The Centre for Whale Research recently announced a heartwarming discovery – a new calf has been spotted in a pod of endangered killer whales off the southern coast of British Columbia. Biologist Mark Malleson, part of the Washington-based centre, had the incredible opportunity to witness this special moment as the orcas swam past Victoria Harbour on a sunny Sunday.
The newborn calf was seen swimming alongside a whale known as J40, and it is believed to be her first calf. This latest addition marks the fourth calf born among the southern resident killer whales in the past year, bringing a glimmer of hope to this endangered community. The Centre for Whale Research described the birth as “a sign of hope” for the whales’ survival and recovery.
While initial observations show no immediate concerns for the calf, the first year of life is often challenging for young whales. The team at the centre will continue to monitor and conduct follow-up observations of the calf’s behavior and physical condition in the coming days and months.
This joyful news comes shortly after researchers confirmed the birth of another calf in February, following the heartbreaking loss of a calf. In a poignant display of grief, a whale known as J35, or Tahlequah, had been carrying her dead calf for an extended period before finally letting go. Tahlequah’s behavior, which garnered global attention in 2018 when she carried her calf for 17 days, serves as a powerful reminder of the emotional depth of these majestic creatures.
The southern resident killer whales are classified as endangered under Canadian and U.S. species-at-risk laws. Each new calf is considered vitally important for the whales’ survival and recovery. Conservation groups have expressed concerns about the whales facing imminent threats to their survival, including inadequate prey, underwater noise, and vessel strikes.
See also Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tough Bronx persona is under fresh scrutiny with a resurfaced childhood nickname from her suburban upstate New York upbringing casting doubt on that publicly portrayed image. The progressive champion’s latest spat with President Donald Trump over the Iran strikes again called into question her true upbringing when she declared on X she was a “Bronx girl" to make her a point against the president. The 35-year-old congresswoman wrote in part on X: "I’m a Bronx girl. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully," she said, referring to the president’s upbringing in Queens as she called for his impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx but moved to Yorktown – which is nearly an hour outside New York City -- when she was 5 years old and went on to attend Yorktown High School where she graduated in 2007. She was considered an accomplished student there and well thought of by teacher Michael Blueglass, according to a 2018 report by local media outlet Halston Media News. “There, known by students and staff as ‘Sandy,’ she was a member of the Science Research Program taught by Michael Blueglass," the report states. “She was amazing," Blueglass said, per the report. “Aside from her winning one of the top spots and going to the [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair], she was just one of the most amazing presenters in all of the years I've been at Yorktown. Her ability to take complex information and explain it to all different levels of people was fantastic." After high school, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she majored in economics and international relations, per the report. Ocasio-Cortez’s “Sandy" nickname — which carries a more suburban and preppy tone — appears to undercut her politically crafted image as a tough, inner-city fighter, one she has portrayed since her famous 2018 congressional campaign where she eventually ousted former 10-terms Congressman Joe Crowley. New York GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who now represents Yorktown, added to the scrutiny of Ocasio-Cortez’s persona in the wake of her brash with Trump and released images of Ocasio-Cortez from his high school yearbook. He claimed he and the rising Democratic star attended Yorktown High School at the same time when she was a freshman and he was a senior. "I saw the attacks on the president and her [Ocasio-Cortez] claims that she's a big, tough Bronx girl," said Slater. "To sit there and say that she’s a Bronx girl is just patently ridiculous." "Everybody in our community knows this is just a bold-face lie," said Slater on "Fox & Friends First" last week. "She grew up in Yorktown, she was on my track team." "She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing," Slater claimed. Slater’s post sent social media ablaze and prompted Ocasio-Cortez to respond after an image if her family’s home was posted online. “I’m proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Friday responding to the post. “My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep." “Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & it’s a big reason I believe the things I do today!"
Despite calls for an emergency order to protect the whales, the Canadian government has opted for incremental measures to safeguard the salmon-eating whales. The decision to manage human activities using existing legislative tools has sparked criticism from conservation groups, who argue that more robust measures are needed to ensure the whales’ long-term survival.
As we celebrate the arrival of the new calf and hold onto hope for the future of the southern resident killer whales, it is essential to continue efforts to protect and preserve these magnificent creatures for generations to come. Let us cherish these moments of joy and strive to create a sustainable future where these incredible marine animals can thrive.
