The National Red List Project

Please note, this National Red List website contains a subset of data whilst we transition to national focal point driven data uploads. We thank you for your patience with this and welcome national contributors to get in touch to update their national dataset. Terms of Use including citation guidance are found here.

The previous dataset is available via: https://archive.nationalredlist.org/. This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.

NRLD - 93798 | Orcinus orca

Assessment ID
93798
Taxon name
Orcinus orca
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Orcinus orca
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Common name(s)
Killer Whale (English), Épaulard (Français)
Assessed taxon level
Population
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Orcinus
Species
orca
Species authority
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Northeast Pacific southern resident population
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Canada
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Canada
Country ISO code(s)
CAN
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Endangered; En voie de disparition
Abbreviated status
EN
Qualifying criteria (if given)
C1 D1
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This population is small (78 animals in 2001, all ages) and has declined by 20% from 1995-2001. Organochlorine levels are high and the whales are subject to high levels of boat traffic (including whale watching). Abundance of their primary prey, salmon, has also declined.; Cette population est petite (78 individus en 2001, de tous les à¢ges) et a connu un déclin de 20 p. 100 de 1995 à 2001. La teneur organochlorée est élevée, et les épaulards sont sujets à un niveau élevé de circulation de bateaux (y compris l'observation des baleines). L'abondance de leur proie principale, le saumon, a aussi connu un déclin.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2001
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Environment Canada.
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN
Reference for methods given
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2001)
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/wildlife-plants-species/species-risk.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Pacific Ocean
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
No information available
History
The North Pacific resident populations were given a single designation of Threatened in April 1999. Split into three populations in November 2001. The Northeast Pacific southern resident population was designated Endangered in November 2001.; Une seule désignation ' menacée' a été accordée aux populations résidentes du Pacifique Nord en avril 1999. Divisées en trois populations en novembre 2001. La population résidente du sud du Pacifique Nord-Est a été désignée ' en voie de disparition ' en novembre 2001.
Publication
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2001)
COSEWIC. 2001. Canadian Wildlife Species at Risk. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Web site: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/wildlife-plants-species/species-risk.html