Reproductive difficulties could make it even harder to maintain the population. Ross said problems with toxic chemicals would be exacerbated by added stresses, such as a shortage of salmon, the primary food for orcas, or disruptions caused by a growing fleet of whale-watching boats. Whether they're with the rest of the pod or alone, they always stay out on the edge. Importance of family Killer whale society is arranged around the female. In this matriarchal structure, orcas stay with their mothers for life.
Older females travel with their children and grandchildren.
They can be seen caring for and nurturing young whales. Adolescent cousins will chase each other and play together, mixing with aunts and uncles. J-2 has offspring that are still alive, so there's a strong connection to the pod. Living on 'knife edge' If the population of southern residents continues to fall, researchers likely will see further failures in orca blood lines. Eventually, they say, the population will reach a point of no return.