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- April 23 - Southern resident orcas even more at risk
April 23 - Southern resident orcas even more at risk
Princess Anne coming to the Island, BC Ferries resumes in-person meetings, Ice Cube in town
Capital Daily team
April 23, 2024
Good morning !
Today we have some distressing news about Southern Resident killer whales, whose tiny population is expected to dwindle faster than originally expected. Thankfully, the authors of the study say there’s still hope that the whales can be saved.
Do you follow news on Southern Resident killer whales? |
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
New study shows accelerating decline in Southern Resident orca population
Southern Resident killer whales from J-Pod. Photo: Center for Whale Research
Scientists across several areas of marine conservation and animal welfare have released a new study this month on the current state of Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) that live in Island waters—and the results are more dire than once thought.
SRKW have been listed as a species at risk in Canada since 2005. Currently, only 74 SRKW exist and, according to the study, their population will continue to decline by one whale per year for the next generation. After that, the decline will accelerate rapidly toward extinction.
The study highlights the idea of dark vs bright extinction—dark extinction happens with little awareness or public knowledge, with an animal's population declining out of sight from researchers. Bright extinction, what SRKW are experiencing, happens with full awareness. Scientists know the exact number of living SRKW, and yet, their decline continues.
“We know what the problem is, but the management actions and mitigation measures are not enough, they're too slow,” said Rob Williams, lead author of the study and co-founder of Oceans Initiative in Seattle.
To prevent another case of a bright extinction, a combination of animal welfare and conservation science will be needed to save these mammals, he said.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road closures: Check this map to see which roads are under construction in Victoria.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Princess Anne to visit Victoria equestrian group next week
Princess Anne and Goodwill cicra 1970s. Photo courtesy Reddit
The late Queen of England's only daughter and her husband Timothy Laurence will visit the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association (VTRA) in Brentwood Bay a week from Sunday (May 5).
An avid equestrian, Princess Anne became the first British royal to participate in the Olympics when she was a member of the British equestrian team at the 1976 Games in Montreal—where she rode the Queen’s horse Goodwill and infamously fell. She would go on to become president of the British Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee.
“She is such an accomplished equestrian and an advocate for therapeutic riding and the people we serve,” Liz Gagel, the VTRA’s acting executive director said in a release.
“Their visit brings awareness to the great work VTRA, and other programs like ours, do for our community.”
The VTRA is a non-profit that uses horseback riding as a therapeutic aid and offers a variety of equine-assisted activities to more than 200 children and adults throughout the region.
Formed in 1982, the VTRA has a small staff of about half a dozen but a legion of some 275 volunteers, some of whom will get to meet the princess, who is 73.
“Her Royal Highness is a keen and successful equestrian, and she understands the connection between the rider and the horse,” said Annie Brothwell, VTRA board chair.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
💼 Social Media Strategies for Small Business Owners from City of Victoria. [May 14]
🍽️ Culinaire returns Wednesday: The food and beverage event will showcase the Island’s restaurants, craft makers, and specialty goods purveyors at Victoria Conference Centre.
🤝 Now hiring: Director of Operations at Together Against Poverty Society
🗞️ In Other News
Experts say orphaned orca calf has a good chance of surviving
The odds of enabling two-year-old Brave Little Hunter to reunite with her family in open water are good if they can get the orphaned orca out of the lagoon in which she’s been trapped for the last month, experts say. A second rescue attempt had to be scuttled Friday but a larger-scale try, involving boats, divers and nets, and a short helicopter ride is expected sometime in the coming days. [Global News / CP]
Kayak found, search continues for lost Island kayakers
The search continued yesterday, though their kayak was found on Henry Island, south of Vancouver Island, on Sun. Daniel MacAlpine, 36, and Nicolas West, 26, were last known to be kayaking between Island View Beach and D’Arcy Island on Sat. afternoon. [CHEK]
BC Ferries returns to in-person meetings after safety concerns
The company will return to this format in June, nearly a year after going virtual. In Sept., a woman threatened those attending a community meeting on the Sunshine Coast. At the time, BC Ferries said the number of incidents of aggressive behaviour toward staff was on the rise. New security policies will be in place at the in-person meetings and participants will need to follow a new code of conduct. [Times Colonist]
Keen on green: Spectrum School gets $2M donation for new turf
There are still approvals needed but the Saanich school is closer to getting a new sports field and clubhouse following some “significant donations,” according to the school, which has been waiting six years to get the project going. So far $2.9M in donations—including one for $2 million—have come in with more committed from the municipality. Not everyone is sold on installing artificial turf, though. [Black Press]
SPONSORED BY CINEVIC
Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival
CineVic presents the 12th annual Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival, May 2-5 at The Vic Theatre. Featuring three dozen films from around the Pacific Ocean, including an opening night of local shorts from Victoria. Plus a panel, workshop, filmmaker Q&As, and more!
🗓️ Things to do
🎤 Ice Cube: See the hip hop legend on his Straight into Canada tour at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, tonight at 7pm. [Info]
🎸 Victoria Guitar Show: Check out all things guitar at the Victoria Conference Centre, Saturday 10am-3pm. [Info]
🎳 Lawn Bowling: Open house with free lessons for all ages at Lake Hill Lawn Bowling Club. Sat. 1-3:30pm. Mon. 5:30-8pm. [Info]
Looking for more? Subscribe to This Week In Vic to get the full list of what’s on this week.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Monday headlines: Esquimalt’s newest tall tower; Kayakers missing; Langford promises safer schools with infrastructure changes; Canucks win Game 1. [April 22]
Scenes from a moody spring garden in these detailed, delicate snapshots. [Work The Angle]
Island fire crews get ready for another wildfire season. [CHEK]
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