Environmentalists celebrate the birth of a new calf among the endangered Southern Resident Killer Worch population.
The baby, born of J-Pod, was spotted for the first time by a field biologist with the Center for Whale Research near Victoria Harbor on Sunday.
The youngster was seen by swimming with Orca J40, and that would be his first known calf, according to the group.
It is also the fourth resident calf of the south born in the last 12 months, which the group called “a sign of hope for this endangered community”.
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“Based on the first observations of the new calf, now designated J63, there is no immediate concern,” wrote the center on Facebook.
“However, the first year of life is often a difficult period for young whales, especially those born of mothers for the first time.”
The group said it was “prudently optimistic” as to the chances of survival of the calf, adding that it would closely monitor its progress.
In July 2024, the adult population of southern residents fell to only 73.
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