Purchase a new Raincoast tumbler to help protect Southern Resident killer whales
We use science, the courts, and public education to further recovery efforts for endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
We are so excited to launch our new Southern Resident tumblers. We sourced them from Miir choosing their Climate+ model which boasts no new plastic, 25% less stainless steel, is BPA free, and double-wall vacuum insulated. It can hold 16 oz of hot or cold liquid and has a splash proof lid. They feature art that honors the remaining 75 endangered Southern Resident killer whales by our friend Art by Di.
Southern Residents have been listed as endangered in Canada and the US after their numbers dropped by more than 20% in the 1990s. This was the second known decline in the small population. The first decline occurred when about 50 individuals were captured, or died, during the aquarium trade removals in the 1960s and 70s. More than 120 Southern Residents were likely alive at that time of the captures.
Today, there is a dynamic population (continually changing) that is officially censused by the Centre for Whale Research every July. Two new calves in L pod were recently documented, bringing the total number of Southern Residents to 75.
About our Southern Resident killer whale conservation program
Raincoast has been using science, the courts, and public education to further recovery efforts for endangered SRKW for over a decade. The Southern Residents’ salmon food supply is in decline and their waters are noisy and polluted. Threats that impede their successful birth rates and feeding must be addressed for calves to survive and ultimately for these iconic animals to recover.
In 2019, Raincoast and our partners secured the implementation of recovery measures for Southern Resident killer whales by the Canadian federal government. Our science, public engagement, and legal action resulted in fishery closures, the implementation of interim whale sanctuaries, 400 meter vessel approach distance, and commercial and recreational vessel slow downs.
With the recent federal approval to double the size of the Roberts Bank shipping terminal, already endangered Southern Residents will be affected by more increases in shipping noise. Underwater noise can mask their echolocation signals, making it difficult to successfully catch food and communicate with their family members. The Southern Residents need our support more than ever.
You can help
Raincoast’s in-house scientists, collaborating graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors make us unique among conservation groups. We work with First Nations, academic institutions, government, and other NGOs to build support and inform decisions that protect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the wildlife that depend on them. We conduct ethically applied, process-oriented, and hypothesis-driven research that has immediate and relevant utility for conservation deliberations and the collective body of scientific knowledge.
We investigate to understand coastal species and processes. We inform by bringing science to decision-makers and communities. We inspire action to protect wildlife and wildlife habitats.
