ORCAS: 3 pregnant whales in J-Pod

Less than a week after Southern Resident Killer Whales in J-Pod came far enough south to be seen from West Seattle, there’s word the pod has three pregnancies in progress. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a news release today saying the evidence is in health-monitoring drone photography by SR3. As a result, WDFW has ordered boaters to stay at least half a nautical mile away from the three pregnant orcas and any group with which they’re believed to be traveling. The three are J36 (21 years old), J37 (20 years old), and J19 (42 years old). The SRKWs have a high rate of pregnancy loss, the emergency rule points out. So it’s hoped this order will help increase the odds of successful births.

4om September 14, 2021 (10:49 am)

So hopeful for these orca mammas, and their calves. 💛

Please everyone, keep an eye out for orcas and boat violaters. Also, consider things you can do in your every day life that can help orcas.

Here are a few easy things people can do to help!

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.

Make your vote count, and reach out to leaders on behalf of orcas.

Be an informed consumer.

Use a Seafood Watch card.

Go organic.

Use only biodegradable cleaning supplies.

Reduce the use of any/all chemicals in and around your home.

Shop local.

Get involved in local clean-up efforts… or start one of your own.

Get involved in local salmon habitat restoration or salmon watch volunteering.

Drive less, walk and bike more!

Mj September 14, 2021 (2:32 pm)

Some hanky panky going on at the back of the pod, hopefully with healthy babies as a result!

kerstimuul September 14, 2021 (7:20 pm)

Enforcement has really been on it the last few days the whales have been up and down the west side of SJI. Whales are feasting on Coho on pooping a lot! Which is great. A lot of whales, all except the L12s have been present.J36 is very close to giving birth