Orca success story
Haro Strait, Puget Sound, Washington-Ken Balcomb, lead researcher on Orca, reports that two new calves have been born to L-pod! The calves were born approximately October 13, 2004, and seem to be doing well.
Both mothers have raised calves before which really improves the newborn's chances of survival.
This is very exciting for an Orca population that is in its eighth consecutive year of population decline. Balcomb has found that the levels of PCBs and other toxins in the tissues of these whales are higher than those found in cetaceans from the most polluted waters in the world. And, half the salmon runs that the orcas depend on are threatened with extinction.
For more information, case studies, images and interview please contact:
Zoe Gamble, Press Officer, Earthwatch, on + 44 (0) 1865 318813 / zgamble@earthwatch.org.uk
Editors Notes
Photo credit: ©Misty-Anne Marold