ANOTHER ORCA CALF DEATH

Tell Congress to Stop Southern Resident Orca Extinction

On September 12, we witnessed a tragedy that is becoming all too common in the Northwest: a mother orca carrying her deceased calf in the Salish Sea. Southern Resident orca Alki (J36) was seen pushing her newborn’s body​​ in the Rosario Strait. This heartbreaking image mirrors Tahlequah​'s two "tours of grief​​" in 2018 and earlier this year.

While we do not know exactly why Alki’s calf died, the science is extremely clear about the greatest threat to the Southern Residents' survival – lack of salmon. Without bold and urgent actions to ramp up restoration of Chinook salmon populations, their primary prey, these critically endangered whales are headed for extinction within our lifetime.

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WHY THIS MATTERS

Columbia and Snake River Chinook salmon runs are a vital food source for the Southern Residents.

Yet, Snake River Spring/Summer and Fall Chinook populations, as well as Upper Columbia Chinook, all remain listed under the Endangered Species Act, with annual returns falling over 98% below their historical numbers. ​

The Southern Residents' risk of extinction is increasing.

A 2024 study​ warned that current salmon recovery efforts are not sufficient to halt their decline. For these orcas to survive, we need to pull out all the stops on salmon recovery – up to and including removal of the lower Snake River dams. ​

Since the Trump Administration rescinded the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement, there is no federal plan to restore Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead.

The state and Tribe-led Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI) provides a way forward for the entire region, but we need congressional support to make it a success.

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