Orca Known for Mourning Dead Calf Welcomes New Baby

Researchers confirm the birth of a new calf to Tahlequah, the orca who carried her deceased offspring for 17 days in 2018, though concerns remain about the calf's health and survival.

The orca, identified as J35 or Tahlequah, gave birth to a female calf, designated J61, observed swimming with her in Puget Sound on December 20, 2024.
Tahlequah made global headlines in 2018 for carrying her dead calf for 17 days and 1,000 miles in what was seen as an act of mourning.
Researchers have expressed concerns about J61's health, noting early-life challenges and potential signs of prematurity, which could affect her survival.
The Southern Resident killer whale population, to which Tahlequah belongs, is critically endangered, with only 73 individuals recorded in the 2024 census.
Experts emphasize the importance of restoring salmon populations, the whales' primary food source, to support the survival of new calves and the broader orca community.