Notification Alerts in Seattle Signal Proximity of Orcas

This month, Peter Bates was in the process of leaving his vehicle at an auto repair shop when his smartphone received an alert: Orcas were nearing his Seattle locality.

Seizing the opportunity, Bates boarded a bus directed towards the waterfront, subsequently switching to an electric bike. As he cycled along a coastal path, the unmistakable black fins and white markings of the orcas emerged from the water just a short distance away.

“The speed at which they move is astonishing. I found myself cycling at a rapid pace to keep up,” Bates recounted. “The entire experience was both exhilarating and awe-inspiring.”

In a city renowned for its breathtaking vistas of Puget Sound and where the precarious status of the endangered local orca population is frequently discussed, encounters with these captivating marine mammals remain a rare delight.

Salish Wildlife Watch, a WhatsApp group comprising 1,800 members, aims to simplify these extraordinary encounters for residents like Bates. The group aspires to encourage public interest in learning about and safeguarding these magnificent creatures. The real-time updates provided by the group have allowed members to witness whales swimming past the city skyline, observe young calves with their parents, and even hear and smell the whales as they surfaced close to the shore.

Ian Elliott, a Seattle resident and member of the group, described the experience as “somewhat addictive.” According to Elliott, “One can transition from the urban environment to any waterfront park and find oneself in the presence of these incredible wild animals.”

The individual responsible for these notifications is Kersti Muul, a biologist and wildlife advocate. She consolidated various text threads and social media updates about orca sightings into a single group chat, fueled by reliable tips from seasoned whale-watchers, group members, and colleagues in her field.

“My primary goal is to expose people, especially those who have never seen a whale, to this extraordinary experience,” said Muul. “I find it extremely difficult to believe that anyone could witness such an event and not develop an immediate affinity for these creatures.”

Though Muul’s first passion is ornithology, she named the WhatsApp group after the Salish Sea, a complex network of coastal waterways that stretch between Washington State and British Columbia. Her initial intent was to include alerts for various animal species, but orcas soon became the focal point.

Muul views the magnetic appeal of the orcas as an opportunity to raise awareness about the ecological challenges affecting them. These include the decline in salmon populations, the disruption of their hunting due to noise pollution from vessels, and the risk of collision with boats and ships.

For centuries, the Salish Sea has been the habitat of orcas, which are deeply respected by the indigenous Coast Salish people. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of visiting transient or “Bigg’s” orcas, especially as their prey like seals and sea lions have rebounded in the region.

Administrative control over the group chat is limited to two active members, with alerts containing specific details about the type of whale sighted, their direction of travel, and pertinent landmarks. Brittany Philbin, an emergency hospital nurse and an enthusiastic whale watcher, assists Muul in filtering tips and sending out alerts.

“I contribute to this initiative because I want to enable as many people as possible to witness these magnificent animals,” Philbin noted.

Increased public scrutiny has also had the beneficial effect of enhancing the safety of these marine mammals. Group members often alert authorities about private boats venturing too close to the animals. Commercial whale watching is subject to federal regulation, but the notifications from the group enable individuals to observe these creatures from the shore, thus minimizing disturbance.

Salish Wildlife Watch is just one example in a series of initiatives that integrate digital technology with nature conservation efforts. Other organizations like the Orca Network and Puget Sound Orcas also post updates on their respective social media platforms.

Steven Rice, who recently moved to Seattle from Philadelphia, follows updates from the Orca Network religiously. “Growing up on the East Coast, it was beyond my imagination that I would reside in a place offering such experiences,” he said, after successfully photographing a pod of orcas earlier this summer.

For Rice, the experience of hearing the orcas’ breaths and seeing their spouts was ineffable. “I lack the precise vocabulary to describe it, but the experience was nothing short of magical,” he stated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about orca sightings

More about orca sightings

• Salish Wildlife Watch WhatsApp Group
• Kersti Muul’s Professional Profile
• Orca Network Official Website
• Puget Sound Orcas Facebook Page
• Federal Regulations on Commercial Whale Watching
• Conservation Efforts for Endangered Orcas in Puget Sound
• The Ecosystem of the Salish Sea
• The Indigenous Coast Salish People and their Relationship with Orcas