This new edition of this best-selling book presents updated results of over twenty-five years of killer whale research in British Columbia and Washington. Intended for both whale enthusiasts and researchers, it contains the latest information on killer whale natural history and presents a catalogue of close to 300 photographs of "resident" killer whales as well as a genealogical registry that enables readers to identify individual killer whales and their family groups. The technique of photographing the dorsal fin and grey saddle patch of whales has revolutionized the study of killer whales, allowing researchers to follow individuals over the course of many years.

Graeme M. Ellis' profile page

Kenneth Balcomb's profile page

The authors are active researchers who are widely regarded as the world's foremost authorities on killer whales. John K.B. Ford is former head of marine mammal research at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and an adjunct professor in the Department of Zoology and the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia. He is currently marine mammal biologist at the Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C. Graeme M. Ellis is a senior marine mammal technician at the Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C. Kenneth C. Balcomb is director of the Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor, Washington.

Here is the book my students have wanted for a long time. Everything you ever wanted to know about killer whales. Buy several copies in case it goes out of print ... Recommended to anyone who loves whales but to readers from about Grade 8 through adult.

Washington State Young Adult Review Group

The book is an excellent description of the social structure, genealogy, and individual characteristics of killer whales that frequent the nearshore marine waters of British Columbia and Washington State ... It belongs in the collections of all marine mammal scientists and those amateur naturalists whose heads are turned by the alluring qualities of killer whales

Northwest Science

The book Killer Whales appeared in 1994 and was hailed as "an astounding accomplishment." It remains an indispensable guide for whale watchers and researchers, presenting twenty years of killer whale research in BC and Washington ... These books are full of amazing photographs and the dorsal ID shots will help identify the whales you see!

Wavelength

This beautiful book, full of color and black-and-white photographs, describes the cutting edge of killer whale research, in a highly readable format, by three of the world’s most prominent cetacean researchers. I would not cast off my lines without this book aboard.

Raincoast Research