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12h ago

Researchers Confirm Southern Resident Orca J36 Pushed Deceased Newborn in Rosario Strait

Researchers are analyzing field data to determine whether the full-term calf was stillborn or died shortly after birth.

A female southern resident orca, designated J36, pushes a deceased newborn calf, which researchers said they believed to be full term or near full term, in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout, Center for Whale Research

Overview

  • CWR verified on Sept. 12 that J36 was seen pushing a dead female neonate with the umbilical cord attached east of the San Juan Islands.
  • The calf was assessed as full-term or near full-term and likely born within the previous three days.
  • Teams from SR3, SeaDoc Society, and The Whale Museum joined CWR on scene to document and measure the calf and mother.
  • CWR said it will release additional information as investigators review measurements and observations.
  • Southern Residents remain endangered at roughly 74 whales, and researchers highlight links between mortality and Chinook salmon scarcity alongside PCB pollution pressures.