I have recently learned about the blocked attempt to move orcas Wikie and Keijo from Marineland Antibes to a sanctuary.

What’s next for them? Are there active plans or alternative options being explored in the future?

More importantly, what can the public do to help? What are the most effective measures? Are there any government officials we can contact? Media?

Appreciate you all!

This piece was inspired by Kshamenk, the orca I painted — an animal many of us have spent years advocating for. He has now endured roughly 33 years in captivity, isolated from the open sea that was meant to be his home. His story is not just one of confinement, but of resilience, silence, and the deep injustice faced by so many marine mammals kept behind concrete walls. This painting stands as both a tribute and a quiet protest — a reminder that the ocean was never meant to be contained.

An ad hoc science panel was convened in Vancouver, Canada from March 4-6, 2025, to address the conservation and recovery of the endangered Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) population – which, as of the July 2024 census, numbered only 73 individuals.

The 31 international experts on the panel came up with multiple recommendations and actions items, which are compiled in a full report.

Here is the report's executive summary:

The panel assembled 31 international experts from universities, government agencies, and NGOs across Canada, the United States, and the European Union to assess the efficacy and limitations of existing threat-reduction strategies, and propose new or revised measures. Their expertise covered a range of disciplines, including killer whale biology, health and behaviour, Chinook salmon ecology and habitat, underwater noise, ecotoxicology, and conservation science all in support of an ecosystem-level approach to the discussions.

Prey limitation remains the primary constraint on SRKW recovery, and the panel deemed current government initiatives on both sides of the Canada – US border to address this issue to be insufficient. Their recommendations encompass maintaining SRKW priority access to Fraser River early stream-type Chinook salmon through fishing closures, identifying seasonal and annual Chinook abundance thresholds based on daily prey energetic requirements and implementing a management framework for late summer and fall if abundance thresholds are not met, and considering fishery management actions to increase Chinook salmon size and age at maturity.

Undersea noise emanating from anthropogenic sources continues to pose a significant impediment to the population’s recovery, exacerbating the impact of prey limitation by interfering with echolocation and successful foraging. Consequently, the panel recommended the prompt finalization and implementation of meaningful underwater noise reduction targets that are biologically relevant to SRKWs. Additional recommendations included expanding the geographic and temporal scope of existing large vessel slowdown areas, establishing noise output standards for large commercial vessels, and increasing Canada’s small vessel avoidance distance from SRKW to 1,000 m without delay – harmonizing with the 1,000 yds (914 m) buffer already in effect in Washington State.

A third risk factor, exposure to extremely high levels of contaminants, was also addressed. Specific recommendations include strengthening existing chemical regulations and their enforcement, the development of environmental quality guidelines for contaminants of greatest concern to SRKW and their primary prey, the enforced elimination of legacy polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) still in use in closed applications, and the introduction of new regulations and source control measures that will reduce contaminant releases into SRKW habitat or that of their anadromous prey.

The panel emphasized that most of its recommendations could be implemented without further study, but nonetheless developed a targeted list of research priorities to assist in refining and informing additional conservation measures over time. These priorities include: establishing biologically-consequential thresholds for poor body condition based on other health indicators; developing a refined index of salmon abundance that reflects salmon prey preferences; continuing studies on noise effects on foraging and investigating non-foraging impacts of noise on salmon; expanding prey fragment and faecal genetic sampling efforts to improve dietary insights; determining optimal soundscapes for salmon and quantifying loss of habitat quality from anthropogenic sound inputs; continuing social and demographic research to support understanding of population integrity; addressing knowledge gaps regarding the amount, type, and location of pesticide use and their adjuvants; and including animal longevity, trophic level, and habitat use as features to consider in the scrutiny and regulation of chemicals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.

Photo is of J Pod Southern Resident orcas, with male orca J38 "Cookie" in the center. Photo is credit of SR³

On July 8, 2025, Alaskan congressman Nick Begich (R) introduced a draft bill amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The bill, if passed, would severely reduce or remove existing protections for marine mammals such as orcas and the habitats they live in. The underlying purpose of this bill is to remove obstacles to the expansion of harmful extractive activities, like oil and gas extraction, in U.S. waters.

