Endangered killer whale calf born to J pod is a girl, experts say

VANCOUVER — A newborn endangered killer whale that was recently spotted off B.C.'s Gulf Islands has been identified as a girl.

The Center for Whale Research in Washington state says the baby, part of the J pod of the southern resident orca population, has stayed healthy since it was first spotted near Pender Island on Dec. 30.

Researchers say they are now working with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to gather more information about the mother of the newborn whale being called J-50.

Experts originally identified a whale in her early 40s known as J-16 seen swimming alongside the calf as its mother, but now say she might have actually been looking after the newborn for her daughter — a 16-year-old orca called J-36.

If J-16 is the mother, she will be the oldest southern resident orca to give birth in more than four decades of field studies.

Southern resident killer whales are considered an endangered species, with just 78 in the waters of B.C. and Washington state, including the new arrival.

Photo Courtesy- CTV News