A recent review of the killer white whale population found them to be at a high risk of extinction. These reviews take place every five years.
Killer whales were first named as endangered in 2005.
"This review tells a comprehensive story of the research and recovery actions that have taken place in the last five years” said Meg Wallen, a marine mammal specialist at NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region.
Killer whales are threatened by prey availability, pollution, contaminants, oil spills, and effects from vessels and sounds, in addition to a small population size. According to the Endangered Species Act, a review of the species listed in the act takes place every five years. The recent review did not deliver a hopeful outcome about the current situation of the killer whale population.
Factors that were considered in the review include threats to habitat or range, over utilization of the species, disease and predation, insufficient regulations to protect the species and natural or human caused factors impacting the continued existence of the species. Killer whales can be seen in any ocean, but killer white whales are specific to North American waters. Boats were a factor noted to have a key impact, as the whales do not look for food if boats are in the area.
