Humpback whales in the Salish Sea have a complicated history. They were hunted to near extinction a century ago, with whalers turning some of the largest creatures on Earth into buckets of oil, slabs of meat, tubs of cheap margarine and fertilizer. These coastal waters were emptied of these magnificent creatures who once called them home. 

But now, in an amazing turn of events, Humpback whales have started to come back. And what they’ve found is a whole new world of dangers.

On today’s episode, I’m out at sea off the coast of Vancouver with scientists on a high speed chase for answers. Why are they coming back? And are they here to stay? Some groundbreaking research techniques might tell us.
Check out our eDNA episode about the groundbreaking things scientists are using it for
Whale Report app for reporting Humpback whales in the Salish Sea
Listen to more whales around the Salish Sea

Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek and edited by Jim Gates. Writing by Christopher Preston. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Photo Credit: Ocean Wise. Photo Taken Under DFO Permit MML-18, BCZ0180 "Monarch"

Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

Humpback whales in the Salish Sea have a complicated history. They were hunted to near extinction a century ago, with whalers turning some of the largest creatures on Earth into buckets of oil, slabs of meat, tubs of cheap margarine and fertilizer. These coastal waters were emptied of these magnificent creatures who once called them home.&nbsp;
But now, in an amazing turn of events, Humpback whales have started to come back. And what they&rsquo;ve found is a whole new world of dangers.
On today&rsquo;s episode, I&rsquo;m out at sea off the coast of Vancouver with scientists on a high speed chase for answers. Why are they coming back? And are they here to stay? Some groundbreaking research techniques might tell us.
<ul>
<li>Check out our <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/eily-andruszkiewicz-allan-the-magic-of-edna">eDNA episode</a> about the groundbreaking things scientists are using it for</li>
<li><a href="https://ocean.org/action/send-a-sighting-save-a-whale/">Whale Report app</a> for reporting Humpback whales in the Salish Sea</li>
<li><a href="http://orcasound.net">Listen</a> to more whales around the Salish Sea</li>
</ul>
Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife">www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife</a> and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek and edited by Jim Gates. Writing by Christopher Preston. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.
Photo Credit: Ocean Wise. Photo Taken Under DFO Permit MML-18, BCZ0180 "Monarch"
Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action!

THE WILD with Chris Morgan brings stories from the natural world right to your ears in a beautifully immersive way. You’ll feel like you are right there with Chris in wild places all over the world, alongside wildlife ecologists, researchers and colorful characters on the front line.

THE WILD with Chris Morgan brings stories from the natural world right to your ears in a beautifully immersive way. You&rsquo;ll feel like you are right there with Chris in wild places all over the world, alongside wildlife ecologists, researchers and colorful characters on the front line.

The Wild with Chris Morgan

The Wild with Chris Morgan brings stories from the natural world right to your ears in a beautifully immersive way. You’ll feel like you are right there with Chris in wild places all over the world, alongside wildlife ecologists, researchers and colorful characters on the front line.

The Wild with Chris Morgan brings stories from the natural world right to your ears in a beautifully immersive way. You&rsquo;ll feel like you are right there with Chris in wild places all over the world, alongside wildlife ecologists, researchers and colorful characters on the front line.

Chris unravels the journey of Humpback whales in the Salish Sea and explores the groundbreaking techniques researchers are using to protect them.