The Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) community has welcomed a new member, offering a rare moment of hope for the struggling population. Researchers with the Center for Whale Research have confirmed that J62, a calf first sighted on January 1, is female. During a sighting on February 8 near San Juan Island, the young orca was observed swimming with the J19 family group, appearing active and healthy. Scientists noted she was “filling out nicely” and engaged in social behaviours, rolling playfully among her podmates.
A New Hope
J62’s arrival is especially significant given the Southern Residents’ ongoing reproductive struggles. The population, now at just 73 individuals, has experienced devastating calf losses in recent years. In late December 2024, another calf, J61, was born but died within days. Its mother, J35—known as Tahlequah—was seen carrying her dead calf for weeks before finally letting go sometime before the February sighting.
The heartbreaking scene was reminiscent of 2018 when Tahlequah carried a deceased newborn for 17 days across more than 1,000 miles in what was widely understood as an extended act of mourning. In 2023, J37, known as Hy’Shqa, lost a calf, and in 2022, K20, Spock, suffered a similar fate. These losses are not isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern of pregnancy failures among the Southern Residents.
Southern Resident Killer Whale Pregnancy Failures
This pattern is well-documented, with research showing that up to 69% of known pregnancies in this population fail. While a shortage of Chinook salmon is often cited as the main cause, food scarcity alone does not explain the crisis, although it is an important factor. Toxins such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other pollutants accumulate in orca blubber over decades. When a pregnant or nursing female metabolizes her fat stores to sustain her calf, these toxins are transferred, damaging the calf’s immune system and increasing the likelihood of pregnancy failure or early death. Stress from vessel noise and disturbance further compounds the issue, interfering with the whales’ ability to hunt and communicate. In fact, a recent study found that for every one-decibel increase in noise, the chances of a hunting foray failing increases by 12.5%.
“I am very excited that there is a female orca calf. J needs that really bad.”
Joe Olson, President of the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Cetacean Society
Even in years when Chinook salmon numbers improve, high pregnancy failure rates persist, suggesting that the quality of available prey is also a critical factor. Studies have found that not all Chinook salmon are equally nutritious; those with higher fat content provide more energy, which is essential for the whales’ health and reproductive success. Declines in the abundance of these high-fat Chinook populations may deprive the Southern Residents of critical energy sources, contributing to reproductive failures.
The Importance of Female Orcas
Joe Olson, President of the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Cetacean Society, celebrated the arrival of J62 but acknowledged the uphill battle the population faces.
“I am very excited that there is a female orca calf. J needs that really bad,” he said.
This is because female orcas are essential to the survival of the population, not just as future mothers but as leaders within their pods. However, the Southern Residents now have fewer reproductive-age females than necessary for long-term recovery. Many adult females are past their prime reproductive years, and with so few new females surviving to maturity, the population struggles to sustain itself.
Long-lived females, particularly post-reproductive individuals, are known to enhance the survival of their kin. Research has shown that grandmothers significantly increase the survival rates of their grandchildren, particularly in times of food scarcity. This is because experienced matriarchs know where to find salmon during difficult seasons and teach younger whales vital foraging strategies. Without strong female leadership, younger whales—especially males—struggle to survive.
“Optimum population should be at least 150; around 200 would be a robust population, so they are at a very low level, and they are kind of plateauing.”
Howard Garrett, co-founder of Orca Network
In SRKW society, males remain with their mothers for life, relying on them for social stability and survival. Studies have found that males whose mothers die are at a much higher risk of dying prematurely, emphasizing how dependent the entire population is on the presence and guidance of older females.
The Future of Southern Resident Killer Whales
Howard Garrett, co-founder of Orca Network, emphasized that the Southern Residents are at a critical tipping point.
“Optimum population should be at least 150; around 200 would be a robust population, so they are at a very low level, and they are kind of plateauing,” he explained.
The reality remains that multiple generations of Southern Resident orcas have struggled with pregnancy loss, illness, and early deaths. Experts warn that without addressing the human-driven ecological and environmental pressures affecting the whales—such as pollution, habitat destruction, vessel noise, and disruptions to salmon populations—individual successes like J62’s birth may not be enough to reverse the overall decline.
Despite these challenges, the sighting of a healthy, playful J62 is a rare bright spot for those working to protect the Southern Residents. As scientists and advocates push for stronger protections, the hope remains that this young calf will one day contribute to the long-term recovery of her pod—if she can survive the obstacles ahead.
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