The race to save our orcas: How the Southern Resident population reached an alarming low point

An orca species unique to the Northwest and closely connected to indigenous populations is struggling to survive.
The Southern Resident Killer Whales, or SRKW, currently have a population of 74 whales -- a number expected to drop by one in the upcoming census, according to the Orca Conservancy.
Southern Residents have struggled due to the loss of Chinook salmon population and pollutants in the waters they call home, but whale rounds-up of the 60s and 70s were the first issue to have a negative impact on the population.
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[@theck672]

Thank you for continued coverage and trying to raise awareness to help save the Orcas and save the salmon, and habitat.

[@julierogers1155]

The capture of these wild Orcas in the 1960's and 1970's is HORRIFIC.

[@timmillan6701]

An illustration of this fish is my earliest recollection of learning about sea life at a very young age.

[@squeelin56]

If only these orcas would feast on the local sea lions, I was told by a local native that the pacific northwest orcas don't eat seals and sealions, they only eat fish, if that's true someone needs to introduce seal and sealions to their menus because we definitely don't have a shortage of them

[@makrgo26]

Thanks for going way back to explain the full history of the decline

[@ilovemyfurrykids6607]

🙏❤️

[@erin3292]

🙏

[@semigoth299]

Those hats are similar to the ones they wear in Asia

[@RollGlide]

Fish less salmon, make room for orcas.

[@jeffmeyer4965]

Exactly, if the tribes would just subsistence fish and crab instead of commercially fishing..... Do not net off rivers on tribal land.... have a reasonable fishing season.... Stop following the whales day and night.