Tag: killer whale survival

What’s for dinner? Scientists unearth key clues to cuisine of resident killer whales

sarah JonasResearch Results

Scientists have discovered the cuisine preferences of two resident killer whale populations: the Alaska residents and the endangered southern residents. The two populations show broad preference for salmon, particularly Chinook, chum and coho. But they differ in when they switch to hunting and eating different salmon species, as well as the other fish species they pursue to supplement their diets.

Northern and southern resident orcas hunt differently, which may help explain the decline of southern orcas

sarah JonasResearch Results

In the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, southern resident orcas have experienced no net population growth since the 1970s. But northern resident orcas, with a similar diet and territory, have grown steadily. A new study may help explain why: The two populations differ in how they hunt for salmon, their primary and preferred food source.