The Orca Scientists

June 15, 2018
On boats and in labs, biologists study the dwindling population of orcas living in the waters off the San Juan Islands between Canada and Washington.A study that began in 1971 is continued today by scientists from the Center for Whale Research. They photograph each orca in what are called the Southern Resident pods, follow them in the field, take blubber samples, collect their scat, and perform extensive lab analyses of their data. This attractively illustrated title introduces these family-loving mammals, often misnamed "killer whales." The Southern Residents are fish eaters; their usual prey are salmon, whose populations are also shrinking. Joining researchers in a small boat, the author observes a mother teaching her calf to fish. She describes another series of studies proving that sounds made by boats stress the orcas. She demonstrates the use of dogs trained to find whale scat and the use of a camera-equipped drone to photograph the pods without disturbing them. Between six longer chapters are shorter sections of whale facts as well as descriptions of the Samish Nation orca-naming ceremony, orca food around the world, a captive whale in Florida, and a Chinook salmon's migration; there are also suggestions for reader involvement. The exposition here is less immediate than in some other entries in this long-running series, the narrative arc hard to follow, and the maps unclear, but the story is important.Fans of these popular marine mammals will be intrigued. (glossary, selected bibliography and sources, acknowledgements and author's note, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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July 1, 2018

Gr 4-8-In this new addition to the series, Valice takes readers on a journey to the Pacific Northwest to explore the work of biologists studying orca whales. The prologue provides background information about the early days of tracking the marine mammals. Dr. Mike Bigg started counting and classifying them in the early 1970s out of concern for the number in captivity, and readers learn about developments and advancements since then. Scientists use photography and drones to identify orcas, examine their scat, and deploy hydrophones or underwater microphones to assess the impact of nearby boats. The images enhance readers' understanding of the text, and throughout there are sidebars that provide a deeper dive into topics, such as the Samish Indian Nation's naming ceremony for orcas and the typical diet for the whales. The book ends with information on how to get involved to help orcas through the Center for Whale Research and in everyday life. The back matter also makes this title a useful choice for research. VERDICT A solid selection for collections where the the series is popular.-Erica Thorsen, Albemarle High School, VA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2018
Grades 4-7 With plenty of full-color photos and quotes from working researchers, this installment in the always reliable Scientists in the Field series offers readers a glimpse into the day-to-day work of tracking orcas. Based in the San Juan Islands in Washington, the Center for Whale Research has been tracking pods of resident orcas for more than 30 years, photographing the whales when they migrate to the region in the summer, keeping a record of their births and deaths, and trying to answer questions about both whale behavior and threats to the orca populations, with a variety of research methods, including scat analysis (aided by scenting dogs!), drone photography, and underwater audio recordings. Valice interviews the scientists about their work, explains how declining fish populations and pollutants can affect orca health, addresses the inhumane practice of keeping orcas in captivity, and demonstrates the importance of one particular pod to the Samish Indian Nation. Closing with a rousing call to action, this illuminating look at working scientists will appeal to aspiring marine biologists or whale-lovers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)