Science Quickly Inside the Struggle to Save an Orca Community
Dec 17, 2025
Kelso Harper, a Senior multimedia editor at Scientific American, shares his insights from the frontlines of conservation involving the endangered southern resident orcas. He recounts a rare encounter with these magnificent whales off the San Juan Islands, discussing their unique culture and the threats they face, including vessel noise and pollution. Kelso also highlights the innovative research methods, like using a detection dog to locate valuable whale feces, and sheds light on the challenges facing funding and policy in orca recovery efforts.
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Rare Boat Encounter With Southern Residents
- Kelso Harper joined researchers on a boat in the San Juan Islands and witnessed southern resident orcas in July.
- They arrived just after the whales returned, making the sighting a rare and fortunate field experience.
A Dog That Sniffs Whale Poop
- Researcher Deborah Giles brings a rescue dog named Eva trained to sniff out whale poop and guide sampling.
- Eva helps the team collect fecal samples from a safer distance, which provide crucial lab data about the whales.
Distinct Culture And Sharp Population Drop
- Southern resident killer whales are a distinct, noninterbreeding population with unique language and culture.
- Their number has fallen to 74 from an estimated near 200 historical individuals.