explore: mother & son
mother & son (00:00:51)
Orcas have a close-knit family structure, and most stay with their mothers throughout life. The Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island estimates that the matriarch of one of the families there is more than 90 years old.
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grant: $125,000 - Center for Whale Research
To develop, promote, and conduct benign studies of free-swimming Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) for the purpose of conserving their populations and informing governments and the public of their ecosystem needs.
topic: animals
location: san juan islands
explore: mother & son
Orcas have a close-knit family structure, and most stay with their mothers throughout life. The Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island estimates that the matriarch of one of the families there is more than 90 years old.


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leeann Hats off to you Ken Balcomb! Your research is profound! The passion you have for this specie is appreciated, however envied by me! You made mention of liking this research to carry on after you, and I can truly say one day I would love to carry out my passion and help out with that! Since you have answered a question of mine recently (many thanks), Ide like to ask another. Tokitae"s (Lolita) release has been heavy on all of our hearts, and I read a proposal from you some 5 years ago stating she is aruably the best candidate for release into the wild. Very frustrating being it is another 5 years later from that proposal to no avail. So my question for you, do you believe she is still a viable candidate? And if so how in fact would she be reintroduced to her family? Would it be like a "moving sea-pen"? I love to hear your feedback, I think the world of you. Lee Ann O'Toole 11 months ago
nannette ditto last year
ES It is unbelievable to watch this and to understand that they could be identified to the extend of knowing the year one was born......Is it possible that these whales live into their 90's and maybe beyond ? They are incredibly majestic.... What Odacity humans have in killing them. It is beyond words!!!!!! last year