Another baby born to Puget Sound orcas: New L Pod arrival!

Announced this morning – the third calf born to Puget Sound’s resident orcas in the past two months! First came the two babies born to J Pod – we learned about J50 in late December, and then two weeks ago J51 was spotted; and today, NOAA Fisheries announces a baby seen with L Pod as its scientists tracked the whales off the seacoast. “The calf looked very energetic,” NOAA’s Brad Hanson reported.

While whale experts warn that mortality rates are high even in the best of times, this is nonetheless yet another sign of hope for the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. As noted when we covered one of The Whale Trail‘s orca talks here in West Seattle last fall, the resident pods previously hadn’t seen a birth in two years, and that calf did not survive.

8 Replies to "Another baby born to Puget Sound orcas: New L Pod arrival!"

  • anonyme February 26, 2015 (1:32 pm)

    This is really encouraging and heartwarming news!

  • annika February 26, 2015 (3:35 pm)

    Woo-hoo! Wonderful news! Fingers crossed for their health and survival.

  • Benay February 26, 2015 (6:28 pm)

    praying

  • heather February 26, 2015 (6:37 pm)

    Oh yay!!!

  • Cheryl February 26, 2015 (7:57 pm)

    Hooray!!

  • ttt February 26, 2015 (8:45 pm)

    Yeah!!

  • AHorcalovers February 27, 2015 (1:20 pm)

    One more beautiful and encouraging reason for a clean and vibrant Puget Sound! Thank you for the great photo of our “energetic” new calf!

  • Terry February 27, 2015 (10:41 pm)

    I’m proud of how fiercely protective NW Residents are of our natural wonders. Protect the Sound and these gorgeous sea faring mammals … live births at sea, nurse their young, live nearly as long as humans do…what’s not to relate to! One of Puget Sound’s Orca Pod’s Uncles has lived in captivity in Florida for over 35 years. We’re still trying to bring him home to Puget Sound. Wouldn’t tht be a great reunion? I think this calf should get to know her Great Uncle or Grandfather.

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