New orca calf sighted
By lgordon | March 5th, 2009 | Category: Blog, Science |By Sound News reporter Lyndsay Gordon
The news in the orca world is looking a little less bleak with the sighting of the third orca calf this year, J45, in Haro Strait. The two other local orca calves are J44 and L112 belonging to the J and L local resident pods respectively.
When a calf is born scientific protocol mandates a delay in official reporting, since the young orcas have a high mortality rate. It is similar for orca deaths: there is a delay before official reporting, than the orca is reported missing for a year, and after that time period has passed the animal is declared dead. The Center for Whale Research announces the condition of born, missing, and deceased orcas.
Eight orcas were reported missing this year and are presumed dead making the calves a welcome and positive sign. However, despite this promising addition the local orcas still have troubled times ahead as their Chinook Salmon food source remains in short supply.
Comments contact Lyndsay Gordon at lynds888msn.com
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