Study of 50 Years of Data Shows Southern Resident Orcas Are Increasingly Absent From Puget Sound

Researchers analyzing nearly 50 years of data have identified distinct shifts in the movement patterns of two killer whale populations within the Salish Sea. The study tracks the behavioral ecology of the endangered southern resident killer whales and a separate group of transient orcas, noting that the southern residents are increasingly absent from their traditional habitats in Puget Sound.

The long-term data set highlights how these two populations respond to environmental changes in the region. While the southern resident killer whales show a decline in their historical presence, the research documents the evolving spatial distribution of both groups. By monitoring these movements over several decades, scientists have established a clearer picture of how each population utilizes the local marine environment and adapts to shifting ecological conditions.

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Date: June 24, 2026

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GOAI