As a child going to SeaWorld was an amazing experience. Being able to see all of this ocean wildlife so up close was seemed surreal. Sure the dolphin show was great, and who doesn't love Clyde and Seamore, but the main attraction was the Killer Whale show. Everyone wanted to go see the orca, and afterward people were very rarely disappointed. Fairly recently the documentary "Black Fish" came out causing a large out-lash against SeaWorld for mistreating their animals and in particular, their Killer Whales. Although this documentary brought light to some of the mistreatment performed by SeaWorld they failed to explain how SeaWorld is but a small problem to the majority of the Killer Whales. Today Orcas in the wild face many issues that are causing their populations to decline. This recognizable decrease in their populations lead “The distinct population segment (DPS) of Southern Resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) to be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on November 18, 2005” (Recovery Plan).
Although the Orca was not listed on the endangered species act until 2005 there were documented changes in their populations years prior. There was a 20 percent decrease in their population from 1996 to 2001(RP). However it was not until 2003 when the orcas were actually recognized as depleted (RP). This recognition encouraged active participation to
When looking at the ecology of the species it isn't that hard to see why these whales are so susceptible to the threats mentioned. The orcas range doesn't vary a whole lot, “Southern Resident killer whales occur primarily in
Washington State and British Columbia in the summer and fall and in coastal
waters in the winter"(RP). In addition to their limited area “The whales exhibit advanced vocal communication and live in
highly stable social groupings, or pods, led by matriarchal females, feeding primarily off salmanoids”(RP). The orcas live in family like groups, meaning that if one whale is affected by a threat, all of them in the group most likely are.
The recovery plan outlines a way in order to stop these threats and help restore the Orcas back to their prior population optimum. Through analyzing each of the major threats scientifically
and strategically, the recovery plan outlines a way to hopefully eliminate some
if not all of the threats to the orcas. The plan manages the numerous threats
and determines which ones should be focused on in a timely and effective
measure. Since it is not completely know which of the threats are the leading
cause of the decline in the species the recovery plan explains its efforts to
efficiently move from one threat to the next if it is deemed controlled or no
longer a large issue. One of the main issues mentioned was the availability of
prey decreasing for the killer whales. In an effort to fix this there will be
habitat restoration and management for salmon. Another main threat to the orcas
is pollution and contamination. Through a process of eliminating, controlling,
and minimizing the pollutants harmful to orcas this threat can become
controlled. The recovery plan outlines the efforts to minimize both vessels and
sound threats by providing guidelines and monitoring for these harmful
activities to these mammals. Although there are other threats besides the ones
chosen, these are the main threats to orcas and through the
elimination of these threats there can be a noticeable return to
their populations. Along with eliminating threats the recovery plan aims to
educate and provide awareness to people, help sick or injured whales, and
continue with research needed. The ultimate goal of the recovery plan is to
delist the whales and eliminate their threats. “It is estimated that it will
take 28 years to complete and close to fifty million dollars.”(RP)
Its crucial that we start acting now, because if we don't help these whales now, when we decide to try it might just be too late.
For more information visit the full final recovery plan http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/whale_killer.pdf
For a closer look at the graph and information some may find easier to read please visit
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