Population Viability Analysis for the Southern Resident

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Population of the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

30

stron

6583

ID

University College London

2001

rok

ABSTRACT

Analysis of a 26 year record of Southern Resident killer whale demography revealed a statistically

increasing trend in adult mortality. In the past 5 years, the population has fallen by 4.9% per year.

Fecundity has also been lower than long term average in recent years. These declines in survival

and fecundity are unlikely to be merely the temporary result of natural cyclic variation in habitat

quality and food supply. Southern Resident killer whales have extreme levels of tissue

contamination by persistent organochlorine pollutants, which is expected to result in reduced

fecundity and a higher risk of epizootic disease.