Events
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Science on Tap at the Kiggins: Orca Poop
February 22, 2023 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
$15 – $45
Via Productions next Science on Tap at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., is at 7 p.m. March 8. The topic is how scientists are learning more about orcas by studying their poop. Tickets are $15 to $45, available at scienceontaporwa.org/events/kiggins_march_8_orca/.
How do scientists learn about the health and diet of whales and dolphins when these species are often hidden in the ocean depths? Thanks to rapid developments in genetic technologies (e.g. feces and environmental DNA (eDNA)), scientists have an ever-growing, noninvasive toolkit to look at what these leviathans are feeding on. They’re piecing together a picture of who ate what and helping to fill in some of the questions plaguing managers and conservationists focused on the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, including stock structure, diet, health, and genetic fitness.
Molecular geneticist Dr. Kim Parsons will describe her journey into the world of whale poop and how she’s using molecular genetics to help managers prioritize goals to support the recovery of the iconic Southern Resident killer whales. At this Science on Tap, learn how whale poop is providing amazing insights into killer whales and their prey. For more information on this event or about Science on Tap, visit Science on Tap OR WA.
