The whale calf dies shortly after its birth off the coast of Canada; Orca mother carries dead descendants for days

SEATTLE –

The first calf born in three years of endangered orcas who spend time in the waters of the Pacific Northwest died Tuesday, the last disturbing sign of a population already at its lower for more than three decades. One day, a dead orc was pushed back to the surface by his mother about half an hour after being spotted alive, said Ken Balcomb, a senior scientist at the San Juan Island Center for Whale Research, who closely follows the whales. The mother was seen supporting the newborn on his forehead and trying to keep him near the surface of the water in the waters off the coast of Victoria, British Columbia, he said. Death represents another reproductive failure for southern resident killer whales that eat salmon and generally occur in Puget Sound waters from spring to fall. [19659] 003] Black and white orcs fought as they were listed as an endangered species in the United States and Canada more than ten years ago. They do not consume enough fat Chinook salmon that make up their main diet. They also face cross-threats from toxic pollution and noise and disturbance caused by boats.

Female orcas had pregnancy problems because of nutritional stress related to lack of salmon. A multi-year study conducted last year by the University of Washington and other researchers found that two-thirds of killer whale pregnancies had failed between 2007 and 2014.

About half of the 11 calves born at a famous baby boom several years ago

"On average, we are expecting some calves born each year, the fact that we have not seen them for several years and then lambs. Reproductive failure is further evidence that we have a serious problem of reproductive viability in the population, "said Brad Hanson, wildlife biologist at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle

. 39, a 4-year-old killer whale known as J-50 is worrisome, and "clearly emaciated" when he and others observed from a boat on Saturday near the island of San Juan by collecting the breath samples of the ball eine.

Breath droplets will be analyzed for possible pathogens. It may be that the animal is starving, or that other pathological processes are preventing them from eating, said Hanson.

Another researcher, Deborah Giles, who was studying whales, had alerted Hanson about a nauseating odor. the breath of orca, an odor detected on other orcas who died later. But the whale did not smell as bad Saturday

"You could see the shape of his skull through his fat," said Giles, a biologist at the UW Center for Conservation Biology. "I've never seen such an emaciated animal, but I hope it's going to rebound."

Several groups said Wednesday that the loss of calf underscores the need for swift action.

Washington Gov Jay Inslee signed an executive order in March, ordering state agencies to take immediate action to help orcs. A state-wide task force that he has formed has been meeting since May to make recommendations. A report is due later this year.

Since then, an adult male orca has disappeared in June and is presumed dead. There are more than 75, compared to 98 in 1995.

"The death of the orc calf is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgency of saving these emblematic animals," the spokesman said. Governor, Jaime Smith, in an email.

The task force is studying various efforts, including increasing hatchery salmon production, training private vessels to respond to oil spills, and prioritizing areas with significant habitat. can be restored

. more aggressive measures are needed. They requested the removal of four dams in the Lower Snake River to restore salmon runs. "We need to address the issue of salmon restoration, especially wild salmon," said Balcomb

. Orcs are different from other killer whales because they eat salmon rather than marine mammals. Individual whales are also identified by unique marks or variations in their fin shapes, and each whale receives a number and a name. Their movements are closely followed and photographed by researchers, whale watchers and fans.