Killer Whales : The Natural History and Genealogy of Orcinus Orca in British Columbia and Washington State

by Ford, John K. B.; Ellis, Graeme M.; Balcomb, Kenneth C.

• ISBN13: 9780295979588
• ISBN10: 0295979585
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-07-01
• Publisher: Univ of Washington Pr

Summary

This book presents the results of more than 25 years of research on killer whales in Washington State and British Columbia. Intended for both whale watchers and researchers, this updated edition of the book first published in 1996 contains the latest information about killer whale natural history. It includes over 300 photographs of resident killer whales as well as a genealogical registry that enables readers to identify individual killer whales and their family groups. A special section includes suggestions for whale watchers.

Author Biography

Graeme M. Ellis is a senior marine mammal technician at the Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments	8	(11)
Our Changing Relationship with the Killer Whale	11	(2)
The Development of Our Study	13	(3)
Natural History of the Killer Whale	16	(7)
Distinct Populations: Residents, Transients, and Offshores	16	(1)
Different Lifestyles	17	(4)
Dialects and Population Identity	21	(1)
Population Parameters	22	(1)
Resident Killer Whale Societies	23	(5)
Definitions of Social Structure	24	(4)
Watching Killer Whales	28	(13)
Land-Based Whale Watching	28	(1)
Vessel-Based Whale Watching	28	(1)
Interpreting Whale Activities and Behaviours	29	(2)
Does Watching Whales Bother Them?	31	(10)
Catalogue of Resident Killer Whales	41	(56)
The Naming System	41	(2)
How Whales Are Identified	43	(1)
Catalogue Organization	43	(1)
Sex and Years of Birth and Death	44	(1)
Northern Resident Community	45	(2)
Southern Resident Community	47	(2)
Catalogue	49	(48)
Conservation Concerns and Future Prospects for Killer Whales	97	(4)
Food Supply	97	(1)
Environmental Contaminants	98	(2)
Vessel Disturbance	100	(1)
Population Status and Future Outlook	100	(1)
Glossary	101	(1)
Bibliography	102	(1)
Other Resources	103	(1)
Photographic Credits	104