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Endangered Orcas Teeter on the Brink as Salmon Stocks Plummet
13 Oct
Summary
- Southern resident killer whales face high risk of pod extinction within 50 years
- Declining chinook salmon, pollution, and noise pollution threaten orcas' survival
- Genetic diversity crisis as population plateaus and shrinks
According to a recent survey by the Center for Whale Research, the endangered southern resident killer whales are facing a grim future. The population currently stands at 74, up by just one from last year, but experts warn that without stronger protective measures, at least one of the three pods could disappear within the next 50 years.
The primary threats to the orcas' survival are declining chinook salmon stocks, which the whales rely on as their primary food source, as well as pollution and noise from cruise ships, tankers, and freighters in their habitat off the coast of Washington state and southern British Columbia. The survey also revealed a concerning lack of genetic diversity, with the population becoming increasingly inbred as their numbers plateau and shrink.
Researchers documented four births among the three pods, but only two calves survived, and an adult male from the K pod, known as K26, went missing in late 2024, a "huge loss" for the already struggling population. The K pod, in particular, is in a dire state, numbering just 14 members and tied for the lowest population in the survey's 50-year history, with the pod not reproducing successfully for nearly a decade.
Experts say restoring chinook salmon habitat, particularly freshwater spawning grounds, and adjusting fisheries to protect the declining stocks are crucial for the orcas' recovery. However, with the southern residents relying on the "last crack" at the migrating chinook, and their urbanized habitat posing additional challenges, the path to survival remains uncertain.
