New Baby Whale Found Off San Juan Island

Thursday, August 14, 2008
SAN JUAN ISLAND, WASHINGTON - The Center for Whale Research says they discovered a new calf in L pod off the west side of San Juan Island on Tuesday. The calf, designated L111, is the 6th calf of L47. L111 joins sisters L83 and L91 and nephew L110 as the newest member of the L21 subgroup.

L47, at age 34, is not only a new mother but also a grandmother. Her last calf, L107, was born in the summer of 2005 but did not survive more than a few months.

Center for Whale Research staff believe the calf to have been be only a few hours old.

L47 was seen by Center staff without a calf in the evening of Aug. 11.

The Center says the total number of whales in L pod has not been determined this year, but they believe there may be at least two L pod whales missing this year. As of December 2007, there were 43 whales in L pod.

Source: King 5 News