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NRLD - 96654 | Orcinus orca

Assessment ID
96654
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
Northwest Atlantic/ Eastern Arctic populations
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
Special Concern; Préoccupante
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
Threats to this population include hunting in Greenland, acoustical and physical disturbance, which will become greater as shipping traffic increases in the Arctic, and contaminants. This population's small size (fewer than 1000 mature individuals and likely less than 250) and the species' life history and social attributes justify designation as Special Concern.; Les menaces auxquelles font face cette population incluent la chasse au Groenland, les perturbations acoustiques et physiques, lesquelles s'amplifieront alors que le transport de marchandises augmente dans l'Arctique, ainsi que les contaminants. La petite taille de la population (moins de 1000 individus matures et probablement moins de 250), ainsi que le cycle vital et les caractéristiques sociales justifient la désignation d'espèce préoccupante.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2008
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2008. Environment Canada.
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN
Reference for methods given
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2008)
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
ArcticOcean; Atlantic 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
Species considered in April 1999 and in November 2001, and placed in the Data Deficient category. Re-examined in November 2008 and designated Special Concern.; Espèce étudiée en avril 1999 et en novembre 2001, et classée dans la catégorie ' données insuffisantes '. Réexamen en novembre 2008 et désignée ' préoccupante '.
Publication
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2008)
COSEWIC. 2008. 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