Comparing and Contrasting Killer Whales in the Salish Sea

This event is hosted by the North Cascades Institute

Orca whales are an iconic species of the Pacific Northwest and in Washington’s inland waters we are lucky to have two distinct populations as our neighbors: the endangered fish-eating Southern Resident killer whales and the thriving mammal-eating Bigg’s killer whales.

n this online presentation, Monika Wieland Shields—co-founder and director of the nonprofit Orca Behavior Institute based on San Juan Island—will cover the natural history of both of these unique populations, introducing you to their unique characteristics and life histories.

In recent decades, as we’ve gained a new appreciation for what are really two different cultures of killer whale, we have also learned about what it takes to live alongside a top predator in the increasingly-urbanized Salish Sea. By comparing and contrasting the trajectories of these two populations, Monika will share what conservation lessons we’ve learned and what it will take to ensure that both populations are able to survive into the future.

Monika is a biologist, wildlife photographer and author of the 2019 book Endangered Orcas: The Story of the Southern Residents. She has a passion for community science and connecting people to whales, working to combine research and storytelling in education and advocacy efforts on behalf of the orcas of the Salish Sea.

If you can’t make this specific date or time, you can still register and we will send you a link to view the class on your own time! All registrants will have access to the class recording for a limited time after the program.

To register or for more information click here.