Killer whale biology and conservation

In the north Pacific, aka the marine waters off of the west coast of North America and Canada, there are three main types of killer whales; offshore, transient (Bigg’s), and resident killer whales. Of these three ecotypes, only transients and Southern Residents are regularly seen in Washington’s marine waters.

Records indicate that transients and Southern Residents split from one another around 100,000 years ago, leading to two different ecotypes which may share the inland and coastal waters of Washington and its neighbors to the north and south, but are genetically, behaviorally, and socially distinct.

To the average viewer, transient and Southern Resident killer whales may appear nearly identical. Still, there are some subtle and not-so-subtle differences that distinguish the two types of orca.

• Diet: Southern Resident killer whales are fish-eaters, and subsist on a diet that is made up almost exclusively of Salmon. In fact, research indicates the Southern Residents have a strong preference for Chinook salmon, which has been shown to make up almost 80% of their diet. Transients, meanwhile, prey largely on marine mammals and will eat seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, and other whales, as well as the occasional squid.
• Appearance: Transient killer whales often will have straighter dorsal fins and mostly solid white patches behind their dorsal fins, a unique marking known as a saddle patch. Southern residents, on the other hand. Have more rounded dorsal fins and are more likely to display open saddle patches. 

(Originally published at orca.wa.gov)

Killer whales have existed for more than 50 million years, though they looked quite different originally. Scientists believe killer whales evolved from land-dwelling mammals in a process that took millions of years to become the whales we see today.

Many Indigenous communities along the Salish Sea tell stories about the creation of killer whales. The Tulalip Tribes, for example, tell of brothers who used to hunt for seals, salmon, and shellfish in the Salish Sea and share their catch with the community.

One day, following a disagreement, the brothers decided to leave their home and begin a new life in the waters where they had long hunted. Eventually these brothers became killer whales and continued providing seafood to Coast Salish people during famine. Their descendants are said to be the Southern Residents, which still hunt for Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea.

Killer whales have a complicated modern history—they used to be hunted to protect the fishing industry and dozens of them were captured to be put on display. In addition to this, pollution, lack of food, climate change, and excessive boat traffic and noise have put them at risk of extinction.

First official counts of Southern Residents weren’t until 1974 and only 71 whales were found. This count came after more than 30 whales had been captured to be put on display in marine parks.

The population slowly rebounded and by 1995 the population peaked at 98 whales. By 2001 though, these increases were nearly erased and only 80 whales remained.

Today, the Southern Resident population continues to struggle. As of a July 2024 census, only 73 Southern Residents remain, divided among three pods, or family units; J Pod, K Pod, and L Pod. 

Despite their endangered listing, the Southern Resident killer whale population has continued to decline, signaling that they need additional intervention in their recovery. WDFW is committed to conserving and protecting these iconic animals and is working tirelessly to support their return from the brink of extinction. In addition to serving on Governor Inslee's Southern Resident Orca Task Force, some of our recent efforts to support southern resident killer whale recovery include: 

• Carefully managing fisheries to avoid impacts to killer whale and Chinook salmon recovery, including a new 10-year Puget Sound Chinook Harvest Management Plan.
• Leading salmon habitat restoration projects throughout Puget Sound.
• Supporting additional protections for forage fish and salmon.
• Increasing the number of salmon produced at hatcheries by more than 26 million annually and making improvements to state hatcheries. Learn more in our video.
• Decreasing impacts of predatory fish on salmon. The Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted liberalized bag limits for bass, walleye, and channel catfish in December 2019. These limits went into effect Feb. 17, 2020.
• Developing a comprehensive state statewide culvert remediation plan to support orca and salmon recovery through the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board.
• Expanding support for management of pinniped populations on the lower Columbia river and its tributaries in an effort to increase the amount of Chinook salmon available for Southern Resident orcas.
• Ramping up outreach and education, and enforcement of Be Whale Wise regulations to protect SRKW. Watch our Be Whale Wise video.
• Adopting rules for commercial viewing of Southern Residents. Learn more on our Commercial Whale Watching Licensing Program web page. 

Learn more in our blog post. 

How you can help 

• Follow Be Whale Wise regulations and guidelines outlined above.
• Report sightings to WhaleReport: If you see a whale from land or at sea, report your sighting to WhaleReport. Reporting your sightings to WhaleReport is the fastest and most reliable way to ensure that large vessel operators and WDFW Enforcement are aware of whales’ presence. The more that people use Whale Report, the better protected the whales will be. Download from the App Store or Google Play.
• Consider volunteering to restore salmon habitat. Contact your local Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group to learn more about opportunities, such as tree plantings or work parties, to give back to streams and rivers in your community.
• Opt for a personalized license plate.  For more than 40 years, the sale of personalized license plates has been the primary source of funding for the management of endangered wildlife, including killer whales. You can buy personalized plates through the Washington Department of Licensing — initial fees and renewal fee varies by location and type of vehicle. A portion of sales — $2 from each plate purchased — supports the care and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.
• Support clean, healthy water. Whether it's fixing a car leak, or planting native plants in your yard, there are a lot of small ways you can support clean, healthy water. Visit Puget Sound Starts Here to learn more. Consider products that are safer for the environment. Look for the Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice label to limit the use of chemicals that end up in our waterways.
• Be an Orca Steward! Learn more about additional ways you can help the Southern Residents from our friends at The Whale Museum.