Researchers are still trying to determine the mother of the newborn spotted June 14 with members of L-Pod.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a new baby orca swimming in the Salish Sea.<\/p>\n
The calf, spotted June 14 with members of L-Pod, belongs to the critically endangered southern resident killer whale population.<\/p>\n
The Center for Whale Research, based in Friday Harbour, Washington, said researchers are still trying to determine the mother of the newborn, which has a unique eye-patch with two small fingers of black encroaching the white patch. The identification of the mother and sex of the calf will take more observation, it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to welcome a new calf during our 50th year working with this endangered population,\u201d the centre said in a social media post. \u201cEvery calf is a reason for hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the second calf born to L-Pod in four months after L-129 was observed near Race Rocks off Metchosin on Feb. 16.<\/p>\n
The southern resident killer whale population is down to just 74 members in three pods since the most recent population census last July. Three calves born since December would put the number at 77, though chances of survival in the first weeks and months are often slim.<\/p>\n
The census found that L-Pod had the most members with 33, followed by J-Pod with 27 and K-Pod with 14.<\/p>\n
A new calf born to K-Pod was spotted travelling in early December in Puget Sound north of Seattle near Shoreline, Washington. It is believed to be the first calf born to K-Pod in three years.<\/p>\n
A calf was spotted with J-Pod in September, but went missing and was presumed dead weeks later.<\/p>\n
The southern residents, which primarily eat chinook salmon, are facing threats including scarce food, noise, vessel disturbance and contaminants.<\/p>\n
The newest orca arrives after a new federal regulation came into effect that requires vessels to stay 1,000 metres from the southern residents. The previous rule required a 400-metre buffer.<\/p>\n