Southern Resident Killer Whales Face Slow Decline Amid Urgent Need for Action

The latest survey of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales indicates a troubling trend towards their potential disappearance. According to Michael Weiss, a director with the Center for Whale Research, the population remains stable yet faces a gradual decline without more robust protective measures. This assessment highlights the urgent need for action to address the factors threatening these iconic marine mammals.

The survey, released on October 13, 2025, reflects the population count as of July 1, showing a total of 74 whales, an increase of just one from the previous year. During this period, researchers noted four births across the three distinct pods of Southern Resident killer whales, though only two calves survived. The declining numbers are compounded by the disappearance of K26, an adult male known for his reproductive success, marking a significant loss for the population.

Weiss attributes the decline in the Southern Resident killer whale population to several factors, including the decrease in chinook salmon, pollution, and noise from maritime traffic in their habitat off the coasts of Washington State and British Columbia. He remarked, “We’re not talking about southern residents going extinct in the next five years, but we are talking about a fairly good chance of at least one of the (three) pods being gone within the next 50 years.”

Challenges Facing the Southern Residents

The survey’s findings underline a concerning pattern of genetic inbreeding among the Southern Resident killer whales, exacerbating their vulnerability. Weiss noted, “The population is very inbred, very low genetic diversity, which is probably causing some issues for survival and resilience towards disease.” Of the 27 males of reproductive age, only a few are actively breeding, with a prime reproductive age for males considered to be in their early twenties. Currently, just 12 males are at least 20 years old.

In contrast to their northern counterparts, the Southern Resident females are reproducing at approximately half the rate, and calf mortality rates are alarmingly high, with about 50 percent of calves not surviving their first year. The K pod is in particularly dire straits, with only 14 members, the lowest number recorded in the survey’s 50-year history. Weiss highlights that “What’s really concerning about K pod is they’re just not reproducing,” noting that the last successful birth occurred in 2022.

The situation for the Southern Resident killer whales is further complicated by their reliance on a specific salmon species, the chinook, which has been declining in availability. Weiss explained that Southern Residents often have the “last crack” at these salmon as they migrate from northern waters to rivers along the Pacific coast.

Proposed Solutions and Future Outlook

To improve the chances of survival for these whales, Weiss emphasizes the need for long-term efforts to restore chinook habitat, particularly freshwater spawning grounds. Adjusting fishing practices to prevent overfishing of chinook during critical migration periods is also vital. He stated, “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.”

The urbanization of their habitat poses additional challenges, as the whales hunt in areas heavily trafficked by cruise ships and freighters. Weiss poignantly described their struggle as “trying to find food on a highway,” underscoring the need for immediate action to reduce noise pollution and habitat disruption.

The findings of the latest survey serve as a stark reminder of the precarious state of the Southern Resident killer whales. Without significant intervention and restoration efforts, their future remains uncertain. The community of conservationists and policymakers must prioritize these measures to ensure the survival of this iconic species.