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[CULTURE] · Canada, United States · 28 sources

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Part of situation: Southern resident killer whale population status (4 clusters)

Southern resident orca seen carrying dead calf in B. C. waters

southern resident killer whales endangered species orca calf death marine biology wildlife conservation

A female southern resident killer whale, identified as J31 or Tsuchi, was observed carrying a dead newborn calf on her nose near Sombrio Point in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on October 3. The incident was confirmed by researcher Mark Malleson of the Washington-based Center for Whale Research.

The Center for Whale Research noted that the loss is significant due to Tsuchi’s reproductive history and the broader challenges facing the critically endangered southern resident population. Tsuchi, born in 1995, has previously experienced failed pregnancies and reproductive loss, including a deceased calf in 2016. She has one surviving offspring, J56 (Tofino).

This event echoes previous high-profile cases of orca grief, such as J35 (Tahlequah), who carried a dead calf for 17 days in 2018, and J36 (Alki), who experienced multiple pregnancy losses. Researchers noted that for this small population, the survival of every calf is critical.

Entities

Center for Whale Research · J31 (Tsuchi) · Mark Malleson · Sombrio Point · Southern Resident Killer Whales · Strait of Juan de Fuca · Tsuchi

Sources

Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier [caledoniacourier.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [todayinbc.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Quesnel Cariboo Observer [quesnelobserver.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Haida Gwaii Observer [haidagwaiiobserver.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Barriere North Thompson Star [barrierestarjournal.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Ladysmith Chronicle [ladysmithchronicle.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [burnslakelakesdistrictnews.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Cowichan Valley Citizen [cowichanvalleycitizen.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Nelson Star [nelsonstar.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [northernsentinel.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [crestonvalleyadvance.ca]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [lakecountrycalendar.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [comoxvalleyrecord.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [peacearchnews.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Chilliwack Progress [theprogress.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Nanaimo News Bulletin [nanaimobulletin.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Surrey Now-Leader [surreynowleader.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Abbotsford News [abbynews.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Port Alberni Valley News [albernivalleynews.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [mapleridgenews.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [langleyadvancetimes.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [keremeosreview.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters - Vanderhoof Omineca Express [ominecaexpress.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [clearwatertimes.com]
Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B. C. waters [campbellrivermirror.com]
Southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf off Southern Vancouver Island [saanichnews.com]
Southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf off Southern Vancouver Island [peninsulanewsreview.com]
Southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf off Southern Vancouver Island - Victoria News [vicnews.com]