After 17 days and 1,000 miles, mother Orca drops her dead calf

[PearliePoo2]

After 17 days and 1,000 miles, mother Orca drops her dead calf

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/after-days-and-miles-mother-orca-drops-her-dead-calf/article_1b6a3196-9de9-11e8-af92-973def28eabc.html


Tahlequah the mother orca is no longer carrying her dead calf.

“J35 frolicked past my window today with other J pod whales, and she looks vigorous and healthy,” Ken Balcomb, founding director of the Center for Whale Research, wrote in an email to The Seattle Times. “The ordeal of her carrying a dead calf for at least 17 days and 1,000 miles is now over, thank goodness.”

Balcomb said J35, a member of the critically endangered southern resident orca whale population, probably has lost two others since her son was born in 2010.

“She is alive and well and at least over that part of her grief. Today was the first day that I for sure saw her. It is no longer there,” Balcomb said of the calf.

J35 showed no signs of “peanut head,” a condition that betrays malnutrition in an orca, as the cranium bones begin to show. “She’s been eating,” Balcomb said.

Updated photo and more about the condition of ailing J50 at the link.

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/state_news/after-days-and-miles-mother-orca-drops-her-dead-calf/article_1b6a3196-9de9-11e8-af92-973def28eabc.html

Rest in peace sweet baby calf.

[pazzyanne]

1. Thank heaven!

That poor whale. Who says that the animals do not have souls. J35 is one example that supports that fact IMHO. Thanks for sharing the good news, PearliePoo2!

[PearliePoo2]

3. You're most welcome! I was/am torn up with grief for this Orca and her pod.

Members of her pod were reported carrying her dead baby to give her a break to rest and eat. They brought salmon to her!

Her baby was decomposing, so maybe it wasn't intact enough to carry anymore.

I'm relieved she is moving on with her life and with all my heart I wish this entire pod the best.

I know these Orcas well. I've been out sailing when they've gone just under the boat's keel. Massive dark shadows just inches below me.

I've been close enough that when they surfaced to blow and exhale, I could smell the fish on their breath! Unforgettable!

[Scarsdale]

2. So glad to hear

this. Her grieving is getting easier for her to bear. What a sad state of affairs this was. No way to help, just had to watch in sympathy. Hopefully her next calf will be healthy.

[kentuck]

4. ...

[sweetroxie]

5. Me too.

[c-rational]

6. Relieved and saddened.