Far and away, the greatest threat to the ocean, and thus to ourselves, is ignorance. But we can do something about that.
Wild Orca is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in Washington State, dedicated to education and action initiatives contributing to the conservation of wild killer whale populations. Wild Orca believes the best way to learn about marine mammals is through observation and education in their natural habitat rather than through profit motivated captive entertainment.
Core values
- A commitment to conservation through research & action.
- A commitment to initiating and supporting sustainability and environmental community outreach projects.
- A commitment to educating the public about the factors affecting endangered Orca populations.
Operated by a team of volunteers and researchers, Wild Orca fulfills its mission through research, advisory, and outreach campaigns.
Wild Orca was started in 2014 by two commercial seaplane pilots in Washington State. Through their work transporting people and goods throughout the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest, they gained an appreciation and affinity for the beauty and significance of wild orcas and recognized the value and importance of caring for these unique and iconic creatures.
Dr. Deborah Giles
Science & Research Director
Dr. Deborah Giles (she goes by her last name) received her PhD from the University of California Davis in 2014. Her master’s thesis and PhD dissertation both focused on the federally listed southern resident killer whales. Formerly the research director at the Center for Whale Research, she is currently a resident scientist and lecturer at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs, where she teaches Marine Mammals of the Salish Sea and Marine Biology. Since 2009 Giles has been the vessel captain for Dr. Samuel Wasser’s project – University of Washington’s Center for Conservation Biology – utilizing a scat detection dog to locate floating killer whale scat to monitor the physiological health of southern resident killer whales.
Starting in 2010, Giles also began work with an ongoing collaborative project with Cascadia Research Collective and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service deploying acoustic suction-cup recording tags on killer whales to measure received noise levels by whales. Giles is the killer whale scientific adviser for the Orca Salmon Alliance, a program advisor for Killer Whale Tales, and is on the Steering Committee for the Salish Sea Ecosystem Advocates (SalishSEA).
Michael Hays
Co-founder
Michael grew up on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. His passion for his career as a seaplane pilot gave life to his passion for the wild Pacific Northwest and it’s endangered southern resident killer whales.
Recalls Michael, “I’ll never forget the day I picked up a load of passengers from a large resort in Desolation Sound, British Columbia.” After loading the 6-passenger seaplane, he cast off from the dock only to realize that directly before him a pod of orcas was transiting the channel. With every rise to the surface, the sun illuminated a blast of water and steam emanating from the breathing orcas. It was a truly awe-inspiring sight. “I didn’t want to disturb their path so I circled and navigated around tidal whirlpools while the orcas continued their journey southward. It was a unique situation for a pilot, and there was for me at that moment a stunning realization that I had the best job in the most beautiful place in the world, and I decided then that I would do just about anything to make sure this natural, beautiful gift was protected.”
In addition to co-founding Wild Orca in 2014, Michael is also the President of Cultural Passage, a program that places volunteers in sustainable development projects in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas.
ANNA GULLICKSON
Co-founder
Anna grew up in Reno, Nevada where she was raised with love and respect for the world around her. Regular childhood visits to the Canadian Gulf Islands shaped her deep affection for flying and the Pacific Northwest. She followed her passion for flying and earned her Bachelors degree in Aviation at Utah State University. In 2008 Anna made Seattle her home when she was hired as a commercial seaplane pilot for Kenmore Air. In addition to carrying passengers and freight over the coastal waters of Washington and British Columbia, Anna worked as a ski patroller at Crystal Mountain with her husband Eric, and her avalanche rescue dog, Luna.
Anna joined with her colleague, Michael Hays, co-founding Wild Orca in 2014. In addition to her work in Killer Whale conservation and policy, she volunteers her time caring for animals who have been rescued from abusive and unhealthy farms across the United States.
Get in touch
Wild Orca
117 East Louisa Street #366
Seattle, Washington 98102
United States of America
email: info@wildorca.org