United States: Tahlequah, the Southern Resident killer whale that made global headlines in 2018 for carrying her dead calf for 17 days, is once again mourning the loss of a newborn. The Centre for Whale Research has confirmed that the whale, also known as J35, was seen off the coast of Seattle, pushing the body of her dead calf.
This marks the second time Tahlequah has lost a calf, both of which were female. Out of her four documented calves, only two have persisted. The death is particularly heartbreaking due to the endangered status of the Southern Resident killer whales and the critical challenges they face.
The species relies heavily on Chinook salmon, a food source that has significantly reduced in recent years due to habitat destruction and overfishing. Poor nutrition and limited access to salmon have been linked to reproductive failures among these whales, according to research from the University of Washington.
Tahlequah’s 2018 display of grief, where she carried her dead calf for over two weeks near Victoria, British Columbia, was unprecedented, with scientists calling it a record for mourning behavior in killer whales.
Both the United States and Canada classify Southern Resident killer whales as threatened, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
The Centre for Whale Research described the loss of any calf as “tremendous” but emphasised that Tahlequah’s recent loss is a poignant reminder of the species’ continuing struggle for survival.
Tahlequah, the grieving killer whale, spotted off Seattle coast mourning her deceased calf, echoing the heart-wrenching 2018 incident that captured global attention.
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