Photo by Howard Garrett
Sightings © 1994 Dave Ellifrit
News © 1994 Dave Ellifrit
Captivity © 1997 Howard Garrett
Science © 1994 Dave Ellifrit
Stranding network
Habitat/Salmon © 1994 Stefan Jacobs
Photopage © 2004 Joseph Alicea
Resources © 1994 David Ellifrit
Actions © 2004 Joseph Alicea


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Welcome to Orca Network

Orca Network is dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats.
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An extended clan of Orcinus orca, or orcas, socialize and forage in the inland waters of Washington State and British Columbia. Both male and female offspring remain with their mothers their entire lives. No other species, and not all orca communities, show lifetime association of mothers with both male and female offspring. Cultural traditions such as lifetime family bonding allow distinct vocal repertoires and complex social systems to develop within each pod and community, unlike any other mammal except humans. Their dialects are similar to human language groups, and assure them a place in their society. Known as the Southern Resident Orca community, or the Salish Sea Orcas, they move gracefully just downstream from an increasingly urban landscape.

But all is not well. Orcas need clean, uncontaminated water and plentiful fish. Salmon, the Salish Sea orcas' main food source, are in historic decline throughout the region. Habitat degradation, industrial poisons such as PCBs, and other impacts of human activities are taking their toll on the orcas we have come to know and love. We are all intricately connected, from tiny plankton to forage fish, salmon, orcas, tall firs and cedars, mountains, rivers and the ocean. It is time to reflect, to reconnect, and to respond as better caretakers of our planet.
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Orca Network is thrilled to announce the proposal to retire the captive L pod orca known as Lolita to her home waters. Please look over a letter to all supporters, and recent photos of Lolita.

Orca Network
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Looking for an informative and readable essay on
the natural history of orcas?
Go to Orcas of the Salish Sea.

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