Whale Scout Podcast

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" The post Scientists Respond to the Lone Beluga in Puget Sound appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 post Spirits of the Coast: Indigenous Media Maker Nikki Sanchez Talks New Book appeared first on Whale Scout.

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" The post Orca Culture: Dr. John Ford Shares His Experiences Studying Whales appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 post Orca Action Month Special Preview with Amanda Colbert! appeared first on Whale Scout.

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" The post SeaDoc’s New Podcast Shares the Orcas’ Stories appeared first on Whale Scout.

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" The post Secrets of the Whales with National Geographic Explorer and Photographer Brian Skerry appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post New Book, Not on My Watch – Interview with author Alexandra Morton appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post A New, Damless, Vision for the Lower Snake River and Columbia Basin appeared first on Whale Scout.

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, […] The post Let’s Talk Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales with Colleen Weiler from WDC appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Sound Action’s New Underwater Orca Camera – Amy Carey appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 post Upcoming Film, Searching for Chinook with Alexandra Johnston appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Feds Won’t Remove Snake River Dams for Salmon, Orcas – Now What? Next steps with Joseph Bogaard appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Researchers’ firsthand accounts of Tahlequah’s new calf, cause for celebration or concern? appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Connecting Orca Science, Policy, and the Community: NOAA’s New Southern Resident Connections Blog appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Orca Month Book Club Recap Discussion with Colleen Weiler and Whitney Neugebauer appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Orca Month Book Club with Monika Wieland Shields, author of Endangered Orcas: The Story of the Southern Residents appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Orca Month Book Club Interview with Alexandra Morton, Author of Listening to Whales appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Orca Month Book Club with Erich Hoyt, author of Orca: The Whale Called Killer appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 post Do-it-yourself walk-a-thon for the whales. Join Ariel Yseth’s Summer Salmon Run! appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post A Group Sues the Government Over Alaskan Fisheries Impacting Endangered Orcas appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Dr. Holly Fearnbach – studying body condition of whales using overhead photos appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post More fish for everyone, Columbia Basin salmon, dams, and orcas. Joseph Bogaard and commercial fisherman Amy Grondin explain. appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post A new dam on the Chehalis River in Washington? Cindy Hansen and Lee First explain what’s at stake. appeared first on Whale Scout.

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 […] The post Rich Riels Describes How “Line-less” Fishing Gear can Save Whales appeared first on Whale Scout.

Gloria Pancrazi, one of the creators of the upcoming film, Coextinction, joins us to talk about Southern Resident killer whales and their close relationship with imperiled salmon runs. Plus, learn more about the upcoming “March for the Dams,” a walk from Portland to the first of the four lower Snake River Dams. *Note, the federal […] The post Coextinction – the film appeared first on Whale Scout.

Author Monika Wieland Shields joins us to discuss her book, Endangered Orcas: The Story of the Southern Residents. Learn how and why she started writing the book, her process, and hopes for the future. Monika tells the story of these whales from her personal experiences and also from a scientific standpoint, catching up the reader […] The post Interview with the Author, Monika Wieland Shields of Endangered Orcas: The Story of the Southern Residents appeared first on Whale Scout.

In March of 2019 L pod made an appearance in California capturing media attention following a dearth of sightings. That got Southern Resident killer whale enthusiasts asking what they were eating. Although this area is a normal part of the whales’ range, less attention is sometimes given to the importance of this habitat and the […] The post Robert Lusardi: Dams and the state of Klamath River salmon appeared first on Whale Scout.

Dr. Greg Ruggerone joins us in-studio to discuss interesting biennial trends related to the boom and bust abundance levels of pink salmon and Southern Resident killer whale births and deaths. Since Southern Resident killer whales don’t directly prey upon pink salmon in a significant way, what’s the connection here? Dr. Greg Ruggerone walks us through […] The post Are Pink Salmon a Threat to Southern Resident Orcas? Salmon Scientist Dr. Greg Ruggerone weighs in. appeared first on Whale Scout.

Erin Corra from FOLKS (Friends of Lime Kiln Society) gives us all the details for the party of the century on San Juan Island. The final event of Orca Month, June 30th, 2019 will mark exactly 100 years since the Lime Kiln Lighthouse was first lit June 30th, 1919! More information from the San Juan […] The post Lime Kiln Lighthouse Centennial Celebration! appeared first on Whale Scout.