The Center for Whale Research (CWR) has confirmed the birth of a new calf to Tahlequah, a Southern Resident killer whale known for carrying her deceased calf for 30 days in 2018. The calf, designated as J61, is a female and is being closely monitored by CWR researchers who are concerned about her health.
A new calf, designated as J61, was first seen traveling with the Southern Resident killer whale J pod on Friday. The Center for Whale Research (CWR) has now confirmed that the calf is the offspring of Tahlequah , the whale who gained international attention for her 30-day carrying of her deceased calf in 2018. The CWR said multiple encounters and observations have allowed the organization to determine both the calf's mother and sex.
The CWR team observing J61, which includes multiple experienced killer whale researchers, said Tuesday it is concerned about the calf's health because of the behavior of both the mother and young orca. The CWR said because Tahlequah is an experienced mother, the team has hope that she can keep her new calf alive through the difficult early days. The CWR said it determined the new calf recently born was a female after photographing the calf's underside.The Southern Resident killer whale population is comprised of three stable social groups, named the J, K, and L pods, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). While most orcas eat marine mammals and squid, the endangered Southern Resident killer whales only eat fish—primarily Chinook salmon. The CWR said 'The Southern Resident killer whale population needs ample access to their food supply, mainly salmon, to survive and thrive. Every single birth counts and these whales need enough fish to be able to support themselves and their calves.' The CWR said it considers a whale missing or presumed dead if three consecutive encounters have passed without a sighting alongside its family. “This population needs every new addition it can get, and the loss of a calf is always tragic,” the CWR wrote. “For L90 in particular, the loss of her first documented live-born calf would be a major blow.” The Southern Resident population has shown an overall declining trend since 1995, falling from 98 whales to 73 whales as of December 2021, and is federally listed as endangered in the U.S
Killer Whale Southern Resident Birth Tahlequah Endangered Species
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