The heartbreaking story of a mother killer whale named Tahlequah, also known as J35, has captured the attention of researchers and animal lovers alike. In 2018, Tahlequah made headlines when she carried the body of her dead newborn calf for 17 days, displaying a remarkable act of grief. Now, tragically, Tahlequah has lost another calf, and she is once again carrying the body in what appears to be another display of mourning.
The Center for Whale Research announced on New Year’s Day that Tahlequah has now lost two out of her four documented calves. The recent female calf was initially seen travelling with the J pod in Puget Sound near Seattle, Washington. However, concerns about the calf’s health were raised, and it was later confirmed that the calf had passed away. Despite this loss, a second apparently healthy newborn was observed with the pod.
Brad Hanson, a research scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, expressed uncertainty about the cause of the calf’s death. Unfortunately, a necropsy may not be possible, as Tahlequah is very attached to the body of her deceased calf and researchers may not be able to recover it.
Researchers are now closely monitoring Tahlequah’s well-being as she continues to carry the calf’s body, which adds additional physical strain and energy expenditure. This could impact her ability to forage for food, especially during a time of year when fish availability is limited. Despite these challenges, Tahlequah remains integrated with her pod and is not lagging behind.
The recent loss of the female calf is particularly devastating for the endangered southern resident killer whale population. Michael Weiss, research director for the Center for Whale Research, noted that while other orcas have been observed carrying dead calves before, Tahlequah’s extended display of grief is unprecedented.
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Joe Gaydos, the science director for marine conservation program SeaDoc Society, believes that Tahlequah is grieving or mourning the loss of her calf. As research has shown that whales share similar neurotransmitters and emotions with humans, it is understandable that Tahlequah is experiencing deep sadness.
The sex and mother of the other recent newborn calf have not yet been identified, but it appears to be physically and behaviorally normal. Southern resident orcas are divided into three families known as the J, K, and L pods, each with its own unique dialect and calls. The population of these orcas has dwindled to 73 individuals, with only 23 breeding females, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these majestic creatures.
