Killer whales of the Northeastern Pacific consist of multiple populations &amp ecotypes, but obtaining samples from these free-ranging animals remains opportunistic. Noninvasive samples such as feces, expelled mucus, sloughed skin, &amp exhaled breath can be valuable sources of animal-associated microbiomes. These types of samples are analyzed for microbiomes as well as specific microorganisms, serving as a source of health information for poorly monitored marine mammals.