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05/04/2007: "New Orca Calf Sighted In SJ Waters"

( The Center for Whale Research photo by Dave Ellifrit)

Following several reports of a possible new calf in J-pod Wednesday, May 2, 2007, Dave Ellifrit, Katie Jones and Courtney Smith of the Center for Whale Research responded to the reports and encountered J-pod off the west side of San Juan Island traveling slowly northbound.

Upon closer inspection, Dave Ellifrit confirmed that J16 (born ~1972) did in fact have a new calf beside her. The new calf is officially designated J42, though the sex of the young whale is yet to be determined. The new calf is the fourth calf born to J16. Her other offspring include: J26 (male, 1991); J33 (male, 1996); and J36 (unk., 1999).

J-pod was last encountered by the Center for Whale Research April 28, 2007. J16 did not have the calf with her at that time, which leads Center staff to believe the newborn calf is less than 4 days-old at the time of this encounter.