Pacific Northwest killer whale getting help from Oklahoma
The Journal Record * November 18, 2020
In 2018, a Pacific Northwest killer whale named Tahlequah carried and grieved her deceased calf for 17 days, and the world grieved with her. The tragic story captured the hearts of the media the world over and brought attention to the endangered plight of the Southern Resident killer whale population in the Pacific Northwest.
On or around Sept. 4 of this year, that same killer whale successfully gave birth to a boy, giving hope to the Southern Resident killer whale group that is near extinction. It also spurred a new partnership between a landlocked state and a ocean marine wildlife rescue and research center.
On Monday, The Kirkpatrick Foundation announced that it is spearheading a dollar-for-dollar match up to $20,000 to help support SR3, a non-profit marine wildlife rescue and research center in Des Moines, Washington, and other animal groups.
The Kirkpatrick Foundation also spurred a connection between the Oklahoma town of Tahlequah, a city where environmental and animal protection has a vibrant history, and this killer whale pod.
To honor the connection between Tahlequah the whale and Oklahoma, the partnership between the Kirkpatrick Foundation and SR3 will also educate Oklahoma-based ocean lovers and form a connection between Oklahoma’s landlocked marine enthusiasts and coastal conservationists in the Pacific Northwest.
Representatives from Oklahoma’s Kirkpatrick Foundation, Save the Illinois River, the city of Tahlequah, Washington’s SR3 – Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research – and the city of Des Moines, Wash., joined forces to launch The “Oklahoma Killer Whale Project,” The project also creates a connection between Tahlequah, OK and Tahlequah, or J35, a member of the Southern Resident killer whale community. The collaborative effort has formed a “Sister Community” with Des Moines to support SR3’s Southern Resident health assessment research.
“We are utterly delighted to celebrate the birth of this calf to Tahlequah, and we recognize this moment in time as a unique opportunity to highlight the struggles that remain to protect this species—and so many others—from pollution and, ultimately, extinction,” said Louisa McCune, Executive Director, Kirkpatrick Foundation.
A large component of the partnership is a double match fundraising effort that will be directed toward the organization’s research program. Donations will not only be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Kirkpatrick Foundation, up to $20,000, but an anonymous donor in Washington State will also match donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $40,000, in general support of the non-profit.
“Eight years ago, The Kirkpatrick Foundation debuted our initiative to make Oklahoma the safest and most humane place to be an animal,” said McCune. “When I learned the good news that Tahlequah had given birth again, I just became instantly obsessed with this wonderful news. I also felt like this might be an opportunity for our state to get connected to these charismatic marine mammals that are far from our landlocked state.”
On July 29, McCune wrote an email to SR3 Executive Director Casey McLean, a marine biologist, veterinary nurse and founder of the brand new marine veterinary rescue hospital in Des Moines, Washington. Together, the two devised the double matching donation program under the SR3 Oklahoma Gift program, SR3.org/Tahlequah.
“A few months ago, I never would have dreamed of reaching out to a group in Oklahoma to help protect Southern Resident killer whales,” said McLean. “As I talked more with Louisa, it really impressed upon me that it’s going to take more than just the folks who live near the Salish Sea and near those whales to ensure that they survive for generations to come. I hope we create many more (of these partnerships) throughout the country.”
The Salish Sea, located along the Strait of Juan de Fuca islands and up through the Strait of Georgia, is one of the largest and most biologically diverse oceans in the world. SR3 works in these waters to rescue and rehabilitate marine animals, including the Southern Resident Killer Whale, which was listed as endangered in 2005. There are only 75 individuals remaining.
The partnership also includes educational pieces, including one with Save the Illinois River.
“In Oklahoma, we recognize the connection between our own Tahlequah — a city where environmental and animal protection has a vibrant history — and the endangered Southern Resident killer whales,” said Ed Brocksmith, secretary and treasurer, Save the Illinois River.
Additional efforts and opportunities being explored across this partnership include a future Zoom Education Series, an Oklahoma Ambassadors Program making future trips to the Salish Sea, and an “Oklahoma Whale Conservation Society.”
“No matter where you live, we all have a role to play in protecting our oceans. Forging connections like this is an essential part of maintaining healthy marine ecosystems,” said McLean. “It is heartwarming to see people from across the country coming together to protect this special population of whales. I think it shows how we can still change course here, and that should give us all hope right now.”
Tahlequah, which is also the capital of the Cherokee Nation, signed a proclamation declaring Nov. 12, 2020 as the day that Tahlequah and Des Moines, Wash. became sister communities.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing to reach people who may live hundreds or thousands of miles from these whales and help them understand why this is so important,” said McLean. “No matter where you live, everyone has a role to play in protecting our oceans.”
