MYNORTHWEST NEWS

NOAA has plans to capture sick orca, if necessary

Sep 12, 2018, 2:04 PM | Updated: 2:10 pm

orca...

Biologists attempt to feed J50 live salmon in early August. (NOAA West Coast Fisheries)

(NOAA West Coast Fisheries)

Federal wildlife experts are putting together a plan to capture the ailing orca, J50, nicknamed “Scarlet,” but they stress they would only do that as a “last resort.”

RELATED: Seattle market to stop selling chinook to help orcas

“We are preparing to rescue J50 if she ultimately is separated from her family unit or stranded alive and rescuing her is our only alternative that is before us,” Chris Yates, with NOAA Fisheries Assistant Regional Administrator.

Killer whales have strong family units and scientists don’t want to disrupt the J pod, part of the endangered southern resident killer whales.

Yates said their objective is that J50 survives in the wild and contributes to the recovery of the resident whales.

Scarlet is dangerously thin. Veterinarians have twice administered antibiotics to her, but they’ve seen no improvement and admit they don’t have a clear diagnosis for what’s causing her to be so ill. They had also planned to give her a dewormer, but have not been able to get close enough under the right weather conditions.

A “hands-on” examination would give them more information.

Veterinarians say J50’s survival is important.

“Because she’s an important part of the population, young, female, has the potential to be a functioning part of her family and contribute to the recovery of the population,” said Lynne Barre, NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Authorization Program.

KIRO Radio’s Jillian Raftery contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

17 minutes ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

1 hour ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

2 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

3 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

5 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

14 hours ago

NOAA has plans to capture sick orca, if necessary