Latest news with #J62
Axios
21-02-2025
- Science
- Axios
Newest orca brings girl power to endangered whales
The newest member of the endangered southern resident orcas is a female, the Center for Whale Research announced after a recent sighting. Why it matters: With fewer than 80 southern resident killer whales left, every birth is crucial — but a female calf brings extra hope for the species' survival. Driving the news: The new calf, known as J62, was "filling out nicely," rolling around and "bouncing" among family members, the center reported. Catch up quick: The birth was recorded just days before the death of another newborn female calf, J61, who was born in mid-December but was confirmed dead on New Year's Eve. State of play: On Feb. 15, whale researchers spotted several JPod members spread out and surfing near Victoria, B.C. Among them was J47, a 14-year-old sprouter, speeding through the waves alongside his mother, Tahlequah, known for previously carrying her dead calves in mourning. Researchers continued on and soon found J62, the pod's newest baby, tucked alongside her mother, J41.
CBC
20-02-2025
- Science
- CBC
In good news for J-pod, new killer whale calf is a female
The Center for Whale Research says it has confirmed a new killer whale calf in a pod of endangered orcas that live off B.C.'s southwest coast is female. It's a piece of good news for J-pod, after the recent death of another calf whose mother carried the carcass for days in what researchers said was a display of grief. The Washington state-based organization said on social media that the new calf known as J62 was seen on Feb. 8 off the San Juan Island, and researchers were able to photograph her belly and confirm her sex. The group says the calf appears to be doing well and is "filling out nicely." The centre has previously said that new females are important for southern resident killer whales as they are "largely limited by the number of reproductively aged females." The post this week also said researchers were able to confirm the adult female J35, or Tahlequah, is no longer carrying the body of her dead calf, which she started pushing around on Jan. 1.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
In good news for J-pod, killer whale calf is a female
VANCOUVER — The Centre for Whale Research says it has confirmed a new killer whale calf in a pod of endangered orcas that live off southwest British Columbia is female. It's a piece of good news for J-pod, after the recent death of another calf whose mother pushed the carcass for days in what researchers said was a display of grief. The Washington state-based organization says on social media that the new calf known as J62 was seen on Feb. 8 off the San Juan Island, and researchers were able to photograph her belly and confirm her sex. The group says the calf appears to be doing well and is "filling out nicely." The centre has previously said that new females are important for southern resident killer whales as they are "largely limited by the number of reproductively aged females." The post this week also says researchers were able to confirm the adult female J35, or Tahlequah, is no longer carrying the body of her dead calf, which she started pushing around Jan. 1. Researchers have previously said the behaviour is an apparent act of grief, and that J35 has now lost two of her four documented calves. She captured headlines worldwide when she pushed the remains of another calf for 17 days in 2018. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 19, 2025. The Canadian Press
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers confirm latest Orca calf is a girl
It's a girl! The Center for Whale Research is celebrating after learning the sex of the newest member of the Southern Resident Orcas' J Pod. Researchers say the calf was rolling around near the south end of Deadman's Bay, and they were able to get a close enough look to make the determination. The encounter happened on Feb. 8. The center says the calf appears to be doing well and 'was seen bouncing around between J41 and other members of the J19s.' The Center for Whale Research shared the announcement of J62′s birth on New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, the J Pod also suffered the loss of a female calf, J61. During the Feb. 8 encounter, researchers noted that the mother, J35, is no longer carrying around the calf's carcass. According to Orca Conservancy, there are an estimated 26 members of the J Pod. J Pod is often seen on the west side of San Juan Island, Southern Gulf Islands, central and south Puget Sound proper, and Georgia Strait. Encounter #6 • 8-Feb • J Pod - J62 is confirmed female! After receiving reports of probable residents off the west side... Posted by Center for Whale Research on Saturday, February 15, 2025
