In 2002, the body of a female orca was found stranded on the North Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Just offshore, a healthy, young male hovered close by, refusing gentle attempts to guide him into safer deep water. Although the male was saved, it was soon discovered that the female's body carried one of the highest loads of toxic chemicals ever tested, far outside the usual levels found. These were PCBs (lab created chemicals) and DDTs (first developed as pesticides).
The full skeleton of this magnificent 22 foot, 8,200 pound killer whale was dug up from a farmer's field recently and is currently being assembled at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center (where "Rogues" marine biologist Katrina Kincaid works), including 159 bones and the upper and lower jaws containing 22 and 24 conical teeth respectively. Students named her Hope. She is one of only five orca skeletons on display in the U.S. See pics below. Unfortunately, these high levels of pollution are happening in oceans around the world.
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| The Killer Whale Called Hope |
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| Hope's body loaded on flatbed |
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| Hope's lower jaw |
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