I run the World Wide Killer Whale Database, which can be found on the sidebar on the computer icon. I post and reblog a mixture of art and pictures. Currently, I claim no ownership of any images that I post and will source my photos and link back to their page. For any images that are mine, I will make sure to state ownership.
Also, let’s make 2023 the year we get this man out of our circles and the public’s favorable eye.
https://twitter.com/d_delphinidae/status/1611660484381663232 (long, multi-video thread)
With profound sadness, the Center for Whale Research announces the passing of our beloved founder and longtime leader Kenneth C. Balcomb.
Ken’s family and loved ones surrounded him in his final hours on December 15, 2022. He was 82 years old.
Ken was a pioneer and legend in the whale world. But more importantly, he was the North Star, a guiding light. Over half a century of whale research and advocacy, he lit a path for tens of thousands to follow. He was a scientist with a deep-rooted love and connection to the whales and their ocean habitat. He inspired others to appreciate both as much as he did.
Ken spent much of his career detailing and documenting the lives of the Southern Resident Orca population in the Pacific Northwest’s Salish Sea. His groundbreaking Orca Survey study determined that the Resident orcas needed more food abundance in a healthy habitat to survive. He continually heralded his message to the world: “No fish, No Blackfish.” [No Chinook salmon, No Southern Resident orcas].
The Center for Whale Research’s Southern Residents orca research began in 1976; it is the longest study of this population. Ken’s goal was always for CWR’s research to continue for 150 years, provided there were whales to study. All of us at CWR share Ken’s vision and mission to preserve and protect the magnificent Southern Resident killer whales. He often said about the critically endangered Southern Residents: “I’m not going to count them to zero, at least not quietly.” The CWR board of directors and staff are dedicated to continuing Ken Balcomb’s life’s work.
Thank you, Ken. We will carry you in our hearts forever.
Images and words courtesy of the Center for Whale Research
---v Snini’s words v---
I never got to meet Ken in person, but I did have the privilege of hearing him give a presentation during an online webinar. I remember that when he switched tabs, there was a document on in the background (I believe it was a report from NOAA) that he had written a note over saying, “Can we get a word count on this?” and during that presentation, he had expressed his frustration on the lack of salmon recovery being done by the government, saying something along the lines of, “Whales can’t eat words and if they put one salmon in the river for each word they typed, there wouldn’t be a salmon issue.” I know he, like Michael Bigg does, will continue to inspire others to continue his work. I wish I could have met him, but he will continue to be the reason I aspire to do research. I hope he rests easy and my heart goes out for his family and the Center for Whale Research.
On Monday night in South London, armed police trapped a black man named Chris Kaba inside a car and executed him through the windshield. He was 24 years old. Today, a protest march demanding justice for his murder was broadcast on Sky News, who reframed it as a moving tribute to the queen by thousands of grieving subjects.
Some of the lowest, most despicable shit I've ever seen from the British media and believe me when I say I've some depraved stuff in the past.
On May 26, the Center for Whale Research staff encountered J pod during a photo-ID and aerial observation survey. The whales were very social, with lots of rolling both under and at the surface. During this encounter, the team managed to capture photographs and drone video of the ventral side of the pod’s youngest member, J59. From this, the team was able to determine that J59 is a female.
Having another female is good news for the southern residents; the population’s growth is largely limited by the number of reproductively aged females. While one calf won’t save the population, we hope that J59 can grow to adulthood and contribute to future generations of southern residents.