J Pod Welcomes New Southern Resident Orca Calf

SEATTLE — The Southern Resident Killer Whales have a new member courtesy of the J Pod, which this week welcomed a new baby orca calf into the world.

The Center for Whale Research confirmed the birth Wednesday, saying it had recently received word that the J Pod had been spotted traveling with a new calf not far from the San Juan Islands. The center dispatched a photo-ID expert, Dave Ellifrit, who on Tuesday found the whales traveling near Kelp Reef— and confirmed the birth of a new whale.

The calf, now named "J59", was spotted swimming astride their mother J37, with J47 and J40 not far away.

J37 was last spotted on Feb. 11, and did not have a calf with her at the time. Because J59 looks a little "lumpy", the Center for Whale Research says they believe it was born in just the last few days. J59's sex is still unknown, but the center says its size and shape are fairly typical for a newborn Southern Resident orca, meaning the calf is probably in good physical condition.

J59 is the first calf born into J Pod since September 2020, and 25th member of the J Pod. Their birth brings the Southern Resident Orca population to 74 whales. The J pod remains the second-largest of the three Southern Resident pods. They are normally spotted near the San Juan and Southern Gulf Islands, lower Puget Sound near Seattle, and the Georgia Straight.

Researchers will continue to keep a close eye on J59, as they hope for the calf's continued success: data suggests that between 37 and 50 percent of calves do not survive through their first year.

Related: Keep Clear Of Pregnant Orcas, Warn Experts