Orca advocates celebrate growth in southern resident killer whale population

The Center for Whale Research (CWR), located in the San Juan Islands, Washington, has completed this year’s annual orca census. 

The organization has been conducting this census to track orca populations in the Salish Sea, including around Vancouver Island, every year since 1976. 

The CWR’s orca survey uses photographic identification to count every southern resident killer whale, identify newborns and determine when whales have died. 

By using the information and photographs collected, the organization produces a count of whales on July 1st of each year. 

Per this year’s annual census of the southern resident killer whale population, the survey showed there were 76 southern residents remaining, which is an increase from 74 individuals counted in 2025. 

The CWR says that the increase is likely due to the births of two new calves—the female K47 and L130 whose sex has not yet been determined. 

According to researchers, K47 is the first calf of female K43, while L130 is the second calf of L91. 

Sadly, two other calves were born during the survey period but did not survive to the census date; however, no other southern residents died during this period. 

Most notably, this census marked the first annual increase in K pod population growth for over 20 years, and the second consecutive year of growth for all southern residents. 

“For southern residents to grow consistently, we need to address the threats they’re facing,” said Dr. Michael Weiss, research director for the CWR. 

“These whales face stress from human-caused noise and disturbance, pollutants and most crucially, a lack of large, fatty Chinook salmon, their primary prey.”

He added that saving the whales means restoring Chinook salmon habitats, improving fishery management and addressing sources of noise and toxicants in the water. 

These matters are all in the hands of local, provincial and federal governments, including the United States and Canada.