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Southern Resident Killer Whale Seen with Another Dead Calf Off Vancouver Island
The Center for Whale Research said the population has about 75 whales in three pods, underscoring ongoing reproductive losses and recovery challenges.
- On Saturday, researchers from The Center spotted the orca known as J31 carrying a dead newborn calf in the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Sombrio Point off Vancouver Island.
- The calf's death is "particularly significant given J31's reproductive history," as the 31-year-old orca has previously suffered failed pregnancies and reproductive losses.
- Other Southern Resident killer whales, including J35 and J36, have exhibited similar behavior; J31 previously carried a dead calf for at least 11 days in early 2025, though she has one surviving offspring, J56.
- The Center stated the cause of death remains unknown and it is unclear if the newborn was male or female, yet emphasized that "for a population as small as the southern residents, the successful birth and survival of every calf matters."
- Recovery for the critically endangered population, which stands at roughly 75, depends on creating conditions where mothers and calves thrive, with Chinook salmon availability being particularly significant for reproduction.
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Total News Sources40
Leaning Left30Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution79% Left
Bias Distribution
- 79% of the sources lean Left
79% Left
L 79%
C 21%
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