“Grief Procession” of Southern Resident Orca Mother Ends…With Near-End of the Species?
From Victoria News:
“A mother killer whale’s ‘grief procession’ for her dead newborn calf has come to an end.
Observed swimming with other members of J pod on Feb. 8 in the Haro Strait, the southern resident orca mom known as Tahlequah or J35, was seen without her deceased calf J61.
The news was confirmed by Monika Wieland Shields, director of Washington-based research group Orca Behaviour Institute, who observed the pod of whales for around two hours from the shores of San Juan Island. “
Grieving B.C. southern resident orca mom no longer carrying dead calf’s body
From the Center for Whale Research:
“As of January 1, 2025, there were 73 Southern Resident orcas, according to the Orca Network.
This is based on a census conducted in July 2024 by the Center for Whale Research.
This is a visual of the entire remaining population of our Southern Resident Killer Whales (aka Orcas) Species as of January 1, 2025
As their population dwindles this article from the Hope Standard makes sense.
Researchers: Inbreeding a big problem for endangered orcas:
“’It’s not often inbreeding itself that will result in a shortened lifespan or kill an individual,’” Parsons [a geneticist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NOAA Fisheries] said.
“’It’s really that inbreeding makes these individuals more vulnerable to disease or environmental factors.
We can support the population by supporting the environment and giving them the best chance possible.’” (emphasis added)
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