Orca who carried her dead newborn 1,000 miles gives birth to another new calf
The killer whale who captured hearts across the world in 2018 for refusing to let go of her dead calf has given birth to her second baby in the last four years.
The killer whale who captured hearts across the world in 2018 for refusing to let go of her dead calf has given birth to her second baby in the last four years.
The Center for Whale Research said a team of researchers was able to begin observation of the newborn girl Monday, giving the calf the alphanumeric designation J61. The center added that it was "eager" to conduct follow-up observations of the calf.
Her mother is known as Tahlequah, designation number J35. Researchers assign the animals alphanumeric identifications and eventually nicknames to go with them.
The Center for Whale Research expressed concern for the health of both J61 and her mother.
"Early life is always dangerous for new calves, with a very high mortality rate in the first year," the Center for Whale Research said Tuesday. "J35 is an experienced mother, and we hope that she is able to keep J61 alive through these difficult early days."
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