Swimming the waters of the Salish Sea, the culturally distinctive, salmon consuming southern resident orcas journey in small teams with the members of their pod, or household group. However, often, the orcas collect right into a Tremendous Pod – an incredible, celebratory gathering with many or all the members of J, Ok and L Pods. These joyful social occasions have develop into extra uncommon as salmon populations decline.
Just like the southern residents forming a Tremendous Pod, we people should come collectively to name for change, together with the elimination of the Decrease Snake River dams, to extend salmon populations.
You may be a part of the Tremendous Pod by way of the acquisition of our latest Bonfire shirt, that includes the orca Oreo (J-22), by Artist Gabriel Newton. By buying a shirt, you’ll help the work of Endangered Species Coalition for southern resident orca and salmon conservation. This shirt will solely be obtainable by way of July fifteenth 2024, throughout Orca Month.
Gabriel Newton just lately accomplished work of the 74 remaining southern resident orcas to boost consciousness of the pressing want to guard the orca, by taking actions together with eradicating Decrease Snake River Dams. Gabriel’s acrylic work are on discovered wooden gathered from the shores of the Salish Sea, dwelling of our beloved Southern Residents. Your entire assortment of work will probably be on show on the A/NT Gallery at Seattle Middle from July thirtieth – August twenty second, with the present opening August 1st.
“I felt moved to color J-22 and the remainder of the southern resident orcas so that folks would know and relate to them as people, in addition to members of the Superpod, all attempting to outlive in very difficult circumstances.” -Artist Gabriel Newton
The orca featured on Gabriel’s shirt design is Oreo (J-22), a feminine orca in J-Pod, who’s the mom of two males: DoubleStuf (J-34) who handed away in 2016, and Cookie (J-38), born in 2000 and an grownup orca at present. These household relationships are central to southern resident orca matrilineal (society based mostly on the mom) tradition, and reveal how orca type deep, lifelong household bonds.
The culturally distinctive and critically endangered southern resident orcas are fish consuming orcas, who primarily depend on Chinook salmon, a protected fish species. Current reviews from Washington State’s Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Patty Murray, NOAA, the Biden Administration and the US Military Corps of Engineers all point out that it’s each doable and essential to take away the Decrease Snake River dams.
Your buy of the SUPERPOD Bonfire shirt will assist Endangered Species Coalition’s continued work to take away the Decrease Snake River dams and act to guard southern resident orcas and Chinook salmon. Thanks to your help, for our southern resident orcas!
With appreciation,
Jeanne Dodds
Artistic Engagement Director
Endangered Species Coalition
P.S. Are the hyperlinks not working? Please see the Bonfire marketing campaign at this URL: https://www.bonfire.com/superpod-esc
