Orca calf spotted in resident pod

Times Colonist
March 6, 2009

The tiny dorsal fin of a new calf has been spotted in a pod of the southern
resident orcas, boosting spirits of those rooting for the endangered marine
mammals.

"We saw it on March 3 right at sunset in Haro Strait heading north," said
Ken Balcomb of the Centre for Whale Research yesterday.

Someone took a fuzzy picture of the calf last week, but it took a second
sighting to be sure, said Balcomb.

The calf is the newest member of J pod, one of three pods of orcas that
reside in this area. All are endangered, but J pod is doing better than the
rest, said Balcomb.

There are 26 whales in J pod, including one other calf born this year. A
calf was also born in L pod over the winter.

"We try to get out whenever we get a report ... and see who's there and if
anybody's missing and if any new babies are there," Balcomb said.

About 40 per cent of orca calves don't survive to adulthood, so the good
news is that all three calves look healthy, plump and energetic, he said.

The population of southern resident orcas is now 86. Marine pollution, low
salmon stocks and human activity at sea are among the threats facing the
animals.

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