URGENT: Is it too late for this orca?

A patriarch of the southern resident orca population has gone missing and is presumed dead. With the disappearance of L41, known as Mega, there are only 72 of these orcas left – and the surviving whales are still in danger. Time's running out for these struggling orcas. That's why we're working tirelessly in the Pacific Northwest to save them! Your emergency support could mean the difference between life and death for these whales. Please pitch in to save the wildlife we love today! Mega was the father of many of the younger whales in his pod. His disappearance is yet another wake-up call to save these orcas while we still can. Southern resident orcas face many threats: They’re starving because their food supply has been cut off by dams. They’re being poisoned by runoff pollution. And they’re being deafened by underwater noise pollution from ships. The last time the southern resident population fell this low was in 1975, when the population was decimated by years of being captured for public display. Without more support, at the rate they’re dying off, these remarkable sea mammals could disappear in our lifetimes. We can still turn the tide against these threats and see southern resident orcas recover! We need you with us today – will you help save whales with your support?  Defenders is at the forefront of efforts to clean up habitat in the Salish Sea, reduce noise pollution and recover salmon populations to save southern resident orcas. Thanks to supporters like you, local lawmakers are waking up to the crisis facing these whales, and they're starting to take action.  It may be too late for Mega, but there's still hope: Two calves have been spotted, and they appear to be doing well. But if they're going to have a long and healthy future, they need us to act quickly! Donate today to make a real, effective impact in the lives of southern resident orcas and other vulnerable wildlife. They need you now more than ever! Thank you, for your urgent assistance. Sincerely, Jamie Rappaport Clark President, Defenders of Wildlife P.S.: Our tireless fight for imperiled wildlife is only possible because of supporters like you. The best way you can make a sustained impact to protect vulnerable wildlife is through an automatic monthly donation

Defenders of Wildlife | 1130 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 | defenders.org Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. Photo Credit: Southern Resident Orcas (c) NOAA © Copyright 2020 Defenders of Wildlife