Animal lovers and scientists alike acknowledge that animals have feelings akin to loss, joy, anger, sadness, and love. Few stories reveal the sheer emotional depth animals may feel like the saga of the grieving orca of 2018. But now we celebrate as we learn that J35 gave birth to a new calf, designated J57, in early September of 2020.
History of a Grieving Orca
About two years ago, a killer whale named Tahlequah, aka J35, gave birth to a calf who lived less than a day. In an unprecedented show of apparently inconsolable grief, J35 carried her dead calf on her head for 17 days. When the baby whale slid out of place, Tahlequah dove to bring her back to the water’s surface. What is more, her pod showed visible support for Tahlequah through the ordeal.
After more than two weeks and 1,000 miles of swimming around the Salish Sea, J35 finally let her calf go. She eventually made a full recovery, fortunately not suffering any long-lasting physical effects.
J55 Gives Birth to a Healthy Calf
Researchers who follow the J Pod, a designation for Talequah’s group, estimate the new addition arrived on September 4, 2020. The tiny whale seems vigorous and healthy.
Many orca calves from the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale population fail to thrive or are never born because of the nutritional deficits of the adults. Killer whale groups have specialized diet variations. The Southern Resident group almost exclusively feeds on the endangered Chinook salmon. Our communal efforts to improve the environment for salmon and whales maintain the goal of increasing orca numbers through full-term pregnancies and healthy calves.
Source: ShutterstockScientists believe stress and J 35’s malnutrition could have played a role in her calf’s death in 2018. J 57’s early indications of vitality make everyone hopeful for a story with a happy ending. It is too soon to know whether the newborn is a girl or a boy. Also encouraging are the pregnancies of two other members in the group during a time when fertility among the orcas is low.
J35 has been swimming slightly isolated from the rest of the pod and appears understandably cautious about being approached. At this age, her baby remains glued to her side.
South Resident Births Are Miracles
A life off the coast of Seattle and British Columbia is difficult, and calves have about a 60% chance of surviving their first year. J35 has successfully raised one calf, J47, an eight-year-old male.
Tahlequah was pregnant with her new calf for 18 months before giving birth underwater. Providing complete support after birth, J35 would have carried or pushed her newborn to the surface to breathe for the first few times. J57 was likely over eight feet long and weighed more than 260 pounds at birth. He or she will live on Mother’s milk for one or two years.
Source: ShutterstockJ35 and other orcas develop a close bond with their offspring very shortly after birth. A killer whale’s instinct to nurture and protect her calf is powerful.
J35 wrenched our hearts apart two years ago grieving for the death of her newborn female calf in a prolonged and dramatic ritual. Early in September, Tahlequah renewed our hopes for the Southern Resident orcas as she gave birth again. This time, her baby swims beside her.
