— by Lin McNulty, with Orca Conservancy and Center for Whale Research —
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“Yeah! Great news!” reported the Center for Whale Research on Friday Harbor. They finally have a new calf in L-pod.
The proud mother is 23-year-old L86, and this is her second calf. She was seen on September 6 by CWR staff with the brand new calf who will be designated L120. This is the first new calf in the Souhern Resident Killer Whale population since 2012.
The birth is sorely needed in the Southern Resident population. Their numbers had just dipped to 78, the lowest count in over a decade. Meanwhile, the Northern Resident Community of British Columbia have steadily increased in numbers, and transient or marine mammal-eating orcas seem to be thriving in the Sound and Straits. Yet the Southerns continue to struggle to recover. Researchers attribute the problem to lack of prey, primarily their preferred diet of wild Chinook salmon. While the population is hardly out of the woods, any new baby is worth celebrating.
“We wouldn’t have known about it, but heard from David Ellifritt out on the water that L86 had a new calf,” explained Capt. Jim Maya of Maya’s Westside Whale Charters on San Juan Island. “What a thrill to be there at the right time in the right place. Everyone on board was so excited. I’ve never seen a calf born, but it’s always a thrill to be there the day a new calf was discovered.”
“I remember someone saw a shot of L86 breaching back in June and word got out that she had a little ‘baby bump,’” explains Michael Harris, Executive Director of the PWWA. “This is great news. But every time a baby’s born, we’re careful not to pass out the cigars too soon. Infant mortality is really high among wild orcas, especially these Southern Residents. This little whale has a tough road ahead. Every birth is exciting, but we’ll be especially thrilled and relieved to see L120 rolling back into the Sound and Straits next summer.”
HOW TO HELP: For all those who want to help the whales, become a Member of The Center for Whale Research! The Pacific Whale Watch Association is proud to be a longtime supporter of Ken Balcomb and his team. Help them help the whales. www.whaleresearch.com
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