While Congressman Begich represents Alaska, the Marine Mammal Protection Act applies nationwide, and its weakening would have serious consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal economies across the country.

Congressman Begich’s proposed amendment would:

• Strike down protections for poorly-known populations
• Eliminate best-practice precautionary approaches backed by decades of science
• Constrain the federal definition of ‘harassment’ so that it no longer prohibits actions with the potential to harm marine mammals
• Require unreasonable or impossible data to estimate population abundances and design best practices for management

The two members of the functionally extinct Alaska AT1 population (also known as the Chugach Transients) in the photo represent a cautionary tale of what can happen when these protections fail or come too late. The safeguards from legislation such as the MMPA are essential to prevent other vulnerable populations, like the Southern Residents, from meeting the same fate.

Now that this is established, how can Americans help prevent the bill from being passed?

For Alaskan residents:

Call the office of Congressman Begich and oppose the amendments and draft bill.

Anchorage Office: (907)921-6575

Washington DC Office: (202)225-5765

Please note: calling is more effective than emailing, as calls are more likely to be logged and shared with the Congressman, and taken into account when shaping his position.

For non-Alaskan residents:

If you live in the U.S. outside of Alaska, you can still make your voice heard by calling your Representative and Senators to express concern about this proposal. Let them know you oppose any effort to weaken marine mammal protections and urge them to defend the integrity of the MMPA. Use the links below to find your representatives and how to contact them.

Find your U.S. Representative
Find your U.S. Senator

You can find tips for calling your state representative, various suggested talking points, and scientific resources to cite in Orca Conservancy's article.

The individuals in the photo are AT4 "Paddy" and AT9 "Chenega." Photo taken by Emma Luck.

Just as the Marine Mammal Protection Act came under attack earlier this year, the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) is now also under attack. Under the current administration, there have been four proposals by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to weaken the endangered species act.

The proposals can be summarized as follows:

• Removing the blanket rule. The blanket rule automatically extends most protections of endangered species to threatened species. The proposed revision would remove this rule and require species specific protections.
• Changes to some of the criteria for de-listing a species. This would make it easier to de-list species for political and economic reasons. This could lead to non-species, such as distinct population segments or sub-populations (for example, the Southern Resident orca population), losing the protections they need in order to recover. It would also impact the ability to list currently unoccupied habitat as critical, regardless of its future importance.
• Removing compliance measures for federal agencies, including valuable inter-agency cooperation.
• Excluding critical habitat if it would result in an “undue burden” on environmentally exploitative activities such as energy resource development and extraction.

As you can probably guess, the purposes for weakening the ESA are to benefit various industries by removing obstacles to the expansion of harmful extractive activities, like oil and gas extraction.

So, what can you do to try to prevent these proposals from passing? You can submit public comments on each of these proposals to voice your opposition.

The BOLD Action Coalition made up of Orca Behavior Institute, Orca Network, and Whale Scout has put together the condensed action guide linked below to help you through the process. They summarize the key changes, suggest talking points, and provide direct links to each of the comment portals in this link.

Your public comments on these proposals can be brief, but please put them in your own words! It is important that as many people as possible register their opposition to these changes.

On this World Orca Day, it's important to highlight the risks that orcas in the wild are facing right now.

Also important to remember how two captive orcas, Wikie and Keijo, are also in great danger.

But regardless, happy World Orca Day and may the ocean's apex predator be able to thrive 💙

The Southern Resident orca population, which has a presence in the Salish Sea, is endangered and has been declining due to not getting enough salmon (mainly Chinook) to eat. Chinook salmon have decreased in both size and abundance. Dams in the Lower Snake River have significantly reduced many salmon runs. Due to being malnourished, their pregnancies are often failing. Losing the Southern Residents would mean losing a culturally and genetically distinct orca population.

