Animal lovers around BC and the world have joined a famous southern resident killer whale in mourning after the news broke that she had lost another baby.
Washington-based Center for Whale Research (CWR) announced on New Year’s Day that a recently discovered J-pod calf, female J61, had not survived.
J-pod is one of three pods of orcas found in the Pacific Northwest. It can be seen around the San Juan Islands, the Strait of Georgia, the Southern Canadian Gulf Islands, and Puget Sound.
J61’s mother, a female orca known as J35 or Tahlequah, has been seen carrying the body of the deceased calf with her.
“This behaviour was seen previously by J35 in 2018 when she carried the body of her deceased calf for 17 days,” said the CWR on social media. “We hope to have more information on the situation through further observation and will provide more details at that time.
“The death of any calf in the SRKW population is a tremendous loss, but the death of J61 is particularly devastating, not just because she was a female, who could have one day potentially led her own matriline but also given the history of her mother J35 who has now lost two out of four documented calves – both of which were female. The entire team at the Center for Whale Research is deeply saddened by this news and we will continue to provide updates when we can.”
Centre for Whale Research
J61 was first seen travelling with J-pod on December 20 and was only given its alpha-numeric designation shortly before Christmas.
Dozens of animal lovers shared their messages of sorrow on the CWR announcement.
“My heart BREAKS for J35 and the whole family,” said Josie Baltan.
“Maternal love has no boundaries… God speed baby calf,” added Carol Johnston.
Center for Whale Research
CWR did add some good news on a “day of extreme highs and lows.” The nonprofit organization has confirmed a new calf designated J62 has begun travelling with the J19s and J16s in J-pod.
“The calf was amongst multiple females throughout their encounter, so more observations are needed to verify who the mother is,” explained CWR. “The calf’s sex is not yet known but the team reports that the calf appeared physically and behaviourally normal.”