In Ep. 2, we talk about salmon—the sole food source for Southern Resident Killer Whales. Our guest is Cecilia Gobin—a Tulalip tribal member who is on staff at the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. She's incredibly thoughtful and and exactly the kind of voice you want speaking on this topic.

In Ep. 3, we look at how humans have viewed and treated killer whales throughout history, especially in the Salish Sea. It starts with slaughter by fishermen, followed by captivity for entertainment, all the way up to our present moment, in which wild Southern Resident Killer Whales are endangered, but beloved. We look at portrayal in media (Free Willy, Blackfish and more) and get into how captivity shifted scientific study and shaped perception of orcas in ways that would ultimately lead to a ban on their capture in the Salish Sea.

In Ep. 5, we look at a conservation success story that could help map out the future for Southern Resident Killer Whales. The similarities between mountain gorillas and Southern Residents are plenty: Both can be individually identified and monitored by researchers. Both are massive tourist attractions--which on one hand comes with threats, but also brings enthusiasm, support, and the potential for funding to ensure protection. Both also regularly cross the imaginary borders humans have drawn to carve up our countries, meaning international collaboration is crucial. Our guest is Dr. Kirsten Gilardi, Director of Gorilla Doctors and Executive Director of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

In Ep. 6, we look at how human-made contaminants in the ocean are compromising killer whales and compounding the other problems they face. Fat soluble toxins move up the foot chain and accumulate in killer whales, who metabolize it in their blubber. Mothers also pass those contaminants down to their babies when nursing. Our guest is the excellent Peter Ross, who takes this complex subject and artfully breaks it down. Next week is the finale and it's a good one. See you then!

The six-episode series features amazing guests and will explore salmon, noise, contaminants, history, culture, and what we could learn from the conservation of other charismatic species like mountain gorillas. (2 min)