Should orcas have rights? One western Washington community has taken a step toward granting them the same rights as people.  Southern Resident killer whales are as synonymous with the Pacific Northwest as mountains or rain. "They're one of the more majestic and visible animals we have," said Port Townsend Mayor David Faber. "And they're animals that we see die." Southern Resident orcas are dying at an alarming rate. There are only 73 left in the world, which is down from 88 in 2005 when they were first placed on the endangered species list.  Heartbreaking scenes from 2018 captured a mother orca carrying her dead calf for 17 days and 1,000 miles through the Salish Sea. Those images have helped prompt new calls to give the whales even greater protections -- like those offered to humans. This week, Mayor Faber signed a proclamation giving "inherent rights" to Southern Resident orcas. "There's been an emerging trend in law for years, and Washington has been a leader, recognizing that animals and living creatures are more than just objects," said Faber, an attorney. READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/port-townsend-recognizes-rights-of-southern-resident-orcas/281-f823de77-9d1a-4177-968c-bf81853d39f2