Executive Director, Endangered Species Coalition
Most of us don’t dwell on the mysteries of the universe, but they matter. Our interconnectedness, in particular, matters for people — and for wildlife out there in those wild places. Some species are more linked than others. In Malcolm Gladwell’s world, we’d call them “connectors.” In science, they’re called “keystone species.” These animals, and even some plants, have a large impact on the creatures surrounding them — so large that the habitat would be fundamentally different without them.
Salmon are amazing connectors; they connect to more than 190 plants and animals. So when salmon go missing, it’s like the life of the party has suddenly disappeared — everyone feels it. It may not surprise you to learn that salmon are an important food for orcas, sharks, sea lions, seals, otters, and bears…
