The Brief
- A southern resident killer whale named J31 was spotted carrying her dead newborn calf near Sombrio Point on Oct. 3.
- Researchers note the loss highlights ongoing reproductive struggles within the critically endangered population.
- Experts emphasize that recovery depends heavily on restoring adequate Chinook salmon supplies for the whales.
A southern resident orca was seen carrying her dead newborn calf on her snout near the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Oct. 3, according to the Center for Whale Research.
Southern resident orca J31 seen carrying her dead calf on her snout. (Center for Whale Research – NMFS/NOAA Permit #27038)
Dead orca calf spotted near Strait of Juan de Fuca
What we know:
A researcher with the Center for Whale Research spotted the female orca, identified as J31, carrying the deceased newborn calf near Sombrio Point in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
This is not the first time J31 has suffered a loss. She previously carried a deceased calf back in 2016. However, J31 also successfully raised a healthy daughter born in 2019.…