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Another resident southern orca is ailing, 3 whales pregnant

By Elizabeth Kayser

Aerial images of K25, taken in Sept. 2016 and Sept. 2018. Image in 2016 by NOAA/SWFSC and Vancouver Aquarium’s Coastal Ocean Research Institute and in 2018 by NOAA/SWFSC and SR3, both obtained under NMFS research permit #19091. Courtesy of NOAA

By Elizabeth Kayser

SEATTLE — NOAA Fisheries is asking boaters to give extra space to vulnerable whales recently identified by scientists.

NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center and SR3: SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation and Research have documented the declining condition of K25 as well as three pregnancies in local pods.

“The aerial photos also indicate that at least one whale in each pod is pregnant. This is vital news for this critically endangered population,” says Scott Rumsey, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Deputy Regional Administrator. “We ask that vessels minimize disturbance of these pregnant whales, in addition to K25, to maximize the chances of successful pregnancies.”

K25 is a 27-year-old male in the K pod. Photos taken by scientists show his weight loss from 2016 to now. NOAA scientists say the weight loss might be the result of his mother, K13, dying last year. According to the NOAA West Coast Fisheries website, male orcas rely on their mothers for food foraging, even as adults, due to males having more mass and energy needs. In fact, NOAA says long-term demographic monitoring has shown that adult males' mortality risks are increased when their mothers die.

NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region, Pacific Whale Watch Association and The Whale Museum’s Soundwatch Boater Education Program believe respecting the space around the whales will help them forage undisturbed and protect their prospects for recovery.

K25's sister, K27, was also photographed in the recent weeks, and scientists have concluded by those photos she is pregnant. She is one of three southern resident killer whales that was found to be pregnant; one female in each the the J, K and L pods is pregnant. K27 has been pregnant before but lost the baby before birth. The pregnancy success rate in these endangered animals has been low, and some scientists believe it is due to nutritional impacts.

This week, Gov. Jay Inslee's Southern Resident Orca Task Force received a draft report of potential recommendations for actions to recover southern resident orcas. The work has advised the task force to focus on three topics: lack of prey, toxic contamination and disturbance from noise and vessel traffic.

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