Southern Resident killer whales are more than just iconic creatures
Something to understand about killer whales is that they are a really important species in terms of the ecosystem. They…
![[Not] Living with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion](https://www.pinksheep.media/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/not-living-with-the-trans-mountain-pipeline-expansion-768x403.jpg "[Not] Living with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion")
[Not] Living with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
The Canadian government has completed the construction of the expanded Trans Mountain Pipeline between Edmonton and Vancouver, and oil exports…
“I say potato, you say potahto”: Geographic variation in contact calls of Canadian beluga whales
Many species of birds and mammals exhibit intraspecific acoustic geographic variation in their vocalizations. This occurs when populations are separated…
Launching our 10-year, place-based conservation science initiative on the Sunshine Coast
Raincoast is building on our strong track record of conservation science and action to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife…
Wolves, whales, and elephants: animal personalities, culture, and conservation
Although detailing a moment in the lives of two completely different species, these field notes have much in common. Both…
Letter in Science identifies the contradiction between protecting economic growth and biodiversity in Canada’s Fraser River estuary
The June 30th, 2023 edition of the journal Science features a letter written by Raincoast science staff on the repercussions…
Join us on Pender Island to discuss culture, genes, conservation, and the future of Southern Resident killer whales
Join Raincoast scientists, Dr. Valeria Vergara, Misty MacDuffee and Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard, for Below the surface: Culture, genes, conservation, and…
Marine mammals in a changing Arctic Ocean
In March 2020, a Regional Planning and Knowledge Sharing Workshop was held by POLAR at the campus of the Canadian…
Join us for After the Groundswell: film and discussion panel events in Vancouver, Victoria, and Tofino
We invite you to join us in Vancouver, Victoria, or Tofino for a special evening and ‘re-premiere’ of Groundswell, a…
Recovery efforts for endangered killer whales
2022 marked the fourth year of collaborative efforts by NGOs, First Nations, stakeholders, and the federal government to implement recovery…
The ocean we share
Our annual report, Tracking Raincoast into 2023 is now out! Below, find the opening letter authored by two of our…
Whale conservation and recovery: our plans for 2023
Raincoast’s new Cetacean Conservation Research Program is premised on the conviction that solutions to the threats facing at-risk species must…
Job opportunity: NoiseTracker Assistant Coordinator
The successful candidate will assist with advancing the development of a project plan for NoiseTracker (NT), a new initiative that…
Belugas, the Sea Canaries: Deciphering a complex communication system
Belugas, nicknamed “sea canaries”, are one of the most loquacious cetacean species, producing an impressive array of sounds for a…
My summer with the white whales
“ Dot is back!” exclaims Jaclyn from atop our beluga observation tower. We photo-identified this female beluga during our second…
Investigating individual distinctiveness in the calls of wild belugas
Beluga whales produce a multitude of sounds for a variety of functions. To date, calls used for group cohesion and…
Dr. Valeria Vergara is teaching a course on whale and dolphin culture
Until recently, “culture” was considered uniquely human, based on a philosophical position that humans fundamentally differ from animals. But evidence…
Raising calves in beluga society
“Another calf-switching event!” Exclaims Jaclyn, her eyes fixed on the screen as she expertly maneuvers the drone above the beluga…
Mom, can you hear me? Impacts of underwater noise on mother-calf communication in endangered beluga whales
The St Lawrence Estuary beluga population, endemic to Canada, is at the southernmost limit of its range and is reproductively…
Meet Valeria Vergara, co-Director of Raincoast’s new Cetacean Research Program
Dr. Valeria Vergara is an experienced cetacean researcher that has participated in studies of humpback whales, Guiana dolphins, narwhals, and…