In October 2021 sightings networks in Puget Sound such as Orca Network, have been buzzing with the bizarre sighting of a lone Beluga whale far from his or her family in Arctic homewaters. The whale has dazzled whale watchers on boats and from home viewing live helicopter footage from a news station. The beluga’s brilliant … Continue reading "Scientists Respond to the Lone Beluga in Puget Sound"

Celebrating the theme of “We are Family” we’re taking a deep dive into the social interconnectedness of orcas and exploring concepts of culture both in the behavior of whales and our own diverse relationships with the species. This year we’ll be reading the National Geographic magazine “Secrets of the Whales” edition and “Spirits of the … Continue reading "Spirits of the Coast: Indigenous Media Maker Nikki Sanchez Talks New Book"

The recently published National Geographic series Secrets of the Whales takes a deep dive into the cultural lives of whales. On this episode we learn about culture in Pacific Northwest killer whales (orcas) from Dr. John Ford from his 40+ years of experience. What exactly is culture in animals? Why is it such a contentious … Continue reading "Orca Culture: Dr. John Ford Shares His Experiences Studying Whales"

June is Orca Action Month in the Pacific Northwest! Amanda Colbert joins the podcast to give listeners a preview of what’s to come. Here’s a hint: orca-tastic events both online and in-person for the whole family! Learn how to craft a letter to policy-makers, join an art class or trash pick-up, plus SO MUCH MORE … Continue reading "Orca Action Month Special Preview with Amanda Colbert!"

The SeaDoc Society recently launched a new podcast called, Pod of Orcas: Saving Southern Resident Killer Whales. On this episode we talk with Justin Cox, SeaDoc Communications and Marketing Manager about the podcast, how it came about, and how it aims to make a difference for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. To be explored similar … Continue reading "SeaDoc’s New Podcast Shares the Orcas’ Stories"

Dive deep into the world of whales with Secrets of the Whales. On this episode of the Whale Scout podcast we talk with Brian Skerry, National Geographic Explorer and Photographer, about a three-year project uncovering stories of whale culture. The Disney+ original series Secrets of the Whales, from National Geographic, premieres Earth Day, April 22. … Continue reading "Secrets of the Whales with National Geographic Explorer and Photographer Brian Skerry"

Alexandra Morton, an orca communication and behavior scientist turned salmon activist, returns to the Whale Scout podcast to discuss her just-released new book, “Not on My Watch: How A Renegade Whale Biologist Took On Governments and Industry To Save Wild Salmon.” An engaging speaker and storyteller, Alexandra shares the emotional, dynamic ongoing struggle to remove […]

Executive Director of Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, Joseph Bogaard, shares promising news about the future of the Columbia Basin and lower Snake River dams. Idaho Republican Congressman Mike Simpson has proposed a plan to recover salmon with a free-flowing Snake River and ensure the prosperity of regional communities. As of today, the plan would […]

On this podcast we typically closely follow the story of the Southern Resident killer whales, but on this episode we talk with our friend Colleen Weiler from Whale and Dolphin Conservation about her work on North Atlantic Right whales. Join us on a trip to the Atlantic Ocean to learn about these large baleen whales, […]

Learn all about Sound Action’s new project – an underwater camera! This video and audio live-stream will hopefully capture orcas at a popular whale watching spot, Point Robinson, which is also an aquatic reserve in south Puget Sound. Executive Director, Amy Carey shares her personal story coming to protect endangered orcas and the work that […]

Executive Producer and Presenter Alexandra Johnston joins the Whale Scout podcast to share an update on the upcoming film, Searching for Chinook. Footage was captured during the dramatic summer of 2018 on San Juan Island when J35 Tahlequah lost and carried her dead calf on a “tour of grief” and J50 Scarlet slowly and tragically […]

The federal government decided in July of 2020 to keep the four lower Snake River dams in place, knowingly turning against the best option for salmon recovery and for the benefit of endangered Southern Resident killer whales in desperate need of additional prey resources. With this long-awaited and expensive federal already decision made, where do […]

Possibly the best news story of all of 2020, J35 Tahlequah gives birth to a new calf, just two years after her “tour of grief” where she carried a deceased baby 17 days and over 1,000 miles. We talk with Dave Ellifrit and Katie Jones of the Center for Whale Research who were both on […]

Sarah Fesenmyer and Michael Milstein of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration share a new blog series called “Southern Resident Connections.” The blog aims to connect the public with new and exciting research on the endangered Southern Resident killer whales and ways everyone can be involved. Hear about inspiring habitat restoration projects, microplastics found in […]

Following interviews with the authors of Orca: The Whale Called Killer, Listening to Whales: What the Orcas Have Taught us, and Endangered Orcas: The Story of the Southern Residents, your Orca Month Book Club co-hosts Whitney Neugebauer and Colleen Weiler discuss all three books. They compare notes, offer insights and personal experiences, and share hope […]

Learn more from Monika Wieland Shields as she discusses her book, Endangered Orcas: The Story of the Southern Residents. This in-depth book takes a deep dive into the history of our interactions with Southern Resident killer whales, their biology, and current threats to their survival. Perfect for the beginner just dipping their toes into the […]

Hear from Alexandra Morton, author of Listening to Whales: What the Orcas Have Taught Us. The book chronicles her life and the story of raising a young family following Northern Resident orcas in British Columbia. Beginning studying dolphin communication, then the captive killer whale Corky, and finally Corky’s family in the wild, Alexandra Morton weaves […]

Celebrating virtual Orca Month, join the Orca Month Book Club! Read three great orca books: Orca: The Whale Called Killer by Erich Hoyt, Listening to Whales, What the Orcas Have Taught Us by Alexandra Morton, and Endangered Orcas: The Story of the Southern Residents by Monika Wieland Shields. To jump start your reading, Colleen Weiler […]

Looking for a way to help the whales AND stay in shape at home this summer? Join Ariel Yseth’s Summer Salmon Run! Choose an orca or salmon-related group to support and start your own run or walk-a-thon. This new effort is modeled after Ariel’s past fundraisers where she’s raised over $1,000 to run 365 miles […]

The Wild Fish Conservancy’s Kurt Beardslee and Wild Orca’s Deborah Giles join the podcast to discuss salmon fisheries in Southeast Alaska. Wild Fish Conservancy has worked to halt the fishery in court to protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales and salmon populations. Deborah Giles breaks down how important these fish are to killer whales often […]

Some of the most insightful and vital new scientific research is also the least invasive. Researchers such as Dr. Holly Fearnbach are able to use advancing drone technologies to take photos of whales and measure their health over time. Learn more from SR3 on their blog including a recent encounter with J pod in March […]

After decades of litigation, the Columbia and Snake River dams are once again under federal analysis. These salmon were once an enormous contributor of salmon for people, orcas, and wildlife. Their bodies contributed nutrients to marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Now, the Columbia Basin is home to endangered or even extinct runs of salmon. Executive Director […]

Flooding on the Chehalis River prompted a proposal to build a new dam on one of the most pristine rivers in Washington State. As of today, salmon in this river are doing relatively well and Southern Resident killer whales depend on them. Learn more from Lee First of Twin Harbors Waterkeeper and Cindy Hansen of […]

Ropes from fishing gear entangle many species of whales every year. If these lines don’t kill the animal, detrimental injuries often reduce their fitness and ability to forage. The group SMELTS has developed a unique piece of gear utilizing technology for fishermen to call up their gear on demand using a “lift bag” or essentially […]