A Happy New Year for Orcas!
Rumors started swirling Tuesday afternoon about a possible new baby seen in J pod of the Southern Residents, and we thrilled to share the official news from the Center for Whale Research – J16, Slick, has been seen with a brand new youngster at her side!
Slick is an experienced mother who is usually seen with her three living offspring (Mike, Alki, and Echo) – at an estimated 42 years old, she was a young orca herself when the annual census began in the early 70s.
After the recent tragic death of Rhapsody, another J pod member, earlier this month and the heartbreaking loss of an L pod baby this past fall, this is a ray of hope at the end of a rough year for the Southern Residents.
Help make 2015 a Happy New Year for these orcas and sign our petition – we won’t let the new baby be dammed!
December 31 Update: The newest addition to J pod will be designated J50, and will be given a name sometime next year. Researchers first spotted the new baby yesterday afternoon, swimming in Slick’s slipstream, looking healthy and full of energy!
