The Center for Whale Research shared bittersweet news on New Year’s Eve: J pod has welcomed a new calf, J62, but also suffered the loss of a female calf, J61.
Reports of a potential new calf traveling with the J19s and J16s were confirmed on December 31 by researchers.
The new calf, J62, appeared physically and behaviorally normal during initial observations.
Its mother has not yet been identified, and the calf’s sex is still unknown.
However, this hopeful discovery was followed by confirmation that J61, a female calf born recently to J35, has not survived.
J61′s death is a significant loss for the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale population, particularly as females play a crucial role in matrilineal leadership and population growth.
J35 has now lost two of her four documented calves, both of whom were female, deepening the impact of this loss.
Researchers from the Center for Whale Research, NOAA, and other organizations will continue observing J pod, including J35 and J62, as conditions and whale movements allow.
©2025 Cox Media Group
