Orcas and Life-saving Science on the Brink

Southern Resident orcas have lived off the coast of the Pacific Northwest for thousands of years. They have their own language, customs and culture, and they are the most studied population of orcas on Earth. But because of human encroachment on the shores and waters of their territory, they are in dire trouble.

By building out a picture of the whales’ health, habits, and diet, researchers are deciphering the many ways humans impact their lives and guiding conservation actions that may mean life or death for the orcas. But the research itself is now at risk too. Actions by the Trump administration threaten to stall, diminish, or stop a swath of conservation studies at a crucial juncture for Southern Residents—and for other populations that hang by a human-made thread.