{"id":478038,"date":"2026-02-19T14:57:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/478038\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:57:10","slug":"new-southern-resident-orca-calf-spotted-in-l-pod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/478038\/","title":{"rendered":"New Southern Resident orca calf spotted in L pod"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a new addition in the Salish Sea.<\/p>\n

The Center for Whale Research spotted a new Southern Resident orca calf traveling with L pod on Feb. 16 in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe calf does appear to be very young, probably a few days old at most,\u201d Dr. Michael Weiss, research director at the Center for Whale Research, told KIRO Newsradio.<\/p>\n

Designated L129, the calf was seen with two females, the 49\u2011year\u2011old L55 and her daughter L103. Researchers said it is too early to know which whale is the mother.<\/p>\n

Half of newborn calves don\u2019t survive first year<\/p>\n

Researchers caution that survival for Southern Resident calves is far from guaranteed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think probably about half of them that are ever born make it through that first year,\u201d Weiss said. \u201cUnfortunately, that means it\u2019s kind of a coin flip whether or not this calf will make it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The latest official count showed 74 Southern Resident Killer Whales, which are listed as endangered<\/a> under the Endangered Species Act.<\/p>\n

The Center for Whale Research said it hopes to encounter L129 again soon and plans to release additional images and a full encounter report in the coming days.<\/p>\n

Read more of Aaron Granillo\u2019s stories here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow @https:\/\/twitter.com\/aaronkirofm<\/a><\/p>\n

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