killer whales

Lolita was captured in the Pacific coast near Seattle nearly 50 years ago at the age of 4.

National

Lolita, oldest orca held in captivity, dies before chance to return to the ocean

2:43pm August 19, 2023

by Juliana Kim

After years of pressure to set the Miami Seaquarium orca free, Lolita was scheduled to spend her final days in her natural habitat sometime next year. On Friday, she died of a "renal condition."

A new study finds that toothed whales can make a range of vocalizations, including some akin to human 'vocal fry,' thanks to a special nasal structure.

Science

Toothed whales use 'vocal fry' to hunt for food, scientists say

5:06am March 03, 2023

by Ari Daniel

New research suggests that vocal fry among toothed whales is what gives them the ability to echolocate, hunting down their prey with the loudest sounds produced by any animal on the planet.

A new study finds that orca mothers still feed their adult sons. It's a bond that may come with costs, researchers say.

Killer whale moms are still supporting their adult sons — and it's costing them

5:05am February 09, 2023

by Ari Daniel

Orca moms spent precious resources feeding their fully grown adult male offspring. A new study finds that this may limit how many more young they produce.

The mother orca, known as J-35, pushes her dead calf to the surface last week off the coast of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The infant orca died shortly after its birth, but its mother has been observed carrying it with her in the days afterward.

After Calf's Death, Orca Mother Carries It For Days In 'Tragic Tour Of Grief'

6:13pm July 31, 2018

by Colin Dwyer

What began as a moment of joy ended in tragedy when the infant died last week. Since then its mother has refused to let go, holding her child tightly in what experts call a moving expression of grief.

A female orca that appears to be grieving has been carrying her dead calf in the water, keeping it afloat since the baby died more than a week ago.

Grieving Mother Orca Carries Dead Calf For More Than A Week, Over Hundreds Of Miles

4:23pm July 31, 2018

by Samantha Raphelson

The calf was the first to be born in the endangered pod of Pacific Northwest killer whales in three years.

A photo taken in Astoria, Ore., circa 1910. It was stated that the chinook on the left weighed 116 pounds and the one on the right weighed 121 pounds.

This Is Why You Don't See People-Size Salmon Anymore

3:43pm March 12, 2018

by John Ryan

Historical photos show fishermen with chinooks almost as tall as they are. A century's worth of dam-building, overfishing, habitat loss and hatcheries has cut the size of the average fish in half.

Menopause Mystery: Why Do Female Killer Whales Experience The Change Of Life?

6:22pm January 12, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Killer whales are one of only three species known to have menopause. Researchers are looking at the conflict and cooperation between older and younger female whales to understand why.

Queue Listen Now

Tilikum performs at SeaWorld Orlando in March 2011. The famous orca has died at an estimated age of 36.

Tilikum, SeaWorld's Famed Orca And Subject Of 'Blackfish,' Dies

1:12pm January 06, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

Tilikum was estimated to be 36 years old and had been in declining health for months. In 2010, he killed a SeaWorld trainer; a documentary about the incident led to outcry over orca captivity.

Killer whale Tilikum watches as SeaWorld Orlando trainers take a break during a training session at the theme park's Shamu Stadium in Orlando, Fla., in 2011.

National

SeaWorld Says Health Of Tilikum The Killer Whale Is Declining

2:27pm March 08, 2016

by Greg Allen

In 2010, Tilikum killed SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau. Her death and SeaWorld's treatment of its orcas were at the center of the 2013 documentary Blackfish.