Grieving Orca Resurfaces with Another Dead Calf, Raising Alarm for Endangered Population

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A grieving killer whale, known as Tahlequah (J35), has been spotted again in Puget Sound carrying the body of her deceased calf, J61. This heartbreaking event marks a significant loss for the critically endangered southern resident killer whale population, which is facing a steep decline.

Tahlequah previously made headlines in 2018 when she carried the body of her first calf for 17 days, showcasing her mourning behavior. Since then, she has lost two of her four documented calves, both of which were female, amidst growing concerns over the species' viability. The southern resident population, which has plummeted to just 73 individuals, faces a dire future, with only 23 believed to be breeding females.

The situation surrounding J61's sudden death has left researchers and conservationists deeply saddened. Early assessments indicated her health was precarious, reflecting the high mortality rates that new calves experience. The Center for Whale Research described the loss as particularly devastating given the potential future role of J61 in the population.

In light of these developments, conservation groups have urged the Canadian government to issue an emergency order to protect the waning species, which could be a decisive step in efforts to prevent further population collapse.

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