SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE
(Orcinus orca)
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
CURRENT THREATS
CURRENT STATUS
SPECIES OVERVIEW
Southern Resident killer whales are an endangered population of orcas that inhabit the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest. Their population currently averages around 74 individuals, making them one of the most at-risk marine mammal populations in the world. These whales are highly social and live in close-knit family groups, forming lifelong bonds that are central to their survival and communication.
Southern Residents are specialized hunters that feed primarily on fish, with a strong preference for Chinook salmon. This reliance on a single prey species leaves them especially vulnerable, as Chinook salmon populations have also declined significantly across the region. The fate of the Southern Resident killer whales is closely tied to the health of their food supply and the ecosystems that support it, underscoring the urgency of protecting both the whales and the salmon they depend on.
SPECIES RANGE
The Southern Resident killer whales inhabit the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest, ranging from central California through Oregon and Washington and into British Columbia. They spend much of the year in the Salish Sea, including Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where they forage primarily for Chinook salmon. Their seasonal movements follow salmon runs along the outer coast, reflecting a strong dependence on healthy, interconnected marine ecosystems across international waters.
THE PROBLEMS
Southern Resident killer whales are declining due to a combination of human-caused threats that impact their ability to survive and reproduce. The most significant challenge is the loss of Chinook salmon, their primary food source, which has declined because of habitat destruction, dams, overfishing, and climate-driven changes. At the same time, toxic pollutants accumulate in their bodies, interfering with immune and reproductive health, while increased vessel traffic creates noise that disrupts communication and hunting. Together, these pressures place immense strain on this already small population and underscore the urgent need to protect both the whales and the ecosystems they depend on.
WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WHY
To advance recovery efforts, NMMF and the SeaDoc Society developed a comprehensive medical database that brings together health data from both live and deceased whales.
Now, with support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, SRKW experts at The Center for Whale Research, in partnership with NMMF and the SeaDoc Society, are moving the database to an online platform. This will make it easier for researchers to access and collaborate, opening the door for broader engagement across the research community and stronger cooperation to protect these iconic whales.
Acoustic Monitoring
Researchers have long used underwater recorders to detect vaquita clicks. Building on that foundation, we began developing smart acoustic buoys that can identify vaquitas in real time, relay data instantly, and alert teams to nearby vessels – creating faster, more effective protection for this critically endangered species.
Drone-Based Health Assessments
We initiated development of SEAHAWC, an AI-enabled drone designed to identify individual vaquitas, assess health, and monitor for illegal fishing activity, all without disturbing the animals. Training local community members in its operation will ensure lasting, locally led protection for vaquitas.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Your support helps protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales and other marine mammals through science-driven research, veterinary care, and conservation action. Donations directly support efforts to understand the threats these animals face, restore critical habitat, and improve the health of marine ecosystems they depend on for survival.
