Meet the playful and beloved Southern Resident orcas and the people working to save them from extinction using tactics that vary from medicine and laws to drones and dogs
The endangered Southern Resident orcas whistle and click their way around the waters of the Pacific Northwest in three small family groups while facing boat noise, pollution, and scarce food. Superpod introduces young readers to the experts who are training scat-sniffing dogs, inventing ways to treat sick orcas, quieting the waters, studying whales from the air, and speaking out. Author Nora Nickum also discusses her own work on laws to protect the orcas, tackles the dark history of orca capture for marine parks, and shares moments of wonder.
Readers can dive in to help save these majestic orcas with diverse action ideas and to find inspiration for a wide range of future careers.
"Nora Nickum weaves the perfect blend of science and emotion to connect her readers to the Southern Resident orcas and to share a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing effort to save these remarkable animals. A stellar combination of awe-inspiring nature and activism." --Patricia Newman, Sibert Honor author of Sea Otter Heroes
"Superpod is a collection of incredible ways scientists and activists are exploring the biology, behavior, and plight of Southern Resident orcas. Perfect for readers curious about a career in marine biology or conservation, there are passages that put the reader face-to-face with the whales of the Salish Sea as the author writes about her own experiences in the field. By incorporating the work of other scientists and activists, Nickum's text will expand the reader's understanding of what it means to study whales, the new tools that are in use, and how many questions we still have left to answer." --Lindsay Moore, author of Yoshi and the Ocean
"A riveting read! Every sentence shimmers with the author's love and concern for these magnificent animals. Nora Nickum presents the challenges these magnificent animals face with unflinching honesty, yet her message is ultimately uplifting and hopeful. The book encourages and empowers kids to become community scientists, and to be part of the solution to save the orcas." --Sarah Albee, author of Accidental Archaeologists