Newborn orca in L pod has Dyes Inlet connection
August 14th, 2008 by cdunaganThe Center for Whale Research has reported a new baby orca in L pod, and researchers captured photos within a few hours of its birth.
Newborn calf born to L-47, “Marina.”
Photo courtesy of Center for Whale Research |
The calf, spotted Tuesday afternoon off the west side of San Juan Island, has been designated L-111, the next number in the sequence for members of L pod. The young animal is the sixth calf born to L-47, a 34-year-old female nicknamed “Marina.” She was one of the 19 whales that visited Dyes Inlet for a month in 1997.
The new calf joins sisters L-83, “Moonlight,” and L-91, “Muncher,” which were other Dyes Inlet whales. Moonlight had a calf, L-110, which was born last year, making Marina a grandmother. Marina’s previous calf, L-107, was born in 2005 but survived no more than a few months, according to researchers at the center.
Because the new mother was observed without a calf Monday evening, the baby could not have been more than a day old when the photos were taken. The orange coloration and “fetal folds” in the skin are evidence of a newborn orca.
The calf is a welcome addition to L pod, which may be missing two animals this year, researchers say. As of December, the population of L pod was listed at 43.
For more information and additional photos, check the Center’s “Encounters” page.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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