Baby killer whale born in Washington’s L pod

A Southern Resident killer whale has been born: L128, the first calf to 31-year-old mother L90 to give birth.

The baby is small and the placenta is clearly visible, meaning it’s probably about three days old. The baby was first spotted Sunday, said Michael Weiss, lead researcher at the Center for Whale Research, who confirmed the birth on Monday.

Weiss said the mother and baby appear to be in good health. The baby is nursing and moving normally, and the mother appears physically well. The two were spotted going back and forth on the west side of San Juan Island throughout the day on Monday.

“Any birth is good news,” says Weiss, who helps track southern resident pods J, K and L, a unique grouping of fish-eating killer whales common in the Salish Sea. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the orcas have struggled to recover after years of declines.

The sex of the baby is still unknown, although everyone is hoping for a female. A July 1 count found 73 whales, but that doesn’t include the new baby.

Additionally, a recent sighting of L25 confirmed her status as the oldest Southern Resident killer whale still leading the pod, possibly the oldest killer whale ever known. Supposedly born in 1928, L25 brings a wealth of intergenerational knowledge, having traveled countless miles to find fish for her family. The older female elders lead the pod, especially during times when fish are scarce.

Newborn calves face tough conditions, with about half of newborn calves not surviving within the first year. One challenge is toxins in the mother’s milk, especially for older, first-time mothers like L90. Contaminants are carried to the calf in the fats in the milk.

Southern residents are battling extinction, with Chinook salmon declining across their range, periodically leaving them short on food. Orcas prioritize Chinook salmon, which are the largest and fattiest. They also eat Chum and Coho salmon.

Killer whales form lifelong family bonds and young never leave their mothers. They are highly social and highly intelligent apex predators. They share language, greeting rituals, and care for their young. Elders like L25 share most of the prey they catch.

The J pod is the most common pod seen year-round in the San Juan Islands, British Columbia, and even Seattle’s urban waters. According to the Whale Research Center, the J pod has 25 whales. The K pod has the fewest, with 15. The L pod is the largest of the three, with 33 whales, not including the newest baby.

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