J32
Approximately how old was J32 when she died?
18 years
What are the three pods found in the SRKW population?
J, K, and L
What do Southern Resident killer whales eat?
Chinook Salmon
Does every killer whale speak the same language?
No, every pod has a different kind of language/dialect.
How do PCBs get into the environment?
Leaching from industrial equipment
How were they able to identify J32 when she was found?
She has 3 distinct white scratches on her side
What is the difference between Resident Killer Whales and Transient Killer Whales?
Resident killer whales are localized to one area and eat exclusively salmon. Transient killer whales eat marine mammals and move around more in search of prey.
What do Transient killer whales eat?
Marine Mammals
Where are PCBs stored in the body?
Fatty tissue
Why was the death of J32 particularly tragic?
She was pregnant, and Orca births are somewhat rare.
Why don't killer whale fathers stay with their children?
Killer Whales stay with their mothers for life.
What is the definition of a Producer?
Organism that makes its own food, usually from the sun
How do killer whales find food?
Echolocation
How do the PCBs get into the bloodstream?
Burning of fat either due to exertion of energy or malnutrition
How were scientists able to tell that J32 was malnourished?
Thin, dry blubber
What is the smallest grouping in a killer whale population?
Matriline
Other than an orca, what are three consumers in the Salish Sea Food Web?
Zooplankton, Pacific Herring, Pacific Hake, Chinook Salmon
Why is some navigational technology used by boats confusing for orcas?
Sounds produced by the boats sound similar to killer whale calls.
What is biomagnification?
Increasing concentrations of toxins at higher trophic levels
What were three factors contributing to J32's death?
Death of the fetus, septic infection, trouble expelling fetus, digestive issues, PCB contamination, malnourishment
What size is considered a healthy killer whale population?
What would be the effects on the Salish Sea Food Web if zooplankton were to become extinct?
Increase in phytoplankton, collapse of food web
How does ocean noise impact the Orcas' ability to find food? (2 reasons)
-Scares away the food
-Interferes with echolocation
How do PCBs affect orcas once they enter the bloodstream?
Neurological and reproductive symptoms