John, 

On September 12, we received heartbreaking news: The orca J36, known as Alki, was seen carrying her dead newborn calf. 

Since 2018, we’ve seen three mother orca carry their calves in grief. With fewer than 75 Southern resident orca left, every loss is devastating and a stark reminder that we must act.

Southern resident killer whale J36 carrying her dead calf.
Photo by Center for Whale Research.

Columbia and Snake River Chinook salmon runs are a vital food source for the Southern resident orca. Yet, these Chinook populations remain listed under the Endangered Species Act, with annual returns falling more than 98% below their historical numbers.

Urge your representatives to work with Tribal and state leaders to advance the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI), the most promising path forward for salmon recovery and orca survival.

The CBRI is a roadmap to restore salmon populations by replacing the services of the Lower Snake River Dams. The plan details a path towards ecological balance, reliable energy, and meeting Tribal treaty obligations. For these orcas to survive, we need to pull out all the stops on salmon recovery, including removing the lower Snake River dams. ​

We must speak up for salmon, orca, and the future of our Northwest. Without bold and immediate action to restore salmon, the beloved Southern resident orca will face extinction within our lifetimes.

Thank you for taking action,

Rein Attemann (he/him)
Puget Sound Campaign Senior Manager, Washington Conservation Action