Another New Baby in J pod!

— from the Center for Whale Research —

Another whale is born to the endangered Orcas, announced on Feb. 12, 2015. Shown here are J19 and J51. Photo courtesy of Dave Ellifrit of the Whale Museum

After spending the past two weeks near the west entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, J pod finally came back into the interior Salish Sea waters and showed off another brand new baby whale to the few observers that braved the mist and light rain and watched the whales swim by from land and from vessels at respectful distance.

Dave Ellifrit from the Center for Whale Research, and Jeanne Hyde who first heard the whales on Lime Kiln hydrophone this morning [Feb.12], embarked on the Center ‘s research vessel “Chimo” to Haro Strait while CWR Senior Scientist, KenBalcomb, watched from shore and managed communications.

The late December calf, J50, with its J16 family were seen today as well; but, the big news is that J19 and J41 were swimming protectively on either side on another new baby that we estimate is about one week old. This newest addition to Jpod is designated J51, and the presumed mother is thirty-six year old J19. Her ten-year old daughter, J41, was also in attendance. The newest baby appears healthy.

This brings us to twenty-six whales in J pod, the most viable pod in the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale population of the US and Canada Pacific Northwest. K pod has 19 individuals, and L pod has34 individuals for a total population of 79 SRKW’s as of today. That number can change anytime with the birth or death of one of these charismatic whales

The Center for​ Whale Research (CWR) is dedicated to the study and conservation of the Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orca) population in the Pacific Northwest. To contribute to its work, go to https://www.whaleresearch.com/#!membership/cgbo