Orcas are very social and tend to hang out with their kinship group. They will even sleep as a group at times, slowly swimming around while near the surface.
Populations form stable family groups (pods). based on the female line, The most studied populations are off the west coast of North America, which include fish-eating Northern residents, fish-eating Southern residents, mammal-eating transients, and mammal-eating offshore. The southern resident orcas are the smaller of the two groups that strictly eat fish.
The Northern Resident orcas number over 300, including 16 separate pods. Their territory ranges from the west coast of British Columbia and extends to northern California.
They number 74, divided among 3 pods - J, K, and L. The largest pod is L and the smallest pod is K. .The pod closest to me is J.
The territory of the Southern Resident orcas stretches from southern British Columbia to northern California in the north-south direction. They inhabit the waters from Vancouver Island eastto the Puget Sound, next to Seattle.
The southern residents have a closed society, with no emigration, no immigration, and no gene mixing. They do not interact with the Northern group. They do not mingle, hunt together, or mate.
The two groups treat each other like separate species.
The Southern group is listed as endangered. Low population is blamed on inbreeding, boat traffic, and pollution of various types. There are only three pods in the group and therefore onlythree genetic female lines. Eventually, all the individuals will be kin, if not already a fact.
The Southern orcas already show signs of inbreeding. The offspring of inbred parents are more likely to inherit harmful genes, leading to a lower overall survival rate. Of females have a 64% lower chance of surviving to age 40, while males have a 78% lower chance, compared to their less-inbred counterparts. A lack of genetic diversity makes the population more vulnerable to disease and environmental changes, further hindering the recovery efforts.
Southern Resident orcas are inbred due to their small and isolated population, which has resulted in lower survival rates. Genetic studies found that a few males have fathered a significant portion of recent calves. Females are significantly less likely to survive through their reproductive years; compared to less-inbred orcas.
Eventually, the population will shrink to nothing and they will become extinct.
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to save the orcas, these efforts should be undertaken: Observe and look for clues and patterns of behavior, fight pollution, and support salmon (favorite food of the orcas).
Observation studies are being undertaken, Cameras are being employed to study the orcas. Suction cup cameras are attached temporarily to orca individual and the activity is recorded and analyzed.Fixed underwater cameras have been installed, especially at Point Robinson. Thermal energy cameras are used to film at night. University of Washington has installed acoustic sensing cable by San Juan Island. The aim is to capture vocalizations and match them with actions.
Cities and states have ongoing efforts to get rid of pollution Progress has been made but the battle isn’t won yet,
NOAA specifically recommends that if you want to help the orcas, support salmon. West coast states try to clean shore lines and rivers. Groups of indigenous people are making real gains all up and down the coast.
Supply of salmon is increasing, especially in California rivers.
WHAT WE CAN DO
Keep drugs out of the sewer system/ Do not flush unused medications down the toilet. Take them to a pharmacy. Drugs are not neutralized by the water purification system.
Keep pet waste off the ground, because it will be washed to the sea with rain.
Clean with “green” products that are made with natural, biodegradable, and nontoxic ingredients,
Apply Eco-friendly method of lawn care and gardens, with reduced reliance on fertilizers and weed killers.
And if you see the orcas, throw kisses to them. It can’t hurt.
