For Love of Orcas: An Anthology to Benefit The SeaDoc Society

LtoR-Jill McCabe Johnson, Joseph K. Gaydos, Paula MacKay, Jed Myers, and Bob Friel. Photo credit: Alina Rios.

Writers, filmmakers, and scientists, who are also contributors to the anthology For Love of Orcas, gathered to share their words, research, and the latest updates on saving the orcas at the Orcas Island Lit Fest. Co-edited by Andrew Shattuck McBride (not pictured) and Jill McCabe Johnson (far left), the anthology showcases poetry and prose about the endangered Southern Resident orcas and their extended ecosystem. From left to right, panelists Joseph K. Gaydos, Paula MacKay, Jed Myers, and Bob Friel discussed research methods from canine-assisted scat analysis that has revealed a 69% pregnancy failure rate to physiological studies that prove orcas experience a full range of emotions similar to humans. Each panelist shared work from poetry to science writing, and Bob Friel, author and director of the series Salish Sea Wild, shared exclusive video of efforts by Gaydos and others to save the young orca, J50, also known as Scarlet. The panel closed with updates following the Governor's Task Force recommendations, including suggestions to contact Washington State legislators to support and fund four bills to protect the orcas. Learn more about what you can do at the Friends of the San Juans website. Proceeds from the book benefit The SeaDoc Society. To order your copy, click here.