The Southern Resident Killer Whales Off The San Juan Islands

Our local, or resident orca whales are known as the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) comprised of three pods, or families named J, K and L pods. At the time of this writing, there are 89 whales in this resident community. Killer Whales are the largest of the dolphin family reaching a body length of 30 feet, and weighing 9 tons. They are found throughout the worlds oceans, (mostly cold water) and have adapted to a wide range of habitats and prey resources. They are at the top of the marine food chain.

Killer Whales are not only the largest in the dolphin family, but are believed to be the most intelligent as well. Their brains weigh approximately 16 – 20 pounds. (In a recent article (abc.go.com) a researcher observed that orcas think ahead and plan! The orcas in the tank that he was observing actually set traps for sea gulls by shredding bits of their fish, bringing the first to the bottom of the tank, then releasing the fish to float to the surface where the gulls would land to eat the small bits. Then, the trap would spring; the orcas would rush to the surface and capture the gulls.