Kotik, C., J.W. Durban, H. Fearnbach, and L.G. Barrett-Lennard. 2022. Morphometrics of mammal-eating killer whales from drone photogrammetry, with comparison to sympatric fish-eating killer whales in the eastern North Pacific. Elmer E. Rasmuson Library.

https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12965

My research focuses on anthropogenic threats to killer whale health and population dynamics. At UAF, I will use a multi-decadal sightings and photo-identification dataset to non-invasively assess the impacts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) upon the health and fitness of mammal-eating ‘Bigg’s’ or ‘Transient’ killer whales in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. As top marine predators, Bigg’s killer whales are extremely vulnerable to bioaccumulation and biomagnification of contaminants; they bear high levels of certain pollutants known to interfere with immune and reproductive function in mammals and are designated ‘Threatened’ under the Canadian Species at Risk Act as a result. My research will enable a better understanding of the long-term effects of accumulated contaminants in these important predators.

• Bay Cetology
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada