A summary of some of the biggest ticket issues that could be game-changers for the Southern Resident killer whale population. Let this list be a starting point in your journey to learn more about these complex topics.
20 Years Endangered
We Must Do More To Save
the Southern Resident Killer Whales
For June 2026, Orca Action Month, our goal at the Orca Behavior Institute is to raise awareness of the fact that the Southern Resident killer whales have now been on the endangered species list for just over 20 years but have yet to show signs of recovery.
Through 75 life-sized dorsal fins - one for every living Southern Resident - we hope to inspire people to learn about this unique population, why they are at risk, and what must be done to help their population begin to increase.
On this page, you will find the resources you need to begin exploring the story of these iconic whales.
Through 75 life-sized dorsal fins - one for every living Southern Resident - we hope to inspire people to learn about this unique population, why they are at risk, and what must be done to help their population begin to increase.
On this page, you will find the resources you need to begin exploring the story of these iconic whales.
June 2026 Orca Action Month
75 Fins for 75 Whales
To help raise awareness of the plight of the Southern Residents, our ambitious community art project features 75 life-sized dorsal fins on display throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Use the map below to explore all the fin locations.
If you found this page through our QR code on one of the fins, learn more about which whale you found via the map below and use #OBIArtForOrcas to share your photos of the artwork!
If you found this page through our QR code on one of the fins, learn more about which whale you found via the map below and use #OBIArtForOrcas to share your photos of the artwork!
#OBIArtForOrcas
Fin Locations Interactive Map
Instructions for Exploring the Map: Scroll around the map to explore where the dorsal fin artwork is on public display. If a pin has a number below it, that means there are multiple fins at that location. Click the pin and use the magnifying glass icon to zoom in on that location or grid icon to "browse features" and see the list of all the whales included in that pin and their info cards. Each info card includes details about the whale and the artist who created it.
Interactive Map of Fin Locations
Instructions For Exploring the Map:
Scroll around the map to explore where the dorsal fin artwork is on public display. If a pin has a number below it, that means there are multiple fins at that location. Click the pin and use the magnifying glass icon to zoom in on that location or grid icon to "browse features" and see the list of all the whales included in that pin and their info cards. Each info card includes details about the whale and the artist who created it.
Our Research
Southern Resident Killer Whales
The inspiration for OBI was long-term monitoring of SRKW behavior. This now includes three main research projects.
Learn About Our Work
gone but not forgotten
Gone But Not Forgotten
Annual Day of the dead tributes
Each year on Day of the Dead, Monika writes a tribute to any whales we have lost. Their stories live on through these posts.
Read The Tributes
gone but not forgotten
Explore Our SRKW Media
Video & Hydrophone recordings
Experience the Southern Residents through our collection of video compilations and hydrophone clips from our field work
Explore Our Media
Southern resident KILLER WHALES
Meet the Pods
The Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) population is made up of J-, K-, and L-Pods. Thanks to decades of research and the annual population census done by the Center for Whale Research, we know them as individuals with traceable matrilineal histories.
The groups outlined below represent the main social units of the Southern Residents that typically travel all together.
The groups outlined below represent the main social units of the Southern Residents that typically travel all together.
Meet J-Pod
J-Pod is the "most resident" of the three Southern Resident pods, spending by far the most time in the inland waters of the Salish Sea.
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Meet K-Pod
Since studies began in the 1970s, K-Pod has been the smallest of the three Southern Resident pods, usually numbering between 15 and 20 individuals.
Meet The Greater L4s
The Greater L4s are the largest sub-group in L-Pod containing +/- 20 whales from several matrilines.
Meet The L12 sub-group
The L12 sub-group (or Greater L12s) is the mid-sized sub-group from L-Pod typically numbering between 10 and 15 individuals.
Meet The L54 sub-group
The L54s are the smallest Southern Resident sub-group, currently totaling just four whales.
Meet The Whales
Each individual whale has an alphanumeric designation: the pod letter followed by a number that indicates the order in which they were identified or born into the pod. This is how scientists keep track of who is who.
They also each have one or more common names that have been given to them in various ways over the years. We believe that common names help the public connect to the whales more on an individual level, so we've provided our preferred common names here alongside some basic stats about each whale.
They also each have one or more common names that have been given to them in various ways over the years. We believe that common names help the public connect to the whales more on an individual level, so we've provided our preferred common names here alongside some basic stats about each whale.
J47
Notch
Notch got his namesake marking at a young age. The size and shape of his notch has changed dramatically as his dorsal fin has grown with age.
Sex:
Male
Birth Year:
2010
Age:
January 1, 2010
Pod:
J Pod
Matriline:
J17s
Artist:
Jason and Monika Shields
Location:
Finn River Cidery
Photo taken under NMFS Permit #27038
