A new member of the critically endangered southern resident orca population has been spotted in Puget Sound, bringing joy and hope to researchers and whale enthusiasts.
The calf, designated as J58, was first seen on December 25, 2023, swimming alongside its mother, J36, also known as Alki.
The pair was part of a larger group of about 20 whales that were seen near Vashon Island, Washington.
The challenges of orca survival
OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images
The southern resident orcas are a distinct population of killer whales that live in the waters of the Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia to California.
They are culturally and genetically different from other orca populations, and have a unique diet that consists mainly of Chinook salmon.
However, the southern resident orcas have been facing multiple threats to their survival, such as habitat loss, pollution, noise disturbance, and food scarcity.
Their population has declined from a peak of 98 individuals in 1995 to only 74 in 2020, according to the Center for Whale Research.
The birth of a new calf is a rare and precious event for the southern resident orcas, as they have a low reproductive rate and a high mortality rate.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), only about 40% of orca calves survive their first year of life, and only about 25% of females produce more than one offspring in their lifetime.
The sighting of J58 is a sign of hope for the southern resident orca recovery, as it indicates that the population still has the potential to grow and thrive.
J58 is the second calf born to the J pod, one of the three pods that make up the southern resident population, in 2023.
The first calf, J57, was born in September to J35, also known as Tahlequah, who made headlines in 2018 when she carried her dead calf for 17 days in a display of grief.
The birth of J58 also coincides with the implementation of new measures to protect and restore the southern resident orca habitat and prey.
In November 2023, the U.S. government announced the expansion of the critical habitat designation for the southern resident orcas, adding more than 15,000 square miles of marine waters along the West Coast.
The expanded habitat will provide more protection from activities that could harm the orcas or their prey, such as oil spills, vessel traffic, and military exercises.
Additionally, in December 2023, the Canadian government announced the release of more than 60 million juvenile Chinook salmon into the Pacific Ocean, as part of a five-year plan to boost the salmon population and support the orca recovery.
The plan also includes habitat restoration, fishery management, and hatchery enhancement.
The newborn orca calf J58 is a symbol of hope and resilience for the southern resident population, and a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts.
As Ken Balcomb, the founder and principal investigator of the Center for Whale Research, said in an interview, "We are pleased to welcome this new calf to the population, and we hope that it will grow up healthy and contribute to the recovery of its kind."
