Killer Whale Goes to Court - On October 8, 2008, the David Suzuki Foundation, along with seven other environmental organizations, filed a lawsuit against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for failing to legally protect the critical habitat of one of B.C.’s most iconic animal, the killer whale. Under Canada’s Species at Risk Act the government can legally protect an endangered species’ critical habitat, however, for killer whales, the government has chosen not to. This is a precedent setting case that begs the question: if the government can legally opt out of protecting an endangered species’ critical habitat then what is the utility of having a Species at Risk Act? Killer whales are threatened by lack of food (Pacific salmon), noise, and toxins. Maintaining killer whale populations on the Pacific Coast will require a concerted effort by the public and all levels of government. We will keep you posted on the status of the court case. For additional information, visit Ecojustice.