Changing Durations of Southern Resident Killer Whale Discrete Calls

The increase of mean durations of discrete calls demonstrated here indicates that the Southern Residents are making a behavioral adjustment as a result of vessel noise. Because they are adjusting their vocal behavior, we must consider the very real possibility that engine noise is hindering their ability to communicate, and may well impact their efficiency at using acoustics to forage and navigate, as well. The results presented here underscore the importance of future research concerning the impact of vessel noise on Southern Resident killer whales and should be considered in the development of new conservation and management plans.

Click - Paper

Fraser River Chinook Salmon Main SRKW Prey Species

Species and stock identification of prey consumed by endangered southern resident killer whales in their summer range

ABSTRACT: Recovery plans for endangered southern resident killer whales Orcinus orca have identified reduced prey availability as a risk to the population. In order to better assess this risk, we studied prey selection from 2004 to 2008 in 2 regions of the whales’ summer range: San Juan Islands, Washington and the western Strait of Juan de Fuca, British Columbia. Following the whales in a small boat, we collected fish scales and tissue remains from predation events, and feces, using a fine mesh net. Visual fish scale analysis and molecular genetic methods were used to identify the species consumed. Chinook salmon, a relatively rare species, was by far the most frequent prey item, confirming previous studies. For Chinook salmon prey, we used genetic identification methods to estimate the spawning region of origin. Of the Chinook salmon sampled, 80 to 90% were inferred to have originated from the Fraser River, and only 6 to 14% were inferred to have originated from Puget Sound area rivers. Within the Fraser River, the Upper Fraser, Middle Fraser, South Thompson River and Lower Fraser stocks were inferred to currently be sequentially important sources of Chinook salmon prey through the summer. This information will be of significant value in guiding management actions to recover the southern resident killer whale population.

*Email: brad.hanson@noaa.gov

Orchive Tapes 232B-235B

232B - Aug 04, 2004 15:57, 95 - Annotations
Faint calls, boat noise.
Whales - A30,A12,A36,A11,A35,A73,A24,A4 2,A43,A25,I15

233A - Aug 04, 2004 16:44, 12 - Annotations
Lots of boat noise, faint calls, nice clear calls towards end of tape.
Whales - A30,A12,A36,A11,A35,A73,A24,A4 2,A43,A25,I15

233B - Aug 04, 2004 17:31, 32 - Annotations
Some boat noise, faint calls, echolocation.
Whales - A30,A12,A36,A11,A35,A73,A24,A4 2,A43,A25,I15

234A - Aug 04, 2004 18:19, 35 - Annotations
Boat noise, faint calls.
Whales - A30,A12,A36,A11,A35,A73,A24,A4 2,A43,A25,I15

234B - Aug 04, 2004 19:06, 65 - Annotations
Heavy rain, boat noise, few calls.
Whales - A30,A12,A36,A11,A35,A73,A24,A4 2,A43,A25,I15

235A - Aug 04, 2004 19:54, 18 - Annotations
Loud ambient noise, very faint calls, dolphins.
Whales - A30,A12,A36,A11,A35,A73,A24,A4 2,A43,A25,I15

235B - Aug 05, 2004 04:11, 81 - Annotations
Quiet ambient noise, dolphins at start, nice I15's calls.
Whales - A30,A12,A36,A11,A35,A73,A24,A4 2,A43,A25,I15

A23 matriline at rubbing beach

232A

232A - Aug 04, 2004 15:10, 48 - Annotations
Lots of boat noise, few faint calls, echolocation.
Whales - A30 A12 A36 A11 A35 A73 A24 A4 2 A43 A25 I15

Orchive Logs - 2004 (230-231)

Tape Date Annotations
2004 230A Aug0404 06:49 76 - good calls
2004 230B Aug0404 07:42 29 - orcas rubbing
2004 231A Aug0404 13:38 196 - orcas rubbing
2004 231B Aug0404 14:22 32 - calls and echolocation

ORCHIVE

There are a total of 14862 recordings, each of which is 45 minutes long for a total of 668790 minutes of audio. If you listened for 8 hours per day, it would take you 3.8 years to listen to all the recordings.

ORCHIVE

Luna Files

First recordings of Luna, discovering him making southern resident killer whale discrete calls in Nootka Sound, British Columbia 2003. (see report)

New Calf J47

J35's new calf J47 was encountered in Puget sound by NOAA on January 3rd. This is the first calf born this year to the southern residents, a positive new year sign for this endangered population of killer whales.


pink baby

baby pusing

CWR

Dolphins should be treated as 'non-human' persons

Dolphins have long been recognised as among the most intelligent of animals but many researchers had placed them below chimps, which some studies have found can reach the intelligence levels of three-year-old children. Recently, however, a series of behavioural studies has suggested that dolphins, especially species such as the bottlenose, could be the brighter of the two. The studies show how dolphins have distinct personalities, a strong sense of self and can think about the future.

