In 2018 Tahlequah, an orca belonging to the Southern Resident population, moved the whole world carrying her stillborn puppy for 17 days and over 1,600 km. This gesture, which reflected his pain, became a symbol of the urgent need to protect these magnificent creatures.
Tahlequah today gave birth to another puppydesignated J61 by researchers at the Center for Whale Research. Scientists had the opportunity to observe the newborn, but expressed concern for its survival and for the health of the mother.
In fact, the first months of life represent a critical period for young orcaswith a high mortality rate. However Tahlequah is an experienced mother: in addition to J61, she has had two more puppies survivors, J47 (Notch), born in 2010, and J57 (Phoenix), born in 2020.
A population in critical danger of extinction
Tahlequah and her family are part of the J-pod, one of three groups of Southern Resident orcas that inhabit the waters between Washington state and Vancouver IslandCanada. Unfortunately this population is in critical danger of extinction, with only 73 individuals left. Threats such as pollution, food shortages, fishing nets and human disturbance continue to put their survival at risk.
A particularly serious problem concerns i chemical contaminantswhich accumulate in the food chain and are stored in the blubber of killer whales. These pollutants can be transmitted to puppies through their mother’s milk, compromising their health during the already critical first year of life.
In 2022 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) highlighted alarming levels of contaminants in female orcas and their calves, raising further concerns about the future of this population.
Despite the challenges, Tahlequah’s birth represents a rare and precious good news. Researchers at the Center for Whale Research are eager to monitor calf J61 and her mother, hoping that Tahlequah can use her expertise to ensure the calf’s survival.
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