The grieving killer whale mother who lost her calf on New Year’s Eve has been pushing and carrying the dead baby for at least 11 days.
Researchers said J35, also known as Tahlequah, was spotted Jan. 10 in Haro Strait off San Juan Island with the body of her female baby known as J61.
“We were not seeing much of the carcass and the seas were starting to get sloppier, but J35 appeared to be trying to keep it from sinking,” said a social media post by the Friday Harbor, Washington-based Center for Whale Research.
Tahlequah was travelling with her two living sons and several other members of J-Pod, heading west toward the open ocean.
Observers and researchers have been calling J35’s behaviour an act of grief.
It’s the second time the 25-year-old mother has lost a calf and carried it. In 2018, she pushed her dead calf for 17 days before finally letting go.
“If ever there has been an individual animal that has without a doubt demonstrated grief at the loss of an offspring, it’s Tahlequah,” Dr. Deborah Giles, a science and research director with whale conservation non-profit Wild Orca, told The Seattle Times. “And here she is doing it again.”
Scientists worry the act of mourning may be sapping the mother’s strength and inhibiting her ability to forage for food.
J35 is one of only 73 remaining members of the endangered southern resident killer whales in J-, K- and L-pods.
But there is still some good news for J-Pod.
During the same encounter on Jan. 10, the Center for Whale Research reported the latest new calf, J62, appears to be doing well, though its sex is still undetermined.
“J62 appeared healthy as it traveled surrounded by its family,” the post said. “There was some milling and rolling by individuals in this group although we never saw the calf being rolled around.”
Scientists believe that J41, a 19-year-old also known as Eclipse, is the likely mother of the new calf, which was first reported on Dec. 31.
Researchers earlier reported that J41 had appeared to be pregnant in 2024.
