Overview

• Responders on Sept. 12 confirmed J36 was carrying a deceased female neonate with the umbilical cord attached east of the San Juan Islands.
• Researchers estimated the calf was full term or close to it and likely born within the previous three days.
• Teams from the Center for Whale Research, SR3, SeaDoc Society and the Whale Museum documented and measured the calf, with cause of death still undetermined.
• Investigators limited invasive sampling, including fecal collection from the mother, to avoid further disturbance during mourning.
• Scientists tie recurring pregnancy failures in the roughly 74-member Southern Resident population to scarce Chinook salmon and lingering PCB contamination, with prior cases including J35’s well-known calf losses.