Unfortunately the excitement regarding the news of J-Pods new calf J-50 might not be as bright as we may have hoped. Recent sightings combined with the fact that presumed mother J-16 or Slicks 16 year old daughter J-36 or Alki has not been seen alongside Slick or the calf indicate Alki may have been the actual mother and ultimately died in childbirth. Under normal circumstances, Alki would have been present had the calf belonged to her mother, and no Southern Resident female has given birth at the age of 42-43 in the 4 decades that have passed since studies began. The calf has remained relatively close to J-16 despite Alkis disappearance, however, there have been signs of bite marks on its dorsal fin, which, according to Ken Balcomb from the Center for Whale Research: could indicate a troubled birth where another whale had to use its mouth to help pull the baby out of its mothers uterus. On occasion the calf was seen swimming away from J-16s side and had to be corralled by other members of J-Pod. The best case scenario is that 42 year old J-16 is in fact the calfs mother and her 16 year old daughter just wasnt seen during initial sightings, or that 16 year old Alki is in fact the mother and grandma was simply caring for the calf while J-36 needed a break. Worst case scenario is Alki died in childbirth and the calf (expected to be between 4 and 10 days old) is now being cared by its grandmother. If this is the case, the grandmother will not be able to produce milk and the calf will ultimately not survive. Is J-16 the mother or grandmother? Did J-36 leave her baby in good hands with its grandmother, or did she perish in a complicated birth? The answers wont be known until the clan is spotted again, even then the fate of the baby orca is uncertain. More info along with photos can be seen by clicking the following link. Please keep the Southern Residents in your thoughts and prayers as they may be facing yet another potential loss. sanjuanjournal/news/287228441.html?mobile=true
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 13:02:08 +0000
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