WDC takes action in bid to protect endangered orcas

Together with the Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife, we have filed a petition in the US in a bid to further protect an endangered population of orcas under the Oregon Endangered Species Act.

Although Southern Resident orcas are listed as endangered, the population has continued to decline and so more needs to be done to help them.

It is thought that just 73 Southern Resident orcas remain, divided among three family groups. In recent years, births have failed to outpace deaths among the population. By taking action we hope to spur coordination among relevant state agencies which could then lead to the development of concrete actions to address the primary threats to orcas in Oregon.

These threats include steep declines in prey quality and quantity, high levels of water pollution, noise and disturbance from vessels and other human activity, and the risk of oil spill.

Chinook salmon make up about 80% of the Southern Residents’ diet and the decline of the orca population is heavily connected with the decline of these salmon throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Read more about the Southern Resident orca population and how we are working to protect them.

You can support our ongoing work to help wild orcas recover by making a donation.