The latest census of the critically endangered orcas found 76 as of July 1, up from 74 during the same period a year ago.<\/p>\n
The latest count of southern resident killer whales shows the population remains low, despite a second year of slight growth.<\/p>\n
The census of the critically endangered orcas found 76 as of July 1, up from 74 during the same period a year ago, and from 73 in 2024, according to the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbour, Washington.<\/p>\n
The centre\u2019s researchers track the orcas in J, K and L pods using photographs taken from boats and drones for its annual census in the Salish Sea.<\/p>\n
Although four calves were born during the census period, only two survived.<\/p>\n
A female, K47, and L130, whose sex is not yet determined, appear to be in \u201cnormal health,\u201d researchers said this week.<\/p>\n
Two other calves, J64 and L129, were born during the survey period, but did not survive to the July 1 census date. The calf known as J64 survived for less than a month, while L129 was only photographed during a single encounter and was declared dead.<\/p>\n
No other southern residents died during the July-to-July census period.<\/p>\n
K pod now stands at 15 orcas, while L pod gained one, for a total of 34 surviving animals, and J pod was unchanged at 27.<\/p>\n
The Center for Whale Research said although the population increase is encouraging, periods of growth have often been followed by steep declines.<\/p>\n
The centre says its data show that the southern resident population is still not reproducing at the rates necessary to recover the population.<\/p>\n
It said the low birth rate and calf survivals are likely tied to the impact of pollutants often passed from mother to offspring and a lack of Chinook salmon prey.<\/p>\n
Michael Weiss, the centre\u2019s research director, said that for the southern resident population to grow more consistently, the threats they face have to be addressed.<\/p>\n
He cited human-caused noise disturbance from boats and ships, which interferes with the orcas\u2019 ability to find fish using echo-location, and \u201cmost critically\u201d a lack of large, fatty Chinook salmon, their primary prey.<\/p>\n
Unlike the more populous transient, or Bigg\u2019s killer whales, which eat seals and sea lions, southern residents only hunt for salmon.<\/p>\n
\u201cSaving these whales means restoring Chinook salmon habitat, improving fisheries management and addressing the sources of noise and toxicants in their environment,\u201d said Weiss.<\/p>\n
The census was released a week after the southern residents suffered the loss of another calf, this time in J pod.<\/p>\n
Researcher Mark Malleson saw J31, also known as Tsuchi, swimming with the dead calf and immediate family members in J pod.<\/p>\n
The Center for Whale Research said it was unclear whether the newborn was a male or female, if it had been carried to full term and died after birth, or if it was a stillbirth.<\/p>\n
It was the fifth time in the past decade that a female member of the southern resident killer whales has been found pushing and carrying a dead calf in the Salish Sea, in what observers view as an act of grief.<\/p>\n