Killer Whale Research

Killer Whale Research

Over the years, several different organizations, both public and private, have been doing ongoing Orca research. The earliest studies were done to learn more about these majestic creatures, and how they lived. Research now focuses more on the effects of captivity on the Orcas, and various rehabilitation programs to release captive Orcas back into the wilds.

The most famous research into the release of a captive Orca back into the wilds began back in 1993, when Dr. Larry Cornell, the head veterinarian for Keiko, the Orca who starred in the "Free Willy" movies, determined that the living conditions for the famous Orca were terrible, and causing considerable health problems. A search began for a new home for Keiko, and it was finally decided that he would be rehabilitated and released back into the wilds, after spending the majority of his life in captivity. Keiko was only about two years old when he was captured.

Keiko's rehabilitation started in 1996, when he was transferred from Mexico to his new facility in Oregon. From 1996 to 2003, Keiko was taught the skills he would need to survive on his own, and he had even reached the point where he was in open waters, free to come and go as he liked. His rehabilitation was going very well, but unfortunately, Keiko died on December 12, 2003. The cause of death was pneumonia, combined with his advanced age. Keiko was about 26 years old. Research continues, and there is now a Keiko Foundation that is designed to help other captive Orca's return to the wilds. But research isn't limited to rehabilitation of captive Orcas. Orcas in the wilds are closely studied as well. Many volunteers work to keep track of the Orca pods in various regions of the world. Their travel patterns are noted, as well as the general appearance of their health. This allows marine biologists to give medical treatment to wild Orcas that become ill or injured, in most cases without removing the Orca from his pod or his natural habitat. The births of Orcas are also noted, and the new arrivals are closely tracked as well.

Some Orcas are tracked with tracking devices. These tracking devices are usually tags that are attached to the dorsal fin, which can be tracked by satellite. Orcas are normally fitted with tracking devices when they have been treated for illnesses or injuries, so that marine biologists can keep an eye on the progress of the Orca, or when specific studies are being conducted. The tracking devices do not harm or hinder the Orcas in any way.

Marine biologist also tag the Orcas with a unique 'naming system.' Each pod is given a letter of the alphabet, such A, B, C, and so on. Then, each Orca who is a member of that pod is given a number, such as 1, 2 , 3, etc. So, if an Orcas name, for research purposes, is L5, this means that the Orca belongs to the L pod, and is the fifth Orca in that pod. Each Orca has a unique mark behind it's dorsal fin, which makes it easily distinguishable from other Orcas. When new Orcas are born, careful notes of these identifying marks are made.

Orca research also includes disease studies, which help marine biologist to better care for the Orcas they rescue, and to develop better veterinarian techniques. Funding for research comes from individuals, foundations, organizations, and to an extent, governments.