Habitat-based PCB environmental quality criteria for the protection of endangered killer whales (Orcinus orca).

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) face protracted health risks associated with lifetime exposure to PCBs.

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations declined rapidly in environmental compartments and most biota following implementation of regulations in the 1970s. However, the metabolic recalcitrance of PCBs may delay responses to such declines in large, long-lived species, such as the endangered and highly PCB-contaminated resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) of the Northeastern Pacific Ocean....

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in killer whales (Orcinus orca) from the Crozet Archipelago, southern Indian Ocean.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), are ubiquitous environmental contaminants of which significant concentrations are reported in upper trophic level animals. In 1998, we collected blubber biopsy samples (n=11) from killer whales (Orcinus orca) inhabiting the coastal waters around...

Social network correlates of food availability in an endangered population of killer whales, <i>Orcinus orca</i>

Energy content of Pacific salmon as prey of northern and southern resident killer whales

Recovery of depleted species is difficult, but it can be especially complex when the target species interacts strongly with other depleted species. Such is the case for northern and southern resident killer whales Orcinus orca which are listed as ‘endangered’ under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Canada’s Species at Risk Act. These resident killer whales prey heavily on Pacific salmon O...

A Review of Marine Mammal Deterrents and Their Possible Applications to Limit Killer Whale ( Orcinus orca) Predation on Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

This report does not constitute a publication and is for information only. All data herein are to be considered provisional. Abstract The population of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in the western Aleutian Islands has declined significantly and is currently listed as an endangered species. Among the possible limiting factors for this population is predation by transient killer whales (...