An orca has been born to the southern residents: L128, calf of a first-time, 31-year-old mom, L90.
The baby is tiny, with clear fetal folds, making it probably about 3 days old. It was seen for the first time on Sunday, said Michael Weiss, research director for the Center for Whale Research, which confirmed the birth on Monday.
Mom and baby appear to be doing fine, Weiss said. The baby is nursing and moving normally, and mom looks physically robust. The pair was seen traveling up and down the west side of San Juan Island all day Monday.
"Any birth is good news," said Weiss, who helps track the J, K, and L pods that make up the southern residents, a distinct population of fish-eating orcas that frequent the Salish Sea. The orcas, listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, have struggled to rebuild their numbers after years of losses.
Everyone is hoping for a female, but the gender of the baby is not yet known. The July 1 census was 73 whales, which does not count the new baby.
Also seen recently was L25, confirming she is still leading the pods as the oldest southern resident — perhaps the oldest orca ever known. Possibly born in 1928, L25 carries the vast generational knowledge of countless miles, traveling and finding fish for her family. The older matriarchs lead the pods, particularly in times when fish are scarce.
New calves face tough odds, with about half of newborns not surviving their first year. One of the challenges is toxins in their mother's milk, especially for an older, first-time mom like L90. Pollutants are carried to the calf in the fat of the mother's milk.
The southern residents are battling extinction. They are facing a lack of adequate, regularly available food because of the decline of Chinook salmon throughout their range. Orcas preferentially target Chinook, the biggest, fattiest salmon. They also will eat chum and coho.
Orcas form lifelong family bonds, with the young never leaving their mothers. They are highly social, deeply intelligent top predators. They share language, greeting ceremonies and care of their young. Matriarchs such as L25 also share most of what they catch.
J pod is the pod most likely seen year-round in the waters of the San Juan Islands, British Columbia and even the urban waters of Seattle. According to the Center for Whale Research, J pod has 25 members. K pod has the fewest members, with 15 members. L pod is the largest of the three, with 33 members, not counting the newest baby.
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