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  n extended clan of Orcinus orca, or orcas, socialize and forage in the inland waters of Washington State and British Columbia. Both male and female offspring remain with their mothers their entire lives. No other species, and not all orca communities, show lifetime association of mothers with both male and female offspring. Cultural traditions such as lifetime family bonding allow distinct vocal repertoires and complex social systems to develop within each pod and community, unlike any other mammal except humans. Their dialects are similar to human language groups, and assure them a place in their society. Known as the Southern Resident Orca community, or the Salish Sea Orcas, they move gracefully just downstream from an increasingly urban landscape.
But all is not well. Orcas need clean, uncontaminated water and plentiful fish. Salmon, the Salish Sea orcas' main food source, are in historic decline throughout the region. Habitat degradation, industrial poisons such as PCBs, and other impacts of human activities are taking their toll on the orcas we have come to know and love. We are all intricately connected, from tiny plankton to forage fish, salmon, orcas, tall firs and cedars, mountains, rivers and the ocean. It is time to reflect, to reconnect, and to respond as better caretakers of our planet. Orca Network is thrilled to announce the proposal to retire the captive L pod orca known as Lolita to her home waters. Please look over a letter to all supporters, the press release from Raul Julia-Levy, and recent photos of Lolita.
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Or contact info@orcanetwork.org for your copy or copies. 
Go here for Killer Whale Tales' Student Activity Guides for use in classrooms or with kids anywhere.
the natural history of orcas? Go to Orcas of the Salish Sea 2006. |
Orca Network - go to... 
Puget Sound Orca Recovery Plan January 24, 2008 Orca Network's comments on the NMFS Orca Recovery Plan Free Lolita! A Whale Story January 23, 2008 Read the letter here. of Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales See the full paper here (354K pdf) |
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Tulalip Tribes
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington State Ferries
Washington Sea Grant
The Center for Whale Research
The Whale Museum
Puget Sound Action Team
Washington Fund for the Environment
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