Latest news with #CenterforWhaleResearch
Miami Herald
09-04-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Baby killer whale spotted with first-time mom near Washington, photos show
A critically endangered killer whale group has welcomed a new calf after it was spotted for the first time near Washington. The Southern Resident killer whale baby was discovered April 6 in the Salish Sea, the Center for Whale Research said in a Facebook post. The pod was swimming past Victoria Harbour, which is on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, when a biologist saw a peachy orange colored baby, the conservation group said. This new calf was swimming with J-40, making her a first-time mom, the nonprofit said. The calf has since been identified as J-63, and so far, 'there are no immediate concerns,' the nonprofit said. 'Each new calf is vitally important to this critically endangered population — every birth counts — and we're hopeful that this young whale will continue to thrive,' the whale group said. The group said J-63 is the fourth whale to be born into the endangered whale population this past year. One of those new whales is J-62 who was first discovered on New Year's Eve off Washington, McClatchy News reported. What to know about the orcas Southern Resident killer whales were listed as an endangered species in 2005 and are listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These whales are made up of three groups: J, K and L pods. They spend summer and fall months in the Puget Sound and in the waters off southern Vancouver Island, NOAA said. J pod frequents the western shore of the San Juan Islands. 'While most other killer whale populations are doing well, the Southern Residents are among the world's most endangered marine mammals,' the federal agency said. Lack of prey (mainly Chinook salmon), chemical pollution and noise disturbances from vessels have all contributed to a decline in their population, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, for this whale population, 69% of births fail, according to a study published by researchers from the University of Washington.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Baby killer whale spotted with first-time mom near Washington, photos show
A critically endangered killer whale group has welcomed a new calf after it was spotted for the first time near Washington. The Southern Resident killer whale baby was discovered April 6 in the Salish Sea, the Center for Whale Research said in a Facebook post. The pod was swimming past Victoria Harbour, which is on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, when a biologist saw a peachy orange colored baby, the conservation group said. Baby killer whale with peachy coloring seen bonding with family off WA. 'Phenomenal' This new calf was swimming with J-40, making her a first-time mom, the nonprofit said. The calf has since been identified as J-63, and so far, 'there are no immediate concerns,' the nonprofit said. 'Each new calf is vitally important to this critically endangered population — every birth counts — and we're hopeful that this young whale will continue to thrive,' the whale group said. The group said J-63 is the fourth whale to be born into the endangered whale population this past year. One of those new whales is J-62 who was first discovered on New Year's Eve off Washington, McClatchy News reported. Southern Resident killer whales were listed as an endangered species in 2005 and are listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These whales are made up of three groups: J, K and L pods. They spend summer and fall months in the Puget Sound and in the waters off southern Vancouver Island, NOAA said. J pod frequents the western shore of the San Juan Islands. 'While most other killer whale populations are doing well, the Southern Residents are among the world's most endangered marine mammals,' the federal agency said. Lack of prey (mainly Chinook salmon), chemical pollution and noise disturbances from vessels have all contributed to a decline in their population, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, for this whale population, 69% of births fail, according to a study published by researchers from the University of Washington. Watch as a golden retriever meets a whale off Hawaii. 'Her wish came true' Dead behemoth covered in shark bites washes onto NC beach, researchers say 36-foot emaciated sea creature washes up on California beach. Its death is a mystery
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New Southern Resident Orca calf spotted in the J Pod
Good news from the Salish Sea — there's been a sighting of a new orca calf swimming with our Southern Residents. The Center for Whale Research confirmed the calf on Sunday, April 6, after a field biologist spotted the J Pod traveling west in Victoria Harbor. That's when he saw the new calf, swimming alongside whale J40, who they're presuming to be the mother. If so, it's J40′s first calf, and the fourth born to the J-Pod in the past 12 months. Now designated J63, researchers say the new calf is 'a sign of hope for this endangered community.' The Center for Whale Research announced the discovery on Tuesday, adding, 'We remain cautiously optimistic about J63′s survival and will conduct follow-up observations of the calf's behavior and physical condition in the coming days and months, as opportunities allow. Each new calf is vitally important to this critically endangered population - every birth counts - and we're hopeful that this young whale will continue to thrive.' The Center for Whale Research has some exciting news! We are pleased to announce the arrival of a new calf in J Pod! On... Posted by Center for Whale Research on Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Killer whale becomes mom for first time. See her ‘little pumpkin' swim off Washington
