After several months away, members of J and K pod from the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population returned to the San Juan Islands. After being sighted early last week off Northern Vancouver Island, SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach and Dr. John Durban (Southall Environmental Associates, SEA) were able to intercept members of K pod as they briefly passed through the San Juan Islands on July 1st. The team flew their remotely controlled octocopter drone over 10 whales from the K12 and K13 matrilines to collect aerial images to contribute to our ongoing research to monitor growth and assess body condition. Holly and John have collected aerial images and all 22 members of J-pod (see picture below of J16 capturing a salmon). The team will continue collecting data on the nutritional health of Southern Resident killer whales through the summer, particularly during their usual focused month-long effort in September, to help inform management decisions to aid in the recovery of the population.
Aerial images of endangered Southern Resident killer whales collected in July 2020. The top image shows a group of K-pod whales and the bottom image shows J16 chasing (and later eating) a small salmon. These images will be used in photogrammetry analyses of growth and body condition. Images obtained using a remotely-piloted octocopter that was flown >100ft above the whales under NMFS Research Permit #19091.