Some sad news from the Center for Whale Research today, along with a dire prediction for southern resident killer whales.
The Center confirms another 'Baby Boom' Southern resident orca -- J52 -- has died, presumably from malnutrition as the Chinook salmon the whales are dependent on were in short supply this summer.
J52 last seen alive near Port Renfrew on September 15th, and photos taken at the time reveal severe "peanut-head" syndrome, a depression on the head associated with impending death. The young whale appeared very lethargic while barely surfacing as his mother and an adult male swam in circles around the baby. Four days later he was not seen with his mother or the rest of the pod.
The Center adds all of the southern resident killer whales observed this summer appeared skinny and small compared to Transient killer whales in the Salish Sea that feed on other prey, like seals, that are abundant.
The death of J52 means 3 of the 6 killer whales born in J-pod during the so-called Baby Boom that began in December 2014 have now died. As well two mothers (J14, J28) and a great-grandmother (J2) have also died. And no whales from any of the southern resident pods have been born alive and survived this year.
As a result the Center for Whale Research predicts extinction of the resident whales unless something is done immediately to enhance Chinook salmon stocks on which the whales depend.