Tahlequah, an orca mother known as J35, was observed carrying her dead calf across the waters near Washington State. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shared images of this on social media, according to n-tv.
The calf, designated J61, lived for only about a week before its death. The loss saddened scientists and marked a setback for the endangered Southern Resident orca population. According to n-tv, this population numbers only 73 individuals, making each loss more critical.
"I think it's fair to say that she is grieving or mourning," said Joe Gaydos, wildlife veterinarian and chief scientist of the SeaDoc Society Program at the University of California, Davis, noting the impact on both the whales and the scientists who follow them, according to Breitbart News.
Tahlequah became a symbol of her species' plight in 2018 when she carried her dead calf for more than 17 days, attracting international attention. According to Frankfurter Allgemeine, this prolonged display of mourning shed light on the deep emotional bonds among orcas.
The Southern Resident killer whales, including Tahlequah's pod, are classified as endangered in Canada and the US. They inhabit waters near western Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the US. The population faces challenges, primarily due to a scarcity of their main prey, Chinook salmon. As People reports, the decline in Chinook salmon is attributed to habitat loss, climate change, commercial fishing, and dam construction.
Scientists have observed that orca calves have a high mortality rate, particularly during their first year. According to Femme Actuelle, only one in five pregnancies results in a calf surviving to its first birthday, with an estimated mortality rate of up to 50%.
Despite the recent tragedy, there is hope. Another newborn calf, designated J62, has been sighted in the same area and appears healthy. As La República reports, this is a positive sign amid the ongoing struggles faced by these orcas.
Researchers are closely monitoring Tahlequah and her pod. "Every single birth counts," stated the Center for Whale Research, emphasizing the need for sufficient food supplies to support the whales and their calves, according to People.
"This is an unfortunate way to start the new year with the news that Southern Resident killer whale J35 has lost another calf and is again keeping it with her," said Michael Milstein, a public affairs officer with NOAA, during a news conference on January 2.
The loss of J61 is particularly devastating not only because she was a female who could have become a future pod matriarch, but also considering Tahlequah's history. "As far as we know, she has lost two of the four calves she has brought into the world," announced scientists, emphasizing the importance of this loss for the population's future, according to T-Online.
Besides food scarcity, the Southern Resident orcas face additional threats. Noise pollution from ships and boats in their habitat hinders their hunting and exacerbates their struggle for survival. According to T-Online, these factors, along with other pollution and boat disturbances, contribute to the decline of the orca community.
Conservationists are advocating for measures to support the recovery of the orcas' primary prey, Chinook salmon, through habitat restoration and rational management of fisheries. According to BBC News, the Center for Whale Research calls for salmon recovery efforts to bolster the whales' survival.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.