Orca who carried dead calf for over two weeks gives birth

In 2018, Southern Resident Killer Whale mother Tahlequah carried her dead calf for 17 days. Two years later, she’s given birth to a new, presumably healthy calf.

According to the Center for Whale Research, the new calf, dubbed J57, appears to be “healthy and precocious, swimming vigorously alongside its mother” as of Sunday. It’s believed that J57 was born around Sept. 4, 2020.

We are pleased to report a NEW calf in J pod! J35's new calf appeared healthy and precocious, swimming vigorously alongside its mother in its second day of free-swimming life.https://t.co/6bSnvzRAju pic.twitter.com/ctxRQqPnn8

— Whale Research (@CWROrcas) September 6, 2020

Researchers first found out that Tahlequah was pregnant in July — at the time, her calf was given a 50% chance of surviving its first year. While pregnancies are not unusual, most pregnancies for the southern resident whales are not successful. Tahlequah already has one grown offspring who is still part of the J-pod.

Southern Resident orcas have been dealing with declining numbers and health problems for years. Between 2008 and 2014, over two-thirds of Southern Resident pregnancies ended in miscarriage. The calves that are born have trouble surviving their first year of life.

Experts say that a lack of Chinook salmon (orcas’ main food source) in the Puget Sound, polluted waters and food, and vessel noise all are contributing to the Southern Residents’ status as endangered — and that they could go extinct if things don’t change.

That makes the birth and survival of Tahlequah’s new calf that much more important for the future of the Puget Sound’s orca population. Following the birth of J57, there are now approximately 73 Southern Resident Killer Whales.

KIRO Radio’s Nicole Jennings contributed to this report.

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