ABOUT US

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Naked Whale Research (also NaWhaRe) is a killer whale research organization founded in 2010 by Jodi Smith.

 

The purpose of the organization is to study the behavior of killer whales, particularly the Endangered Southern Resident J, K, and L pods, of the  Pacific West Coast. NaWhaRe is located on the Northern California Coast. Our location provides us with the opportunity to help fill in the data gaps of killer whale behavior during their seasonal travel between summer and winter habitats of the San Juan Islands in Northern Washington State and Monterey Bay, CA. Given the lack of studies conducted between these distant points, NaWhaRe researchers are excited to be positioned to enrich the research community by being on location not only to observe and report on these animals in -transit, but also to help extend the whale sighting network between Southern and Central California and Northern Washington. Research of this top marine predator is important not only for the conservation of an endangered species, but for informing future risks to coastal human populations who share some of the same natural resources.  Recently the organization has branched out to look at other conspecific species such as grey whales, harbor porpoise, and Southern California near-shore bottlenose dolphin populations. 

 

We look forward to providing research and education on these long lived social marine mammal species.