A killer whale has become a first-time mom after a peachy-orange calf was spotted swimming with her off Washington, a whale watching group said. The baby orca was discovered March 20 in the Salish Sea between Port Townsend and the San Juan Islands, the Pacific Whale Watch Association said in a March 25 news release. It was swimming alongside its mother, T046B3 'Sedna,' and more than a dozen other Bigg's killer whales that day, the group said. It has been seen several more times since then. 'We encountered this little pumpkin on our Saturday adventure,' Island Adventures Whale Watching said in a March 24 Facebook post. Photos show the calf's orange coloring and fetal folds from being inside its mother's womb, the group said. 'These factors are normal and indicate the calf is quite young, likely a week or two at most,' said Erin Gless, the whale group's executive director. Instead of the classic white, calves are born with a peachy-orange color because they have a thinner blubber layer, so the blood vessels are closer to the skin's surface, according to the Center for Whale Research. This would be Sedna's first known calf, the group said. She's 14 years old, and her name means 'mother of the sea' in Inuktitut, an indigenous language spoken in the Canadian Arctic. West Coast Bigg's killer whales — also called Transients — are apex predators that live off the Pacific Coast, according to the Georgia Strait Alliance. They hunt marine mammals and are known for their 'dramatic hunting soirees,' the environmental organization said. These creatures eat sea lions, porpoises and other whales. There are about 400 Bigg's killer whales swimming off the Pacific Coast that travel from northern California to Alaska and are commonly seen in the Salish Sea. Unlike the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, these whales are listed as threatened under the Species at Risk Act, and their numbers are growing. Feeling stressed? Watch these massive sea creatures swim in harmony off California coast Orcas seen hunting 'prickly' species for the first time, study says. 'Groundbreaking' 'Gentle giant' rarely seen in Southern California waters stuns boaters. See video
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Baby killer whale with peachy coloring seen bonding with family off WA. ‘Phenomenal'
A peachy-colored baby killer whale was seen bonding and socializing with her family off Washington, drone footage shows. The endangered calf, J-62, was filmed during a Feb. 17 encounter off San Juan Island in the Salish Sea, the Center for Whale Research said in a March 4 Facebook post. The nonprofit said it used a drone and got aerial footage of some J pod members, including J-41, J-51, J-58 and J-56. Researchers suspect J-41 is the calf's mother, McClatchy News reported. Video shows the calf swimming closely with the other orcas. At one point, J-62 is seen rolling and splashing in the water over another whale. The female calf is easy to spot because of her small size and peachy-orange coloring. Instead of the classic white, calves are born with a peachy color because they have a thinner blubber layer, so the blood vessels are closer to the skin's surface, the nonprofit said. The color will eventually fade as she gets older and becomes more insulated with blubber, typically within a year, according to the Georgia Strait Alliance, an environmental organization. 'Phenomenal. The drone footage is so brilliant, gives such an insight, I love it,' one person commented on Facebook. This calf was first spotted on New Year's Eve, according to a Jan. 1 Facebook post. She appears to be 'filling out and acting normally,' the nonprofit said. Southern Resident killer whales were listed as endangered species in 2005 and are listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These whales are made up of three groups: J, K and L pods. They spend summer and fall months in the Puget Sound and in the waters off southern Vancouver Island, NOAA said. J pod frequents the western shore of the San Juan Islands. 'While most other killer whale populations are doing well, the Southern Residents are among the world's most endangered marine mammals,' the federal agency said. Lack of prey (mainly Chinook salmon), chemical pollution and noise disturbances from vessels have all contributed to a decline in their population, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, for this whale population, 69% of births fail, according to a study published by researchers from the University of Washington. 'Beautiful' baby sea creature swims with mom off CA coast. See 'amazing' photos of duo Massive goldfish found in Pennsylvania waterway, wildlife officials say. 'Cute to brute' What do narwhals use their tusks for? First-of-its-kind drone footage offers clues
