NOAA Reduces Effort to Find Young Orca J50



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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is reducing its search for Southern residents by 50 days after the Whale Research Center (WRC) alleged the death of the young whale.

Michael Milstein, NOAA Public Affairs Officer, said Friday that the teams had searched all the areas they could at this stage. Unless you learn more information or have a reason to look in a new region, Mr. Milstein says they are withdrawing.

"Our colleagues from NOAA, SeaDoc and others observed last Friday, September 7. The Whale Research Center had a ship on the water looking for J50 in the last three days. other members of his family during these outings, "said CWR in a statement Thursday.

The 3-year-old resident southern killer whale was last seen emaciated, despite try to save her.

The West Coast marine mammal stranding network will remain on alert for D50, The west coast region of NOAA said in a tweet. The US Coast Guard is also monitoring the missing killer whale and issuing a notice to mariners.

WATCH: 74 Southern Resident Orcs are a misleading count

Although J50 is sometimes lagging behind his pod, NOAA reports recent sightings from his family, but no sign of J50 for "several days". NOAA says the helpline to report strandings is 1-866-767-6114.

Southern resident killer whales face a number of challenges including lack of prey, pollution and noise from boats. The population of southern residents increased from 98 in 1995 to 75 in mid-June. The survival of J50 is critical, with the number of orcas able to reproduce in decline.

J50 was diagnosed with "peanut head", which is a serious fat loss behind the head. No one could identify his exact disease, but the majority of whales with this disease do not survive.

The death of J50 would be the second known death in the local population of Southern Resident Orcs in just a few months, bringing the total number to just 74 years. Earlier in the summer, a 20-year-old whale known as J35 weeks. It was about the same time that the attention was turned to J50.

WATCH | Superpod of Puget Sound Orcs amazes spectators

© 2018 KING

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