The population of southern resident killer whales could see further decline

Just a month ago, whale researchers celebrated the birth of a new Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW), calf L128. Now they believe she is dying.

According to a press release from the Center for Whale Research (CWR), L128 was spotted off the coast of Vancouver Island, carried by L83, who is not her mother.

More about the calf: A day-old orca whale calf was spotted swimming between pods in the Strait of Georgia

Researchers said the calf was emaciated and barely breathing.

“The calf appeared lumpy and thin,” CWR explained.

According to the researchers, the calf was also in much worse condition than previous observations as it was nursing and moving well. CWR said Mark spotted the calf near Boat Mike 1.

“L90 was nearby foraging for food when L83 approached Mike 1, the emaciated calf hanging over her pedestal,” the release said. “As she carried the calf down the side of the boat, Mark’s heart sank – he was sure the calf had stopped breathing. L83 wiggled the calf as if desperately trying to revive it. As she passed the stern of Mike 1, Mark thought he saw the calf take a weak breath and return to her side.”

The baby and mother have not been seen since.

CWR said in an Oct. 4 news release that its census showed a decline in orcas from 75 to 73 from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024. CWR said two adult males, K34 and L85, and the only whale born during the count period, male calf J60, died.

More details: Census shows declining population of southern resident killer whales

K34 lost his mother, K13, in 2017 and “appeared to be in poor physical condition,” according to CWR. Like K34, L85 also lost his mother. However, according to the center, L85 was taken over by L12 and later attached to L25 after L12 died.

CWR said L85 is one of the three oldest males in the population, along with J26 and J27, all born in 1991.

As for the calf J60, CWR described his life as “strange and turbulent.”

“It is unclear whether this was a case of calf rejection, the mother’s inability to properly nurse the calf while other females attempted to help, or an abduction,” the release said.

There was hope for the killer whale population with the birth of L128, but now it appears that number will no longer grow.

According to CWR, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported a 2.3% growth rate for the southern resident killer whale population over a 28-year period. But the center said that over the past decade, every census showing population growth has been followed by a decline.

“The Center for Whale Research data clearly shows that survival rates are closely linked to the abundance of Chinook salmon and that there can be no effective recovery of the SRKW population without an increase in this important resource,” the release said. “Without sufficient prey wealth, southern residents simply will not be able to sustain population growth.”

The SeaDoc Society website has recommendations for salmon conservation, such as: Such as choosing safer cleaning products, throwing away dog ​​poop, washing your car at a car wash instead of in the driveway, using public transportation, and more.

Contributors: KIRO Newsradio staff

Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read their stories here. Follow Julia on X Here and send her an email here.