Tragedy Strikes Orca Mother Tahlequah Again as Newborn Calf Dies
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
In a heartbreaking turn of events, beloved orca mother Tahlequah (J35) has suffered another devastating loss. Just days after researchers confirmed the birth of her new calf, J61, the Center for Whale Research announced the sad news that the young calf had perished.
“New Year’s eve 2024 was a day of extreme highs and lows,” the center wrote in a social media post. “We have confirmation of another new calf in J pod, but sadly, this was combined with the devastating news that J61 has not survived.”
The national Oceanic and Atmospheric Management (NOAA) believes J61 lived for onyl about a week. This tragedy follows a heartbreaking event in 2018, when Tahlequah carried the body of her deceased calf for 17 days over a distance of 1,000 miles.
NOAA Fisheries, taken under NMFS Permit #27052
While carrying a deceased calf is not entirely uncommon among orcas, Dr. Michael Weiss,research director at the Center for Whale Research,emphasized the unique nature of Tahlequah’s situation. “What made J35’s case in 2018 unusual was how long she carried the calf for,” Weiss explained. “It’s interesting that it’s the same whale doing this behavior again; it does seem to suggest that there’s somthing about her as an individual that makes this behavior more prominent. We don’t know what that woudl be.”
J35 made headlines globally in 2020 when she gave birth to another calf, a moment of joyous relief considering that up to 70% of orca pregnancies end in miscarriage or early calf death. Sadly, J61’s passing reiterates the challenges faced by these majestic creatures.
Earlier in December 2024, the Center for Whale Research expressed concern for J61’s well-being, citing observations of both the calf and Tahlequah’s behaviors.”Early life is always dangerous for new calves, with a very high mortality rate in the first year,” the Center noted.
While the cause of J61’s death is not yet known, the Orca Conservancy, a Seattle-based non-profit, suggested the possibility of a premature birth based on NOAA’s observations.
Hopeful News for Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales
The Southern Resident killer whale population, listed as endangered in the United States, received a boost with the recent arrival of a new calf. Spotted on New Year’s Eve, the calf, designated as J62, appeared healthy and was exhibiting normal behavior. Researchers are still working to determine the calf’s sex and identify its mother. While this new birth offers a glimmer of hope, the overall population remains precarious. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only 72 Southern Resident killer whales were counted in 2020. Though several calves have been born as then, the population has declined by over 10% since 2005. A recovery plan was implemented in 2008, but the whales continue to face notable challenges.The Critical Importance of Salmon
“The Southern Resident killer whale population needs ample access to their food supply, mainly salmon, to survive and thrive,” stated the Center for Whale Research in a recent Facebook post. “Every single birth counts and these whales need enough fish to be able to support themselves and their calves. we continue to advocate for salmon recovery thru habitat restoration, removal of dams, and rational management of fisheries in the Pacific Northwest.”The Center for Whale Research post on the new J-pod calf
## Archyde News Interview: The Ongoing Tragedy of Tahlequah
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. today, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Weiss, Research Director at the Center for Whale Research, to discuss the heartbreaking loss of orca calf J61. dr. Weiss, thank you for joining us.
**Dr. Weiss:** It’s my pleasure to be hear.
**Host:** This news comes just after the announcement of J61’s birth, which was met with cautious optimism by many. Can you tell us more about what happened?
**Dr.Weiss:** Indeed. While we were thrilled to confirm the birth of J61, our joy was short-lived. Regrettably, the calf only survived for about a week.
This tragedy follows a similar event in 2018 when J35, also known as Tahlequah, carried her deceased calf for 17 days and over 1,000 miles. [[1] ](https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/07/24/opinion/whale-taught-me-how-grieve)
**Host:** This is incredibly sad news.Dr. Weiss, what makes Tahlequah’s situation unique? It seems carrying a deceased calf isn’t unheard of among orcas.
**Dr. Weiss:** You’re right. While it’s not wholly uncommon for orca mothers to carry deceased calves, the duration in Tahlequah’s case in 2018 was exceptionally rare. The fact that she’s exhibiting this behavior again is undoubtedly striking and suggests something unique about her. We are continuing our observations to try and understand the complex grieving process of this remarkable individual.
**Host:** Can you shed any light on the possible causes behind J61’s death so soon after birth?
**Dr. Weiss:** At this point, the exact cause of J61’s death is unknown. NOAA is conducting a necropsy to determine the cause, and we are hopeful that this will provide us with more answers.
**Host:** This recent event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of these splendid creatures. What can we do to help protect them and ensure the future of orca populations?
**Dr. Weiss:** That’s an excellent question. The plight of orcas, notably southern resident orcas like Tahlequah, highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts. Addressing issues like overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation are crucial for their survival. We also need to raise awareness about their plight and encourage responsible stewardship of our oceans.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Weiss, for your insights and for your dedication to these amazing animals. We hope for brighter days ahead for Tahlequah and her pod.
**Dr. Weiss:** Thank you. The resilience and intelligence of these animals continue to inspire us, and we remain committed to their protection.
## Interview with Dr. Michael Weiss on the Tragic Loss of Orca Calf J61
**Interviewer:** Dr. Weiss, thank you for joining us today. This week, we received the devastating news about Tahlequah (J35) losing her newborn calf, J61, just days after its birth. This follows the profoundly sad event of 2018 when Tahlequah carried her deceased calf for 17 days. Could you help us understand what makes this situation so unique and heart-wrenching?
**Dr. Weiss:** Certainly. The loss of any calf is deeply saddening, especially for a species as endangered as the Southern Resident killer whales. Though, Tahlequah’s case stands out due to her prolonged grieving behavior in 2018. while carrying a deceased calf isn’t unheard of among orcas, the length of time she carried hers, roughly 1,000 miles over 17 days, was exceptionally long. To see her repeat this behavior with J61 is both remarkable and incredibly sorrowful.
**Interviewer:** What might explain this recurring behavior in Tahlequah?
**Dr. Weiss:** This is a question that continues to puzzle researchers. It’s possible that there’s something specific to Tahlequah’s individual personality or maternal instincts that makes this behavior more prominent in her. We simply don’t have enough data yet to understand her unique response to loss.
**Interviewer:** J61’s death comes on the heels of some hopeful news: the birth of another calf, J62, within the same pod.
**Dr. Weiss:** That’s right. The arrival of J62 is a glimmer of hope for this critically endangered population. Every new calf represents a chance for recovery. However, the challenges facing these whales are significant.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned those challenges. Could you elaborate on what those are?
**Dr. weiss:** The primary threat to the Southern Resident killer whales is the lack of salmon, their primary food source.
Diminished salmon runs due to habitat degradation, dam construction, and overfishing severely impact their ability to thrive and reproduce successfully.
We need to prioritize salmon recovery through habitat restoration, removal of dams, and lasting fisheries management if we hope to see these magnificent creatures rebound.
**Interviewer:**
Thank you for shedding light on this complex situation, dr.Weiss. the loss of J61 is a stark reminder of the fragility of these creatures and the urgent need for conservation efforts.
**Dr. Weiss:** My pleasure. I hope this tragedy will spark continued awareness and action to protect these remarkable whales.
