Researchers using a drone captured images of the newest southern resident baby orca frolicking with its pod and appearing healthy.
The encounter on Feb. 17 near the U.S. San Juan Islands east of Victoria showed J62 — earlier confirmed to be a female — swimming alongside other members of J Pod, playfully twirling and rubbing her body against her mother, J41, and other family members.
The “mostly tight group,” which also included J51, J58 and J56, was cruising north along the Canada-United States boundary.
The Center for Whale Research, based in Friday Harbor, Washington, said the show of socialization indicated the calf was “filling out and acting normally.”
“For southern resident killer whales, the bonds between family members are key to their survival,” the research group said in a social media post. “Observations of these interactions with new calves, such as J62, are crucial for understanding more about these whales’ social and familial dynamics.”
The critically endangered southern residents — down to 73 animals in three pods — recently suffered the loss of calf J61, which was born in December but died suddenly just weeks later.
That prompted its mother, J35, or Tahlequah, to carry and push the dead calf for several days, something she had done previously with another lost calf.
All eyes are now on J62.
“The birth of any new calf is significant, but a female calf is especially exciting given the vital role she may play in the future of this endangered population,” said the Center for Whale Research. “While we are cautiously optimistic about 62’s health and survival, this news brings hope for the Southern Residents.”
