Orca mourns second calf since 2018 in a devastating report that J35 was seen floating her dead calf on January 1st, 2025.

In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the tragic story of J35, a Southern Resident Orca, who lost her second calf, J61, shortly after its birth. The episode highlights several critical factors contributing to the high mortality rate of orca calves in this endangered population, which currently numbers only 73 individuals.

Reasons for Calf Mortality:

1. Food Scarcity:

2. The primary prey of the Southern Resident Orcas, Chinook salmon, is in decline. The orcas rely exclusively on this species for sustenance, and with only a 20% survival rate for calves, the lack of adequate food supply is a significant concern. The orcas need a sufficient quantity of Chinook salmon to support their growth and health, especially during the early stages of life.

3. Chemical Contamination:

4. Orcas are among the most contaminated marine mammals due to bioaccumulation of toxins such as PCBs and DDT. These chemicals can impair reproductive and immune functions, potentially affecting the health of calves from birth. The presence of these toxins in the environment may contribute to the inability of calves to survive past their first year.

5. Environmental Disturbances:

6. Factors such as vessel noise and pollution disrupt the orcas' habitat, further complicating their survival. Increased shipping traffic and climate change exacerbate these issues, leading to a more challenging environment for the orcas.

7. Reproductive Challenges:

8. The Southern Resident Orcas are a long-lived species that take time to reach sexual maturity. With a low calf survival rate, the population struggles to maintain its numbers, especially as older individuals begin to pass away.

The episode emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and pollution control, to improve the chances of survival for orca calves and the overall health of the Southern Resident Orca population.

Center For Whale Research: https://www.whaleresearch.com/