Orca Calf Born Last Fall Is Presumed Dead

Thursday, April 3, 2008
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - J43, born last fall to J14, appeared to be missing from J pod when experts from the Center for Whale Research encountered the animals this week. That almost certainly means the calf has died.

Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit were launching the Center's new minimum impact research vessel, "T-Bo" (which is an acronym for tin boat) at Roche Harbor, when Brian Goodremont (San Juan Outfitters) told them that J pod was off the west side of San Juan Island. Was it April Fools or for real?

After launching, Ken and Dave responded and confirmed all members of J pod present, except the new calf, J43, born to J14 last autumn and is presumed dead.

Source: The Kitsap Sun