what should we know before we free willy   ORCAS are marine
mammals: they are warm blooded, air breathing, and bear their
young alive. There is only one species of orca (Orcinus orca).
However, geographical isolation may have created different
unique races and populations. Near the Washington, British
Columbian and Alaskan coasts we know that there are at least two
distinct races of orcas. These are referred to as Transients and
Residents. Even though these two groups share the same ocean
space they differ in their social habits, range, diet and to
some extent even their physical appearance. In recent years a
third population, "Offshore", has been discovered living in
waters adjacent to the Pacific Northwest. Not as much is known
about this group, as sightings have been infrequent. They
probably represent another orca community rather than a unique
race of orcas.  Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin
family, Delphinidae. Males grow to a maximum length of about
32ft (9.8m) and weigh 10 - 11 tons (9-10,0