Author Archives: Whitney Neugebauer

President of Orca Behavior Institute (OBI), Monika Wieland-Shields shares her thoughts on the 2018 Orca Task Force in Washington State and discusses the urgent need for the public to submit comments on the final Draft Recommendations Report. She also shares some of the important research OBI is doing to inform policy decisions being discussed at the Task […]

Killer whale researcher turned salmon scientist and wild salmon advocate Alexandra Morton joins the Whale Scout podcast to share about her work. Beginning with studies of captive killer whale acoustics, Corky the orca lead her to British Columbia to the rest of her wild pod. From there, salmon farms moved in and Alexandra Morton stepped […]

Meet the Directors of the new documentary series, Coextinction. Elena Jean and Gloria Pancrazi describe the film and the movement they’re hoping to create saving endangered Southern Resident orcas and the salmon they depend on.

Dr. Hendrik Nollens is a Veterinarian at SeaWorld and member of the NOAA-lead operation to assess and treat J50, also known as Scarlet, an ailing Southern Resident killer whale. J50 has been deteriorating in health over the summer and teams have stepped in to help. This almost 4 year old whale is looking very thin and […]

Sixteen days after the birth and death of her calf, J35 continues to carry the body of the deceased orca as she travels with the rest of her pod. The unprecedented length of time this behavior has continued has begged the question, how might J35 be doing physiologically? At the same time, an operation to try and save J50, another J pod whale who appears in very poor body condition is underway. Learn more with Dawn Noren, Physiological Ecologist at NOAA.

Jeanette Dorner, Director of Mid-Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group, gives us an update on what’s going on in Olympia regarding Atlantic salmon farming and rumors of ramping up hatchery production to provide more prey for killer whales. Whitney shares a story about a local park she is hoping the City of Bothell  will name after redfish, also known as kokanee and Jeanette describes restoration projects in Lake Sammamish.  Plus, more on upcoming events.

Let’s learn about salmon together. In order to protect killer whales in Puget Sound we must understand what’s threatening our salmon and take action. Jeanette Dorner from Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group will be joining us on this and future podcasts to help everyone learn more about salmon.

Lina Rose from King County Parks talks to us about the next Helpin’ Out event at the Maury Island Marine Park. Learn more about the event and why it’s important for whales. Plus, Whitney gives us a news update!