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Southern resident orca calf missing, presumed dead: Center for Whale Research
J64, born to first-time mother J42, likely died weeks after birth, reflecting high calf mortality linked to poor nutrition and toxin exposure in the endangered Southern Resident orca population.
- On Nov. 3, 2025, the Center for Whale Research confirmed that newborn orca calf J64 is believed to have died weeks after first being spotted with the Southern Resident killer whales.
- Declining Chinook salmon runs have reduced prey and increased toxin transfer, with scientists attributing high calf death rates to poor nutrition and toxins passed from mothers to calves during gestation and nursing.
- Researchers watched closely during the encounter for the tiny calf to surface beside its mother but it never appeared, and photographs from the follow-up encounters showed J64 was not present with J42 or other J pod members.
- CWR's tally puts the population at 74, and J64 is the second J Pod baby to die in two months, with two of four recent calves now deceased, deepening the species' decline.
- Given the monitoring protocol, researchers call for stronger salmon restoration; Garrett warned, `Well, that's unfortunately all too typical of the southern residents these days that about 50% of the babies that are born do not survive more than a year`, urging public engagement.
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Southern resident orca calf missing, presumed dead: Center for Whale Research
FRIDAY HARBOR — The group that has been tracking southern resident killer whales since the 1970s says a calf in one of the three pods is missing and thought to be dead. The Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor, Wash.
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Total News Sources33
Leaning Left17Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution74% Left
Bias Distribution
- 74% of the sources lean Left
74% Left
L 74%
C 26%
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