Tuesday October 1, 2024
KOMO —
Southern Resident killer whales, a critically endangered population that frequents the Puget Sound during the summer and fall, have a more varied diet than previously believed, according to new research.
Dr. Amy Van Cise, a postdoctoral researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Northwest Fisheries Science Center, said “Those big, fatty, delicious, energy-rich, nutrient-dense fish, they are providing a lot of energy to these animals.”
While Chinook, chum, and coho salmon are the primary food sources for these whales, researchers have discovered that their diet extends beyond these fish.
“Outside the summer months, and maybe when they aren’t in the San Juan Islands, they actually eat a lot of things that are not Chinook salmon, which is a cool new finding,” Van Cise said.