Southern Resident Killer Whales Face Decline Without Action

A recent survey reveals concerning trends among the endangered southern resident killer whales, indicating a plateau in their population and a gradual decline that could lead to their disappearance if stronger conservation measures are not implemented. Michael Weiss, a director at the Center for Whale Research, highlighted several factors contributing to this troubling trend during the release of the annual survey on October 13, 2025.

The survey, conducted as of July 1, shows a slight increase in the population, which now stands at 74 whales, up by one from the previous year. While researchers documented four births across all three distinct pods, only two calves survived. Weiss emphasized that the southern residents are not on the brink of extinction in the immediate future, but warned that there is a significant risk of losing at least one pod within the next 50 years if current conditions persist.

Declining populations of chinook salmon, increasing pollutants, and noise from maritime traffic, including cruise ships and tankers, are primary threats to the orcas’ habitat off the coasts of Washington state and British Columbia. Weiss explained, “The population is very inbred, very low genetic diversity, which is probably causing some issues for survival and resilience towards disease.”

The survey highlights troubling reproductive patterns within the pods. Of the 27 males of reproductive age—those older than 10 years—only a limited number are successfully breeding. The oldest male in the K pod, known as K26, was recently reported missing, marking a significant loss given that he had successfully reproduced in the past. Weiss noted, “The only pod that’s growing is J pod,” which has maintained a lower mortality rate in recent years.

In contrast, the K pod is in a precarious state, with only 14 members remaining, the lowest number recorded in the survey’s 50-year history. Weiss pointed out that the last successful birth in K pod occurred in 2022, and prior to that, there had been a decade-long gap. The reproductive rate among female southern residents is significantly lower than that of their northern counterparts, with calf mortality rates around 50 percent in the first year of life.

The survey also noted an alarming demographic trend, with just 11 immature whales younger than 10 years, comprising merely 15 percent of the southern residents’ population. In contrast, immature orcas make up 47 percent of the northern resident population, which is currently experiencing growth.

Weiss underscored the necessity of restoring chinook salmon habitats and adjusting fisheries management as critical steps toward the recovery of the southern residents. “If you’re fishing out in the ocean where everything’s mixed up, it’s really hard to avoid taking fish from these declining populations,” he stated.

Urbanization of the southern residents’ habitat further complicates their survival, as these whales often hunt in areas heavily trafficked by ships. Weiss likened their predicament to “trying to find food on a highway,” illustrating the significant challenges they face in their quest for sustenance.

As conservationists and researchers call for immediate action, the future of the southern resident killer whales hangs in the balance. Without significant intervention to address habitat loss and declining salmon populations, the survival of these iconic marine mammals remains uncertain.