WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. — A new orca calf was seen swimming with the Southern Resident killer whales, also known as J Pod, in Saratoga Passage.
The SeaDoc Society and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said that scientists noticed the new calf while collecting breath and fecal samples.
The calf was seen with J-16, an older female orca that is a member of the pod.
Scientists were excited to spot the new calf after another J Pod orca was seen carrying her dead calf on Sept. 12.
The new calf appears to be in good condition.
The Center for Whale Research and SeaDoc Society hope to evaluate the calf’s condition soon.