MYNORTHWEST NEWS

New photo shows orca’s health continues to decline

May 17, 2019, 4:11 PM | Updated: 4:20 pm

orca...

Images obtained by Holly Fearnbach (SR3) and John Durban (NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center) using a remotely-piloted drone. (NOAA Fisheries - West Coast Region)

(NOAA Fisheries - West Coast Region)

New photos show an endangered southern resident orca is continuing to decline, heightening concerns for her survival.

John Durban, a researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, discovered further emaciation in J17 since his fall 2018 survey while conducting his spring survey.

The non-invasive survey was conducted by drone photography in conjunction with Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research.

The matriarch in her clan now has a pronounced “peanut head,” which indicates severe loss of body fat.

The survey also says J17’s daughter, J53, has deteriorated since last fall. J53 is three-and-a-half years old. Scientists said that J17’s health has deteriorated since giving birth to her daughter in the fall of 2015.

There are only 75 southern residents left, and the lives of matriarchs are critical to the success of their family. Scientists say there are several factors impacting the health of the southern resident orcas, including malnutrition, disease, and disturbances.

NOAA called J17’s body condition very poor and said it is monitoring during the summer but that there’s no plan at this time to intervene in the situation. The Northwest Fisheries Science Center plans to collect feces, breath, and scraps of the whales’ prey when available to give scientists information about the orcas’ diet, exposure to pathogen’s and potential pregnancies.

Meanwhile, there have been 18 gray whales that have washed up on Washington beaches this year according to Crosscut. A 42-foot female was found on a beach in Everett on May 5. A necropsy by Cascadia Research, WDFW, and World Vets didn’t reveal an apparent cause of death, but the whale showed signs “consistent with nutritional stress.”

At least 53 gray whales have washed ashore along the West Coast this spring, according to USA Today.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

2 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

3 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

4 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

5 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

6 hours ago

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.

9 hours ago

New photo shows orca’s health continues to decline