Dear Defender of Wildlife,

Starving orcas have a chance at survival - but they need your to help to save them!

A newly released federal report is giving us a rare opportunity to demand that agencies take down the outdated dams responsible for cutting off salmon populations and starving southern resident orcas to death.

We’re calling on all Defenders to sign in support of saving these struggling orcas and salmon before they’re driven to extinction!

Take action: Sign to demand federal agencies save salmon and starving orcas by breaching old dams on the lower Snake River!

These dams need to come down because for years they’ve cut off Chinook salmon from their spawning grounds along the lower Snake River and beyond. Southern resident orcas depend on those salmon to survive.

We’ve watched those orcas suffer and die, unable to find enough food to support their calves or themselves. Now, only an estimated 72 southern resident orcas remain.

Scientists estimate that a plan to remove these dams would restore up to 1 million salmon – the most of any project being considered. A new federal agency report looking at new ways to manage dams on these rivers just opened for public comments, but unless we raise our voices in support of breaching the four lower Snake River dams, the response won’t be strong enough to save these species.

Will you submit your public comment to demand life-saving action?

You’ve seen the heartbreaking images of a grief-stricken mother orca pushing her dead calf through the water for weeks. Orca numbers keep dropping, and we’re nearing the point of no return.

These species need our urgent and immediate action. Please take just a moment and join the call to breach these dams and save them while we still can!

Thanks for raising your voice for orca recovery.

Sincerely,

Robb Krehbiel Northwest Representative Defenders of Wildlife