Alaska Species Explorer
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Northern Sea Otter -
Beluga -
Pacific Walrus -
Steller Sea Lion -
Harbor Seal -
Ringed Seal -
Killer Whale -
Spotted Seal
All
x
- – No known individuals remaining.
- – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
- – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
- – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
- – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
- – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
- – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
Killer Whale
- – No known individuals remaining.
- – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
- – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
- – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
- – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
- – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
- – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
The killer whale is one of the most wide ranged of all the mammals. Found worldwide but more commonly in the higher latitude colder waters and in polar regions. In the North Pacific Ocean, killer whales are often sighted in all parts of Alaska, including the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Prince William Sound, and Southeastern Alaska.
The AT1 stock of the North Pacific transient killer whale was designated as depleted under the MMPA after its drastic decline after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
In November 2005, the Southern Resident population was listed as endangered under the ESA. NMFS designated critical habitat in November 2006 for the Southern Resident population. This population is currently under review to be delisted.
In the eastern North Pacific, the "resident" killer whale populations mainly feed on salmonids, such as Chinook salmon and chum salmon.
"Transient" populations in the eastern North Pacific feed on marine mammals, such as (in order of frequency of observation) harbor seals, Dall's porpoises, harbor porpoise, gray whale calves, Steller sea lions, and various other species of pinnipeds and cetaceans.
Sexual maturity of female killer whales is achieved when the whales reach lengths of approximately 15-18 feet (4.6 m-5.4 m), depending on geographic region. The gestation period for killer whales varies from 15-18 months, and birth may take place in any month--there is no distinct calving season. Calves are nursed for at least 1 year, and may be weaned between 1 and 2 years of age. The birth rate for killer whales is not well understood, but, in some populations, is estimated as every 5 years for an average period of 25 years.
Killer whales are most abundant in colder waters, including Antarctica, Norway, and Alaska. However, killer whales can also be fairly abundant in temperate waters. Killer whales also occur, though at lower densities, in tropical, subtropical, and offshore waters.
Pollution, reduced prey availability, ship collisions, oil spills, entanglement, and noise disturbance.
- Highly social animals that live in groups known as pods.
- ASLC scientists have worked with these species in the Antarctic.
- Represent the most widely distributed mammal species in the world.
