Story Published:
Jul 7, 2005 at 4:53 AM PDT
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 1:59 AM PDT
FRIDAY HARBOR, WASH. - At least three killer whales have
been born to Puget Sound-area orcas, boosting the resident
population to 90 animals and continuing an apparent comeback,
researchers say.
The calves, two first seen June 7 in L Pod and one spotted
Saturday in J Pod, seem to be healthy and thriving, but the first
year is always the greatest challenge, Stefan Jacobs of the Center
for Whale Research on San Juan Island told the Kitsap Sun.
Jacobs said a characteristic orange coloration and "fetal
folds" in the skin of the youngest, J-41, indicated he was no more
than a few days old as he swam with his mother, J-91, named Shachi.
"J-41 seemed to be fairly active," Jacobs said. "He was
playful and sometimes seemed to be playing on his own."
A previous calf born to Shachi died during its first year.
Last month whale watchers noticed two newborns as L Pod returned
from winter travels along the coast - L-106, the offspring of L-86,
a 14-year-old female named Surprise, and L-107, born to L-47, named
Marina, a 32-year-old female whose previous calf survived only a
month.
The Puget Sound-area resident orca population dropped from 99 in
1995 to 78 in 2000, drawing national attention and pressure on the
federal government to list the three Puget Sound pods - J, K and L
-as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Combined with four earlier births, seven orcas have been born
within the three pods since October, Howard Garrett of Orca Network
said.
"Going back over the records, we've never had more than six
born in any calendar year," Garrett said.
Puget sound-area orcas may be making a comeback, "but it's only
a glimmer of hope," he said. "They need to become reproductive
for them to contribute to the community."