After months of searching, researchers have yet to spot an orphaned B.C. orca calf that was last seen in May, despite multiple sightings of its family.
The calf, known as J57, was first spotted in January 2021 and was seen swimming alongside its mother, J35, and other members of their pod. However, in May, researchers noticed that J57 was no longer with its family and have not been able to locate it since.
According to the Center for Whale Research, J57’s family has been spotted multiple times since May, including just last week. However, the calf was not seen with them, leading researchers to believe that it may have died.
The loss of J57 would be a devastating blow to the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population, which currently stands at just 74 individuals. The calf’s mother, J35, gained international attention in 2018 when she carried her deceased calf for 17 days, highlighting the struggles faced by this struggling population.
Researchers are continuing to monitor the situation and are hopeful that J57 may still be alive and simply separated from its family. However, they acknowledge that the longer the calf remains unseen, the less likely it is to have survived.
The cause of J57’s separation from its family is still unknown, but researchers believe it could be due to a number of factors, including illness, injury, or becoming lost. They are also concerned that the calf may have been unable to keep up with its family and was left behind.
The loss of J57 would not only be a tragedy for its family, but also for the entire Southern Resident killer whale population. These orcas are facing numerous threats, including lack of food, pollution, and noise disturbance from boats.
Efforts are being made to protect and restore the Southern Resident killer whale population, including increased monitoring and research, as well as measures to reduce noise and pollution in their habitat. However, the loss of J57 serves as a reminder of the urgent need for action to save these iconic creatures.
As researchers continue to search for J57, they remain hopeful that the calf will be found safe and reunited with its family. However, the reality is that the longer it remains unseen, the less likely it is to have survived. The fate of this orphaned B.C. orca calf serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by these magnificent creatures and the importance of protecting them for future generations.
