Whale researchers are especially interested in tracking the southern resident orcas, which have been in decline for more than a decade. The northern resident orcas, which spend less time in the busy Salish Sea, are faring much better. Resident orcas are very talkative, said Cottrell, much more so than their mammal-hunting counterparts, the transient orcas. The southern resident orcas are facing extinction due to toxins in the water, noise pollution from ships and, most pressingly, a lack of Chinook, their preferred prey. Today, there are 72 southern resident orcas left.

Source: thestar February 02, 2020 23:26 UTC