Puget Sound orcas welcome first new baby in two years

(L-pod orcas – file photo, shared here in 2009 by Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales)
Just a week ago, the Kitsap Sun reported that Puget Sound’s orcas, the Southern Resident Killer Whales, were down to their lowest population level in almost 30 years, after two deaths this year, and no new births in two years. Tonight, some good news: The Center for Whale Research, which had reported the population down to 78, says it’s up to 79, with a new baby spotted in L Pod, same pod that had the last SRKW birth in 2012. In a Facebook post, CWR says the baby, to be known as L120, was with L86. You can see a photo on Orca Network‘s FB page.

8 Replies to "Puget Sound orcas welcome first new baby in two years"

  • Trileigh September 6, 2014 (8:54 pm)

    This is *wonderful* news! It has been so concerning to see our resident population dropping. I sure hope many more orca babies show up in our waters in coming years. Welcome, L-120!

  • nony L September 6, 2014 (9:29 pm)

    Beautiful news!

  • Wsrez September 6, 2014 (10:10 pm)

    Writing from my boat, I would give anything to see this wonderful creation cruise by. Welcome L-120, what a wonderful sweet surprise you are!

  • heather September 7, 2014 (10:09 am)

    Oh, Yay!!!!

  • Donna, The Whale Trail September 7, 2014 (10:34 am)

    While this is indeed great news, orca calves have only a 50/50 chance at survival. We can’t relax our efforts to recover this population. That means – bring back chinook salmon, stop putting toxins into Puget Sound, and watch whales from shore. See you on The Whale Trail!

  • Howard September 7, 2014 (10:56 am)

    This is great news, but for this newborn orca and her entire family to thrive we’ll need to find every possible way to restore abundant Chinook runs throughout Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.
    The last baby was J49, male, born to J37, in August, 2012. Three months earlier L119, male, was born to L77, in May, 2012.

  • Real Estate Gals September 7, 2014 (8:43 pm)

    Such wonderful news.

  • sgs September 8, 2014 (4:49 pm)

    Oh there was such a good story on NPR, I believe, explaining the difference between resident and transient whales, what they thrive on, etc. So interesting and yes, the salmon where the key for the resident whales. Good news about the new baby.

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