"Recent information and further analysis leads our agency to conclude that the southern resident killer whale population is at risk of extinction and should be listed as endangered," said administration regional director Bob Lohn.
Among the threats to the killer whales are shipping traffic, toxic chemicals and scarcity of food, such as salmon, according to federal officials.
The killer whales, along with all other marine mammals, were already protected by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, which listed them as "depleted stock" more than two years ago.
The new listing will require federal agencies to make certain their actions are not likely to harm the killer whales.
The federal fisheries service is trying to restore salmon stock in Puget Sound, where Seattle is located in the state of Washington, Lohn said.
Researchers have yet to figure out where the whales go when they leave Puget Sound. Scientists have studied the mammals for about 30 years, but the creatures' estimated lifespan is 90 years.
Name: Orca, aka Killer Whale (
Orcinus orca)
Primary Classification: Odontoceti (Toothed Whales)
Location: Worldwide oceans.
Habitat: Some prefer coastal, temperate waters. Others prefer cold, deep waters.
Diet: Seals, sea lions, fish, squid, seabirds, turtles, dolphins and whales.
Size: Up to 30 ft in length and 11 tons in weight.
Description: Black on top and white underneath; white eye patch; gray saddle patch; large, stocky body; rounded, tapering head; males have tall, straight dorsal fins.
Cool Facts: It has the tallest dorsal fin in the animal kingdom; it's up to 6 feet in height. It is one of the fastest animals in the sea, reaching speeds close to 35 mph.
Conservation Status: Lower Risk (Conservation Dependent)
Major Threats: Boat traffic, hunting and habitat loss.
What Can I Do?: Visit the
British Columbia Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program and
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society for information on how you can help.
