The killer whale is not yet counted amongst species that are endangered. However, they are being killed regularly and it will not be long before their numbers dwindle and they become endangered species. Hence, efforts are being made to conserve this species. The biggest threat to these whales is from humans. However, they are also facing a loss of their natural habitat and of course decrease in their food sources.

Reduction of Food Sources
The biggest threat to killer whales is from fishermen. The fishermen and whales tend go for the same fish. This creates a competition among them and invariably the whale is the loser. Also, using unsustainable methods to fish is reducing the fish in the oceans that these whales feed on. As a result, there is a reduction in the food that the whales would normally consume. Thus, the killer whales are moving closer to fishing grounds and shores where they can get access to food. However, this, in turn, is endangering the whales even more as there is a possibility of them getting hit by boats or getting caught in nets set by the fishermen.

It has also been seen that the adult whales can adapt themselves to changing circumstances, but the younger whales cannot, and hence, end up starving to death. The reduction in the food sources also has an adverse effect on the reproductive cycle of the whales and as a result, many whales do not reproduce. 

Habitat Disturbance
Anther factor that is having an effect on the number of kier whales is the noise pollution created by submarines, ships and boats. These whales have excellent hearing and with the increase in human-made noise in the oceans, the whales are suffering from hearing loss and inability to communicate with one another. This is even causing some whales to perish in the oceans.

Water Pollution
The biggest form of water pollution that makes the oceans inhabitable for these whales is spillage of oil. With the amount of sea traffic increasing, the chances of oil spillage are high; and when the oil enters the blow hole, it blocks the entry of air. As a result, the whales suffocate to death. Furthermore, water pollution has an effect on the food sources of the whales. When the whales consume fish with chemicals and toxins, it can kill them slowly.

Human Threat
While several countries have made whaling illegal, it is still an ongoing activity especially in the northern part of the Atlantic and some parts of the Pacific. The whales are primarily hunted for their blubber and skin, which is used to make shoes and belts.

Conservation Efforts
Conservation of killer whales is extremely important, as these mammals do not get sexually mature before they reach 15 to 20 years of age, and nearly fifty of their calves tend die within a year of being born. However, protecting killer whales is not easy, as researchers are still trying to find out more about them. While research is being done to find out where these whales spend majority of their time, certain areas where the whales frequent are protected as of now.

More Articles :

• Are Killer Whales Endangered ?
• Killer Whales Anatomy
• Life Cycle Of A Killer Whale
• Scientific Name For Killer Whale
• What Do Killer Whales Eat ?
• What Eats Killer Whales ?

Dolphins-World.com: Killer Whales Endangered
http://orca.dolphins-world.com/killer-whales-endangered.html