As concern grows over the decline of the southern resident killer whale population following the presumed death of the young female J50, the story off B.C. The most recent count of the northern resident group of orcas reported 309 whales, more than four times the number of southern residents. "The northern killer whale population is doing much better… [and] doesn't seem to be going through the same slow decline," said Lance Barrett-Lenard, head of the cetacean research program at the Vancouver Aquarium. In the same way I think we recognize that these killer whale populations are ancient, unique, distinct cultures," he said. To protect and sustain the northern resident killer whales, Barrett-Lenard said people must me mindful of the factors that have caused the decline of their primary food source.

Source: CBC News September 20, 2018 16:32 UTC