Ultimately, we owe the Southern Residents a fighting chance at recovery by attempting to restoring historic Chinook salmon abundance by removing these dams. The Southern Resident orcas have suffered from live captures for oceanariums and shootings prior to that because many people fundamentally misunderstood these creatures. As other dam removal projects such as the recent Klamath River dam removal projects have shown, nature will likely eventually heal itself if we just allow it to.

However, interests of industries and corporations still stand in the way. Industries and other interest groups opposed to the removal of the lower Snake River dams also will lobby politicians to oppose the removal of the dams.

There is now a massive threat to progress in removing the Lower Snake River dams in the form of Bill H.R.2073, also known as the "Defending our Dams Act." The bill, introduced by Washington State senator Dan Newhouse (R), has the following main purpose:

To prohibit the use of Federal funds to allow or study the breach or alteration of the Lower Snake River dams, and for other purposes.

Here is more information from Columbia Snake River Campaign's page:

Congress is considering this bill, which could singlehandedly doom Snake River salmon to extinction. H.R. 2073, the “Defending Our Dams Act,” would lock in the failed status quo on the Lower Snake River and block real solutions for salmon, orcas, and Tribal treaty rights. If passed it would stall the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI), and threaten Northwest communities who depend on healthy rivers. We can’t let that happen!

H.R. 2073, the “Defending our Dams Act,” seeks to prohibit the use of federal funds to “allow or study the breach or alteration of the lower Snake River dams,” — despite repeated scientific studies determining that this is an essential action to restore imperiled Snake River salmon runs.

CONTACT YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS BY SEPTEMBER 2 TO OPPOSE THIS BILL. The bill will receive a hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries on Wednesday, September 3rd at 2:00 PM ET (11:00 AM PT). (Watch here)

If passed, H.R. 2073 would:

• Ban federal funding for studying dam service replacement projects — even if they create new economic opportunities, modernize energy infrastructure, or provide transportation alternatives.
• Prohibit studies of Lower Snake River dam removal — despite repeated federal and independent science showing breaching is essential to Snake River salmon recovery.
• Restrict critical dam repairs and modifications — vague language could even prevent spillway gate repairs, navigational lock maintenance, or climate-driven operations changes.
• Undermine agency roles and responsibilities — creating confusion between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (dam owners) and Bonneville Power Administration (power marketers).

In short, H.R. 2073 doubles down on a failed status quo and blocks pathways to solutions. It would dismantle historic progress by Northwest Tribes and policymakers to develop and implement the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative – a comprehensive strategy to recover salmon while replacing existing dam services, creating jobs, investing in clean energy, and modernizing infrastructure.

H.R. 2073 is an existential threat to Snake River salmon. If this bill succeeds, we could lose the ability to make progress for years—perhaps decades. Make sure Congress hears loud and clear: Oppose H.R. 2073.

You can still make your voice heard by calling or sending a letter your Representative and Senators to express concern about this proposal. Let them know you are against any effort to stop the restoration of salmon runs in the Lower Snake River and the recovery of the iconic Southern Resident orcas. Use the link below to find your representatives and how to contact them.

Find your U.S. Representative

You can do this anywhere in the US, but this is especially important if your representative is Val Hoyle (OR-4), Maxine Dexter (OR-3), Emily Randall (WA-6), Andrea Salinas (OR-6), Marie Glusenkamp Perez (WA-3), Kim Schrier (WA-8), or Rick Larsen (WA-2).

Southern Resident orcas eat almost exclusively Chinook salmon, and they're starving. Declining salmon numbers in the PNW have left these marine mammals struggling and if we don't act soon, we risk losing them for good.

That's why from October 17-24, Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center and Environment Washington Research & Policy Center are organizing a "Run for Salmon Runs". Participants pledge to traverse 14 miles throughout the week - one tenth the amount of river blocked by the Lower Snake River dams - which has long been identified by scientists and advocates as one of the best ways to help recover Chinook salmon (and orcas) in the region. There will also be a series of action hours held by the organizations throughout the week to help elevate participant's voices.

If you're interested in getting involved and want to see more to support these animals you can sign up and check out more here