Once again she is back. Tahlequah, an endangered Pacific Northwest orca also known as J35, is grieving another loss.
Tahlequah made headlines in 2018 for carrying her dead calf for 17 days. She is now carrying another deceased calf, highlighting her grief, according to researchers. “I think it’s fair to say that she is grieving or mourning,” said Joe Gaydos, Joe Gaydos, science director of SeaDoc at the University of California.
Recent Calf’s Death
The new female calf, born roughly two weeks ago, lived only a “handful of days,” according to Brad Hanson of NOAA. J35 was observed draping the calf across her snout or head and diving to retrieve it when it sank.
Calf mortality in orcas is exceptionally high, with only 1 in 5 pregnancies resulting in calves that live to their first birthday, said the Center for Whale Research. J35 has now lost two of her four documented calves, adding to the devastating population decline.
Southern Resident Orcas in Decline
Southern resident killer whales, with only 73 individuals remaining, are facing extinction. This is mainly due to declining Chinook salmon populations, pollution, and vessel noise that interferes with their hunting.
Michael Weiss from the Center for Whale Research mentioned that the death of J35’s calf is particularly disheartening. The calf could have helped boost the struggling population.
However, there is some hope. Another new calf, J62, was observed alive, providing a glimmer of hope for these endangered whales.
Unique Social Behaviour and Identification
Southern resident orcas travel in matrilineal groups and are identified by unique markings or fin shapes. Their strong social bonds resemble those of primates and dolphins.“Other southern resident orcas have been observed carrying dead calves,” Weiss noted, “but not as long as J35 did in 2018.”
