Killer whales are found all over the world and live in communities that are totally separate from one another. These ten distinct populations are referred to as “ecotypes”, with five types residing in each hemisphere. This week we will explore the five ecotypes that call the Northern Hemisphere home! Here in the Salish Sea we… Read more »
Killer whales are found all over the world, from the Antarctic to Alaska and New Zealand to Russia. They live in communities that are totally separate from one another, which means Alaskan orca are not hanging out with their Kiwi relatives. Despite this separation, killer whales around the world are still considered to be part… Read more »
Encountering animals in their natural habitat is an incredible and unforgettable experience, but a responsible and worthwhile wildlife tour must be about more than the photo ops. How can you ensure that the experience you’re paying for is a responsible choice for you, the animals, and the environment? Here are a few tips on what… Read more »
One of the Earth’s most mysterious forests is growing below sea level. Kelp forests are the foundation of diverse and unique marine ecosystems around the world. Despite their importance, many people don’t have a full understanding of these undersea trees. While there are many types of seaweed around British Columbia, one of the most noticeable… Read more »
Salmon are an iconic species group in the Pacific northwest. They act as both predator and prey, and their presence is vital to many species, most notably, the endangered southern resident orca. Pacific salmon make up 90% of the diet of a southern resident orca (80% of which is Chinook), and the protection of the… Read more »
Whales are weird, and cool! Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are found all around the Earth’s oceans, in all shapes and sizes. Here’s a few examples of some particularly unique cetaceans, and what makes them special. Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) The grey whale is a strange member of the baleen whale family. Baleen whales… Read more »
Aside from their cultural and economic value, Pacific salmon have a strong ecological value that spreads across lakes, rivers, and deep into the Pacific Ocean. Salmon are a key part of west coast food webs and are especially significant to our endangered southern resident killer whales. There are five species of Pacific salmon: chum, sockeye,… Read more »
From Feet to Flippers Whales and dolphins are beloved animals in many places around the world. From their intelligence and sociability to their sheer enormity, many people are fascinated by the mysterious underwater lives of these majestic creatures. Despite growing curiosity, many people are surprised to discover that whales evolved from land mammals. Cetaceans –… Read more »
When looking at whale research, under-water sound is a huge factor in considering cetacean health and wellbeing. Most whales use a variation of their own pitches to socialize and communicate with eachother, as well as to locate their food. The noises they make vary from clicks and whistles to pulsed calls.
What is the best way to track the behaviors of marine life? We’ll bet ‘canines’ isn’t the first answer that comes to mind. But that’s exactly what a program called CK-9 Orca Skat has implemented through The University of Washington’s Center for Conservation Biology.