Orcas in Puget Sound

Local Orcas Listed As Endangered:

Seattle Aquarium Steps Up Its Education Efforts

Orcas around the world are not endangered, but Granny's clan, the Southern Resident Community (SRC) is special. The SRC has three pods or family groups (J, K, and L) that total a generically distinct group of 90 whales. These local orcas are primarily salmon feeders and each pod uses a language of unique calls to communicate. 

Before much was known about orcas, many were taken from Puget Sound for display in captivity. Almost half of the orca population was removed before a moratorium on capturing local whales was put in place. With only 70 Southern Residents left in the wild, pressure from the increasing human population in our region brought new perils. Depleted salmon stocks made finding food harder and toxic contaminants made their way into the orcas' food chain. Sadly, our orca whales are considered some of the most contaminated animals on earth. Toxins stored in blubber can cause reproductive problems and are passed via a mother's milk to her calf. Orcas are very acoustically sensitive animals and depend on echolocation to find food, navigate and stay in touch with family. Growing evidence suggests loud or persistent underwater noises stress and disorient the whales. If you think the paparazzi are intense in Hollywood, you should see - and hear - all the boaters on the water trying to get a glimpse of these majestic animals.

The Seattle Aquarium educates the public about orca whale conservation at our Puget Sound Orcas Family Activity Center. We have also teamed with a dynamic outreach program called Killer Whale Tales to bring orca research and conservation to the classroom. We are constantly making progress on our own "Green Practices" at the Aquarium and encourage you to do the same. Switching to green gardening practices and keeping pollutants out of waterways and storm drains can help keep the marine environment clean. Land-based whale watching is a gentle way to see orcas but if you are boating, know the guidelines and stay at least 300 feet away from any marine mammal. Be an orca whale advocate by getting in touch with organizations and legislators who are also trying to help.

 What is the "Killer Whale Tales" Progam all about?? Since 2000, Killer Whale Tales has been  bringing the virtual field to classrooms throughout the region. Sharing a unique blend of storytelling and experimental science activities, the program challenges students to sharpen their critical thinking skills and to take the conservation of our Southern Resident orcas into their own hands.

Other Important orca resources:

National Marine Fisheries Service orca information

Information on land-based viewing, orca adoptions and more!

Leading orca research project

Where are they now?

Help save Puget Sound

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