Orcas, the species once known as Killer Whales, are endangered, and the baby whales were at one time given only a 50 percent chance of survival. But two new calves appear to be alive and very well on Canada’s west coast.
The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) is observing two babies known as J50 and J51, in the waters around the San Juan Islands. The three-month olds are frolicking and breaching and having a whale of a time.
“Doing what baby orcas do,” said Michael Harris, Executive Director of the PWWA in an update.
“The two J-Pod calves are looking great — in fact, downright athletic. Both of them seem to be leaping for joy out there. The breaches we’re seeing are pretty spectacular. These little whales are really getting some air beneath them.”
The birth of J50 was a cause for celebration for conservationists monitoring the pod, as there had not been a successful birth in nearly three years.
J50 with J26 and mother J16 in Trincomali Channel between Saltspring Island and Galiano Island. (Pacific Whale Watch Association)
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