Natalie Sanders

Natalie Sanders is a British marine biologist, author and consultant. She specialises in ecology and conservation, focusing on whales and dolphins. Sanders is best known for her recent book The Last Sunset in the West (2024), which examines the decline of the West Coast community of orcas and the environmental challenges they face.

Born and raised in Berkshire, Sanders developed an interest in the marine world from an early age. After completing a PhD in marine biology, she worked as an aquaculture ecology consultant with organisations such as the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and charities in British Columbia. Her work has resulted in several peer-reviewed publications, scientific reports and a book chapter on marine protected areas.

In The Last Sunset in the West, Sanders recounts her 2014 research expedition aboard the ship Silurian to study the West Coast killer whale pod. She describes the individual orcas within the pod, such as John Coe and Moon, and explores the environmental threats they face, including pollution, entanglement and climate change.

The book combines personal observations with an analysis of the historical relationship between humans and orcas and offers insights into the future of marine conservation.

Natalie Sanders currently lives in the South West of England with her husband and two children.