Tuesday July 5, 2022
The Bellingham Herald —
Southern Resident killer whales have not had adequate food consumption for several years, which could affect their already small numbers, according to a study released in late June by the University of British Columbia.
Researchers looked at requirements and availability of prey for Northeastern Pacific Southern Resident killer whales. The study found a fluctuating level of salmon from spawning areas on rivers had a detrimental effect on killer whale health, threatening a small and fragile group of whales.
“It really appears like they cannot take (many) more rough years,” Fanny Couture, lead researcher for the study, said in a video interview.
About 75 of the Southern Resident killer whales span from the California coast to Haida Gwaii in British Columbia’s Queen Charlotte Islands. Southern Resident killer whales are unique in appearance and communication.