Times

Earthquake Kills Sperm Whales

An earthquake in the Ionian Sea occurred on Nov 3 and possibly ruptured the sinuses of a pod of sperm whales. These air sacs are necessary for echolocation and therefore the animals could not dive, feed, or navigate causing them to become disorientated and wind up in the Adriatic Sea. As a result the family group, of seven sperm whales, became too weak and were washed ashore between December 10th and 11th on the coast of Italy in the Southern Adriatic Sea. Mass strandings of sperm whales are extremely rare in the Mediterranean, and limited to ancient times. These include a stranding of 16 near Sicily in 1734, and a stranding of six occurred in the northern Adriatic Sea in 1853.

BBC

Photos

Film

Cascadia Research 2009

Killer Whale Field Projects

NZ KW

- Courious killer whale investigate snorkelers.

- Killer whales understand the behavioural consequences of sharks.

A Star is Born!

polaris

Southern resident killer whale Star/J46 was born to 16 year old Polaris/J28 on November 11th. Five babies have been born to this population this year L112, L113, J45, J44, and J46 with zero losses, good news for this Endangered species of now 87 members. Gestation takes 17 months and calves are often born in the fall and winter due to a spring and summer mating season. A firstborn calf can be stillborn due to the toxic offload of PCBs and fire retardants from their mothers, succinct offspring have a better chance at survival. Polaris' mother J17 has the newborn J45 and will assist in the raising of Star.

Polaris J28 female b.1977

cwr
5 calves
tc

New killer whale photo-ID catalog

It is the first photo-identification catalog of tropical pelagic killer whales. 195 individual killer were identified in the eastern tropical Pacific between 1986 and 2006. The catalog yields information on the geographic movement and external morphology of this little known population of killer whales.

Catalog Link

Shell offshore oil drilling in the Arctic

Conservation groups based in Alaska have accused the Obama administration of repeating the mistakes of George Bush after it gave the conditional go-ahead for Shell to begin drilling offshore for oil and natural gas in the environmentally sensitive Beaufort Sea.

Offshore Killer Whale Consultations

In April 2009, COSEWIC re-assessed the status of the Offshore Killer Whale, changing it from special concern to threatened; it will now enter the legal listing process for potentially changing its status under SARA. At this stage, it is important for the public to learn more about the species being considered for re-listing, and to provide input before a decision is finalized.

Survey

Offshores

A12 & A36 Boys

Proposed Offshore Killer Whale Management Plan

The offshore killer whale is a marine mammal and is under the responsibility of the federal government. The Species at Risk Act (SARA, Section 65) requires the competent minister to prepare management plans for species listed as special concern. The offshore killer whale was listed as a species of special concern under SARA in 2003. The development of this management plan was led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific Region, in cooperation and consultation with many individuals, organizations and government agencies, as indicated below. The plan meets SARA requirements in terms of content and process (SARA sections 65-68). Success in the conservation of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in this plan and will not be achieved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada or any other party alone. This plan provides advice to jurisdictions and organizations that may be involved or wish to become involved in activities to conserve this species. In the spirit of the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans invites all responsible jurisdictions and Canadians to join Fisheries and Oceans Canada in supporting and implementing this plan for the benefit of the offshore killer whale and Canadian society as a whole. The Minister will report on progress within five years.

Link - Offshore Recovery Plan

Bere Point Eagles

The bald eagle historically ranged throughout North America and are now only found in Alaska, Canada, Florida, and the Northwest America. The bald eagle mates for life and breeds in old growth forests. During the winter these animals disperse inland to forage in rivers upon salmon. The Bald Eagle has a maximum 8-foot wingspan. Bald eagles are piebald animals, lacking pigment, resulting in a white head and tail feathers. Their beak, feet, and irises are yellow, legs are not feathered and they have short powerful toes with long talons. The front 2-hold their prey and the 3rd hind toe has the largest talon used for piercing. The body of the bald eagle is black and juveniles are brown, mottled with white.





Threats to the eagle include noise pollution, industrial contaminates (decreasing egg shell thickness), decreased food availability, and habitat destruction. Encroaching civilization decreases these bird populations. Land development and logging also threaten the survival of salmon streams, a major food source for both birds and humans. Maintaining healthy green spaces near coastal habitats can protect these species. Using organic, biodegradable products, recycling, and decreasing our carbon footprint can all decease pollutants, thereby producing a cleaner, healthier, and more productive environment.

the gods