Our Team
Orca Conservancy is comprised of incredible individuals from all around North America with a wide range of skills and backgrounds who are passionate about orcas and the environment. This group of talented people makes what we do possible.
Our Initiatives
Orca Conservancy is working on a variety of projects aimed to address the multiple threats facing the Southern Resident killer whales. From innovative technology to restoring critical habitats, we take pride in knowing that we are doing tangible actions that matter.
Our History
Orca Conservancy was founded on March 20, 1996, originally as the Tokitae Foundation. Upon its inception, the attention of the organization was on Tokitae, also known as Lolita, the last remaining Southern Resident killer whale in captivity. Tokitae, located at the Miami Seaquarium, was captured in the summer of 1970 when she was only 4 years old. The Tokitae Foundation’s aim was to return Tokitae to her home waters and her family.
During this time, the population of the Southern Resident killer whales was on the decline, and it became clear to the organization that if Tokitae was to be returned home, more needed to be done to protect her family. The organization officially changed its name to Orca Conservancy on July 24, 2000, and now focuses on the recovery of the endangered Southern Residents and the habitat on which they depend.
Since the shift of the organization, Orca Conservancy has established itself as one of the key players in advocating for the Southern Resident Orcas. Some of Orca Conservancy’s major accomplishments include the enlistment of the Southern Residents as an endangered species and assisting with the rescue and reintroduction of A73 “Springer” to the Northern Resident population.
Orca Conservancy Now
While over the years Orca Conservancy has seen many changes, our main focus remains on the recovery efforts of the wild orca population. We believe by preserving this unique population we are also safeguarding this precious ecosystem for future generations.
One of the major issues is that the multiple threats (lack of prey, pollution, vessel noise) that afflict the Southern residents interact together creating additive or synergistic effects. There isn’t simply one solution to recovering the Southern Residents. This is why we participates in multiple areas of focus including research, legislation, community outreach, and education, in addition to our ongoing projects and initiatives.
We have established ourselves as leaders in safeguarding critical habitats, advocating creative oil-spill prevention and response measures, establishing better protocols for the Navy to protect sensitive marine life, and working with whale watchers and scientists to create effective new guidelines for wildlife encounters. We proudly collaborate with political leaders on both sides of the table to strive for meaningful solutions that will both help the Southern Residents while also bettering local communities.
We also recognize that one organization alone isn’t enough to change the world. This is why we proudly partner and work with local organizations and businesses that share our passion for orcas, salmon, and the environment. The collaboration of other non-profits and researchers has been a staple in moving forward tangible efforts in passing legislation as well as the execution of our projects and initiatives.