Record/Orcas
01 — Orcas
4 recordsOrcas of the Pacific Coast
Three populations share this coastline. They do not interbreed, do not share dialects, and are not doing equally well.
Comparison
| Population | Individuals | Trend | Listing | Primary prey | Typical group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Residents | 74 | ▼ −4 | Endangered | Chinook salmon | 3 pods |
| Bigg's orcas | ~380 | ▲ +62 | Not listed | Marine mammals | 2–6 |
| Offshore orcas | ~300 est. | — unknown | Data deficient | Sharks (inferred) | 30–100 |
Records
Southern Resident Orcas
A fish-eating population of roughly seventy-four whales, and the most closely watched orcas on Earth.
Bigg's Orcas
Mammal-hunting orcas that share the same water as the Residents and never mix with them.
Offshore Orcas
The least understood of the three North Pacific ecotypes, living far out on the continental shelf.
Behavior & Culture
Orcas pass learned behavior between generations. That is culture, and it changes what conservation means.
