The endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales need your help!
Southern Resident Killer Whales - Painting created by our Co-Founder Peggy Oki
Take action for the 73 endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
Who are the Southern Resident Killer Whales?
The Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) are a distinct population of killer whales (orcas) that inhabit the waters of the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Their habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to Monterey in California. Historically, the SRKWs regularly visited the inland waters of Washington State and British Columbia in the Salish Sea, an area encompassing Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia, but due to the availability of their preferred prey, Chinook salmon, their visits to this area have become more infrequent.
The Southern Resident Killer Whales are known for their complex social structure. They live in tight-knit family groups called pods, which are led by older, post-reproductive females known as matriarchs. Each pod is composed of multiple generations of related individuals. There are three pods identified within the Southern Resident population: J, K, and L pods. Each pod is further divided into smaller family groups called matrilines.
Why are they endangered?
Take Action
The Southern Resident Killer Whales face various threats, including the decline of their main prey, the Chinook salmon, pollution, noise disturbance from vessel traffic, and the cumulative effects of these stressors. As a result, the population has been listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and Canada's Species at Risk Act.
Arguably the biggest threat to the Southern Resident killer whales is the lack of their primary prey, Chinook salmon. Their well-being is intricately linked to the abundance of this specific species. While they also consume other types of fish, such as Sockeye and Chum salmon, these alternatives are less fatty and nutritious.
Over the past decade, the crucial salmon runs in the region have experienced a consistent decline. Various factors, including dams, pollution, urbanization, climate change, and habitat loss, have collectively contributed to the diminishing numbers of salmon. The Southern Residents heavily rely on these salmon runs, and the challenges faced by the fish populations impact the killer whales' health and reproductive success.
As of July 2024, 14 Southern Resident killer whales are classified as “vulnerable” based on photogrammetry (3D measurements from photographs) compared to previous years’ data. Research by SR3 and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has identified these 14 whales as being in poor body condition (BC1), with one whale declining rapidly to sub-normal condition (BC2). Whales in poor body condition are 2 to 3 times more likely to face subsequent mortality.
Take Action
Show your love for the Southern Resident Killer Whales by joining our 'Love Letters for Orcas' campaign to send letters, art letters, postcards, cards or artwork to the Governor of Washington, Bob Ferguson. Let's encourage him to take strong, practical steps to restore wild salmon, protect orcas, honor treaties with Tribal Nations, and support local communities. Please note this campaign is open to people of all countries.
​
​How You Can Get Involved:
​
-
Create something from the heart: Write a letter, postcard, or card, or let your creativity shine with orca or salmon inspired artwork. In this digital age, letter-writing is more impactful than ever. We’ve included a sample letter below to get you started, but we encourage you to add your own touch. If you prefer to make artwork, consider adding a few sentences or key points from the list provided. We also have downloadable cards, letterheads and coloring pages.
-
Share you creation online: Snap a photo of your letter or artwork (making sure to cover any personal details like your address) and share it on Instagram. Tag us at @cetaceans_org and use the hashtag #SaveTheSalmonSaveTheOrca to spread the love.
-
Mail your creation to:
Love Letters for Orcas
c/o D. T. Osh
1821 Schooner Lane
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Important note: If you would like to participate but are concerned your creation won't arrive by the deadline, or perhaps you don't have access to a printer or art supplies, then we have great news! We would still love for you to join the campaign by emailing any letters, photos of your art or digital artwork to teamcetacean@gmail.com and we will print your contribution. We'll gather all the submissions and hand-deliver them to Bob Ferguson for maximum impact.
Our Goal: We’re aiming for 73 letters to represent each of the 73 Southern Resident killer whales. Every letter or piece of art shows how much we love and care. Together, we can make a real impact.
Important Deadline: Friday 14th February - Valentines Day! Show your love for the Southern Resident killer whales by taking action today.
​
Artwork examples to inspire you
Reasons to breach the dams
Salmon and Ecosystem Recovery
The Snake River was once a highly productive salmon river, generating over half of the Northwest’s Chinook salmon and substantial numbers of other salmon species and steelhead trout, totalling 4-8 million fish annually. Salmon sustain ecosystems and economies from the Pacific to the Continental Divide. Their decline has affected over 130 regional species, including the Southern Resident killer whales, who primarily feed on Chinook salmon and are also declining due to this loss. The drop in salmon populations has negatively impacted the health of Idaho’s forests and the diets, cultures, religions, and economies of Indigenous Tribes. Restoring these ecosystems requires a significant increase in wild salmon and steelhead numbers, which, according to the Columbia River System Operations EIS and the NOAA “Rebuilding Interior Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead” report, is only achievable by breaching the lower Snake River dams and restoring a free-flowing river.
Economic Benefits
Breaching the LSRDs will incur short-term costs but offer long-term savings on maintenance and boost the economy through restored fisheries and ecosystem services. The restoration is projected to create up to 25,000 jobs and generate $1 billion annually.
Climate Change
Breaching the LSRDs will help combat climate change. The warm stagnant reservoirs behind the dams emit significant methane gas, which will end with breaching. After the dams have been breached, the restored vegetation along the 140 mile river corridor will sequester a lot more carbon than the current barren banks. Breaching will also bolster carbon storage in the forests and grasslands upstream of the dams, with more salmon bringing more nutrients to these inland areas. Breaching the lower Snake River dams will be a big boost to the Biden Administration's 30x30 program (protecting 30% of US lands and waters by 2030). A 140 mile corridor from Tri-Cities WA to Lewiston ID, over 14,000 acres of valuable wetlands and riparian areas will be restored, providing crucial habitat and connectivity for native wildlife and plants.
Indigenous Rights and Cultural Importance:
Salmon are a vital part of the culture, diet, and economy for many Indigenous tribes in the region. Breaching with lower Snake River dams would help honor treaties and agreements that guarantee fishing rights and support the cultural revival of these communities.
Petitions
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead