June is Orca Action Month–a perfect moment to learn about the local killer whales with which we share our home. SeaDoc has developed some great resources about orcas, including several great episodes of our web series Salish Salish Sea Wild and a seven-episode podcast series all about the plight and conservation of Southern Residents. Find more about what’s happening throughout June on the Orca Action Month site!
Buy a shirt with this iconic design this week only (June 10-15) at float.org/seadoc to support our work.
POD OF ORCAS
Season One of our podcast is like an audiobook of sorts about Southern Resident Killer Whales. You can start with the very first episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or hit the links below:
SALISH SEA WILD
Most animals don’t like seeing their veterinarians, but when we make a killer whale house call in the open sea, the orcas practically jump into the boat. In this episode of Salish Sea Wild, SeaDoc and our conservation partners bring the latest high-tech gear into the fight to save endangered Southern Resident killer whales. With fewer than 75 remaining, each orca’s life is critically important to the survival of the entire population. We’re treating these amazing animals the same way medical doctors treat their VIP patients. So, who’s ready to tell a wild, 12,000-pound killer whale to stick his tongue out and say “Aaah”?
Our team works with scientists trying to save the Salish Sea’s most iconic and endangered species: the Southern Resident killer whale. The goal is to collect critical health and diet data from each of the 73 surviving animals. So how does a wildlife veterinarian make a house call to do non-invasive medical tests on 10-ton killer whales in the open sea? It takes sharp eyes and a fine mesh net. Join the SeaDoc Society on the latest episode of Salish Sea Wild.
Salmon are born in freshwater and migrate to sea, where they feed and grow before returning to their mother stream to breed and die. Along the way they feed everything from endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales to bugs, bears and the forest itself. Salmon are the cornerstone of our ecosystem, but many runs are in grave danger, particularly the wild Chinook. In this episode of Salish Sea Wild, Dr. Joe Gaydos takes a swim up the Skagit River to get a close-up look at these amazing fish.