Researchers get in-person look at baby southern resident orca born in K pod this spring

VANCOUVER ISLAND — Researchers with the Center for Whale Research met the newest member of the southern resident orca K pod.

CWR had previously received photos and video of a possible new calf in the K pod in April and June, but had not seen the baby, K45, firsthand.

That changed on Saturday when CWR was notified that southern resident orcas were inbound from the west side of Vancouver Island. In the group were members of the K pod that had not been seen since last November.

CWR field biologist Mark Malleson and his colleagues spotted the group northeast of Race Rocks in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and confirmed that K20 was traveling with a new calf.

They took images of K20 with her new baby traveling in a group with other family members.

The sex of the K pod’s new calf is not yet known, but its size and shape indicate the baby is in good condition.

CWR said K45 is the first calf born in the K pod since 2011, when K27 gave birth to a male, K44.

©2022 Cox Media Group