Washington State – Last week, whale watchers in Washington state spotted an endangered orca carrying a deceased newborn calf in Rosario Strait. The Center for Whale Research broke the heartbreaking news to Facebook followers on September 13, writing:
Late in the morning on September 12th, several sources alerted CWR researchers to apparent sightings of a southern resident killer whale pushing a deceased calf in Rosario Strait. CWR researchers arrived in the area in the early afternoon, and sadly were able to confirm that southern resident J36 was pushing a deceased female neonate, with umbilical cord still attached.
Experts believe the calf was full term, or close to full term, based on her size; the calf was likely born within three days prior to the observation of her being pushed by J36. The agency writes:
Researchers from SR3, SeaDoc Society, and the Whale Museum soon arrived on scene and conducted further documentation and measurement. We will share more when we can, and work with the other research teams to piece together what information we can about this calf and J36’s status.
The Southern Resident orca population off Washington and Canada is critically endangered, with only 73 individuals remaining. The number of resident whales is declining because their primary food source, Chinook salmon, is declining due to habitat destruction.
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