Diving Birds & Mammals

 
 

Different Killer Whales, Different Teeth (Interactive)

Three different types of killer whales can be found in the Salish Sea. They don’t mix, even though they look similar and live in the same place. They are genetically distinct, and they don’t breed with one another. They have different calls, different behavioral patterns, and they eat different prey! Can you tell which tooth belongs to which type of whale? Click the image to find out.

 

The Scoop on Southern Resident Killer Whales (5 mins)

What does it take to save the Salish Sea’s most iconic and endangered species: the Southern Resident killer whale. The goal is to collect critical health and diet data from each of the 73 surviving animals. So .

  • Discover: How does a wildlife veterinarian make a house call to do non-invasive medical tests on 10-ton killer whales in the open sea? It takes sharp eyes and a fine mesh net. Oh, and a fresh, steaming sample of….can you guess? Watch to find out.

 

The Tufted Puffins of Destruction Island (16 min)

On a risky mission to the remote and rugged Destruction Island, Team SeaDoc tries to solve the mysteries of the Tufted Puffin in the hopes of saving this charismatic seabird from local extinction.

  • Discover: Where do tufted puffins spend most of their lives, near the shore or out in the middle of the ocean?

 
 

Steller Sea Lions: Grizzlies of the Sea (12 mins)

Stellers are the world’s largest species of sea lion. Early observers called them sea lions because the males grow large, furry manes, but when we compare these top predators to land animals, we think of them as the grizzlies of the sea. In our debut episode of Salish Sea Wild, the team heads up to Hornby Island on a frigid winter week to dive with hundreds of these magnificent creatures.

  • Question: Could you stay calm while a thousand pound predator chews on your hood? What could these Steller sea lions be gaining from these interactions with our fearless (read-entirely lacking self-preservation instinct) Science Director, Joe?

 

The Risky Business of Saving SeaBirds (14 mins)

Dark nights, treacherous seas and tiny boats: Team SeaDoc takes science to the edge to help save one of the most remarkable endangered species in the Salish Sea--because sometimes even the superhero of seabirds needs our help.

  • Discover: What is it that these sea birds need that is worth us venturing into the danger zone to explore? What would you do to help these little, feathered divers?

HANDS ON ACTIVITIES

 

Choose to be an orca, salmon, eagle, sandpiper, sea lion, or gray whale and then map the path of your migration!