Southern Resident Orcas Add Calf as Population Holds at 74

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Endangered Southern Resident killer whales' welcome new calf J63, the fourth born in the past year, spotted swimming with first-time mother J40 near Victoria Harbour.

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Researchers from the Center for Whale Research remain "cautiously optimistic" about the calf's survival, noting first-year challenges especially for offspring of new mothers.

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The Southern Resident population currently stands at just 74 individuals across three pods, down from a peak of 98 in 1995.

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The birth news arrives less than two months after another newborn was spotted, which followed the death of a calf carried by J35, known for her 17-day mourning behavior in 2018.

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Southern Residents face three major threats: dwindling Chinook salmon stocks, vessel noise disrupting their hunting and communication, and toxic pollutants accumulating in their blubber.

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The Canadian government recently chose not to issue an emergency protection order despite acknowledging "imminent threats" to the orcas' survival.

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Conservation groups criticize existing protection measures as "proven inadequate" to address the complex challenges facing these marine mammals.

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These orcas live in tight-knit matrilineal family groups where offspring stay with their mothers for life, making each birth crucial for population recovery.

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Researchers will continue monitoring J63 closely, hoping this new addition helps reverse the declining trend of this iconic endangered population.

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