Orcas

133 Stories

Environment

The scramble to help Chinook salmon past landslide danger zone

One of the most important food sources for the Northwest’s endangered orcas was devastated by a rockslide.
John Ryan
Environment

Novel virus could spread rapidly among orcas

Some Northwest residents don’t do social distancing well, which leaves them especially vulnerable to an outbreak of a highly contagious respiratory virus. These residents are orcas.
John Ryan
Pandemic gives Pacific Northwest whales a respite from din of underwater noise

American and Canadian marine scientists -- and one talented dog -- are seizing an unexpected opportunity presented by the coronavirus pandemic. They are...
Tom Banse
Environment

Plastic with your seafood? Same question goes for otters and orcas

It was a dark and slippery early morning on the Oregon coast when researchers scrambled down the rocky shore in the small town of Yachats. They kept one eye on the crashing waves while scanning for two species of Pacific Northwest sea life that are now being checked for microplastics — fibers and fragments less than 5 millimeters long.
Tom Banse
Environment

PNW coast could be protected as orca habitat

NOAA is expected to announce plans to expand protected habitat for endangered orcas to include all of WA, OR and northern California.
Tom Banse
Environment

Federal lawsuit seeks 'no-go zone' to protect Puget Sound orcas

Paige Browning talks with Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance executive director Janet Thomas about a lawsuit against NOAA.
Paige Browning

Andy Hurst
Environment

They’re back! Endangered orcas surface off San Juans after nearly 6 weeks away

Southern resident killer whales returned to their usual summertime haunts on Thursday for the first time since July 6, to the delight of San Juan Island’s human residents.
John Ryan
Arts & Life

Does eating less Chinook salmon help endangered orca whales?

It’s been about a year since some local businesses decided to stop selling chinook salmon as a way to help ailing orca whales.But does it really help?
Ruby de Luna
Environment

Wheat farmers fear extinction if Snake River dams are removed to help orcas

In the southeastern corner of Washington state, wheat goes down the river, while salmon are trucked up around dams on the road. “And taxpayers pay for all of it,” said Sam Mace, with Save Our Wild Salmon.
Eilís O'Neill
Environment

Take out Ballard Locks, state senator says

With calls to take down dams on the Snake River to help salmon habitat, a Whatcom County Republican wants to take a look at changing some of Seattle's major waterways.
KUOW Staff

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