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 white body is easy to spot and is completely out of place against our urban shorelines. It’s concerning for a whale to be separated and observed outside his or her natural habitat. Scientists are now trying to figure out who this whale is and where he or she came from. Listen to learn more about the methods they are employing to match this whale to an existing population and how you can help. On this episode we’re joined by Barbara Mahoney, NOAA Fisheries Biologist. Barbara works on beluga recovery and is also the acting Marine Mammal Strandings Coordinator for the state of Alaska. She gives us insight into the world of beluga whales to better understand our wayward beluga.

Learn more about the endangered Cook Inlet beluga population.

When whales appear in strange places! Learn more in this informative article.

If you see the beluga in Puget Sound, please give the animal space and notify researchers by calling: Orca Network at 1-360-331-3543 or the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network Hotline at 1-866-767-6114.

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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 Coast” produced by the BC Royal Museum.

“Spirits of the Coast” is a collection of Indigenous stories, scientific perspectives, poems, and visual art, exploring the world or orcas in the Pacific Northwest. Called the “mastermind of the book,” Nikki Sanchez joins Whitney Neugebauer of Whale Scout and Colleen Weiler of Whale and Dolphin Conservation for an emotional conversation about “Spirits of the Coast” and the current issues facing Indigenous communities in British Columbia.

Join us for a live online community conversation where the public can share their perspectives June 17th. Register here.

–Whale and Dolphin Conservation

-Subscribe to Whale Scout’s YouTube channel for more!

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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 topic among scientists? How is culture exhibited in orcas? Plus, Ford examines the potential costs and benefits of culture in a population such as the Southern Residents.

June is Orca Action Month in the Pacific Northwest! Whitney Neugebauer from Whale Scout and Colleen Weiler from Whale and Dolphin Conservation host the Orca Month Book Club. For 2021 we’re reading the National Geographic magazine article “Secrets of the Whales” and the book “Spirits of the Coast.”

Join us for live online community conversations June 10th and 17th. Register here.

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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 for Orca Action Month, June 2021!

Learn more and discover events at www.orcamonth.com

Join the virtual kickoff festival here.

Learn more about Orca Network at www.orcanetwork.org and the Orca Salmon Alliance at www.orcasalmonalliance.org

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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 to a book with chapters, Pod of Orcas is available here.

Which episode of Pod of Orcas was your favorite? Share in the comments section on YouTube. Please like and subscribe!

Also available on iTunes.

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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. The three-year project will also be featured in the new National Geographic book “Secrets of the Whales“, on sale April 6, and the May issue of National Geographic magazine, The Ocean Issue, available online on April 15.

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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 Atlantic salmon farms out of the wild, rugged, and resilient waterways that support the communities of British Columbia, Canada, including First Nations. Led to Canada by the orcas, ultimately the work of Alexandra Morton continues to protect the whales through the protection of wild salmon so desperately needed by both the whales and people of the coast.

Purchase a copy of the book via Penguin Random House.

Learn more about Alexandra Morton’s work on her website.

Learn about the work lead by Wild Fish Conservancy in Washington State to remove salmon farms from Puget Sound.

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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 be to remove the four lower Snake River dams by 2030 – would it be too late? Joseph Bogaard explains. Learn more about the plan and how you can help.

Read Simpson’s proposal, take action with SOS writing to Northwest Senators and House members) for OR, WA, ID, AK, and MT residents) asking them to work to improve and advance Rep. Simpson’s ‘Columbia Basin Fund’ initiative.

Learn more at: www.wildsalmon.org

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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, ropeless fishing gear, shipping traffic, and ways you can help.

For information about Whale and Dolphin Conservation visit: whales.org

For more video podcasts visit our YouTube channel or listen on iTunes.

FREAK OUT AND SAVE RIGHT WHALES – Sign the WDC petition by March 1st, 2021

Learn more and take action on the SAVE RIGHT WHALES ACT!

Learn more about ROPELESS/ON DEMAND FISHING

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 Sound Action does to protect the critical ecosystem foundations – salmon, forage fish, and nearshore habitats.

For more information on the orca camera project and the full scope of Sound Action’s work as a shoreline development watchdog organization, go to www.SoundAction.org.

For more video podcast episodes subscribe on YouTube! For audio on-the-go subscribe on iTunes.

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