Human created noise hinders resident orcas' ability to hunt

As humans have built skyscrapers, factories and highways around the Puget Sound, our environment has become much noisier, and not just terrestrially.

Underwater, humans (and our large cargo ships) have a large sonic impact, too.

New research suggests that cacophony is hurting the survival of some of the original inhabitants of the Salish Sea: Southern Resident orca whales.

Orcas use a series of clicks and vocalizations to hunt down their favorite meal: Chinook Salmon. It’s sort of like a bat using echolocation.

A new study published in Global Change Biology by scientists at the University of Washington and NOAA shows how orcas’ hunting is affected by all that sound we create.

Guests:

Jennifer Tennessen, senior research scientist in the University of Washington’s Department of Biology

Relevant Links:

KUOW: Shhh! The orcas can’t hear their dinner

 

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