CWR | The loss of J36’s calf

It is with heavy hearts that we share that late in the morning on September 12th, several sources alerted our team to apparent sightings of a southern resident killer whale pushing a deceased calf in Rosario Strait.

CWR researchers arrived in the area in the early afternoon, and sadly were able to confirm that southern resident J36 was pushing a deceased female neonate, with umbilical cord still attached. Based on the size of the calf, we estimate that the calf was either full term or near full term. It is unclear if this was a stillbirth or if the calf died shortly after birth. Based on when we last observed J36, this calf would have been born within the last 3 days.

Researchers from SR3, SeaDoc Society, and the Whale Museum soon arrived on scene and conducted further documentation and measurement.

We will share more when we can, and work with the other research teams to piece together what information we can about this calf and J36’s status.