The killer whale was a calf. saw Several days ago in the Puget Sound area off Washington state. On Tuesday, the Center identified J35, also known as Tahlequah. The child’s mother. The calf, a girl, was designated J61.
It’s not all good news for mother and baby though.
“The team, including several experienced killer whale researchers, has raised concerns about the calf’s health based on the behavior of both J35 and J61,” the Center for Whale Research wrote in a Facebook post. “Early life is always dangerous for new calves, with a high mortality rate in the first year. J35 is an experienced mother, and we hope she will be able to see J61 through these difficult early days. ”
The organization, which tracks southern resident orca populations in the Pacific Northwest, did not specify what prompted the concern. Based in Seattle Orca Conservancy Researchers wrote on social media that the calf was born prematurely. The Orca Conservancy said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was able to spend time on the water with the calf and observed “extended periods of time underwater that indicate attempts at nursing or feeding.”
The Orca Conservancy wrote, “The calf was also seen pushing around J35’s head and did not appear alive, which is a cause for concern. is, but also involves calf behavior that is not fully understood,” the Orca Conservancy wrote.
Tahlequah too gave birth For a calf in 2020. At the time, experts hailed this as big news, as up to 70% of orca pregnancies end in miscarriage or with the calf dying shortly after birth.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, southern resident killer whales, such as Tahlequah, are the only endangered killer whale population in the United States. The 2020 summer population census counted only 72 southern resident killer whales, although several calves have been born since the census. Although the rehabilitation project was completed in 2008, the population continues to struggle. A reduction of more than 10 percent Since 2005
“Southern resident killer whale populations need adequate access to their food supply, especially salmon, to survive and thrive,” the Center for Whale Research wrote in a Facebook post. “Every birth counts and these whales need enough fish to support themselves and their calves. We need habitat restoration, dam removal, and sustainable fisheries management in the Pacific Northwest. continue to advocate for salmon recovery through