J Pod welcomed a new baby this holiday season, spotted swimming the Pacific Northwest on Boxing Day.
The Center for Whale Research shared the news discovered by researchers Maya Sears and Mark Sears who documented the new orca Dec. 26.
It was not with the pod when the same researchers saw the whales Dec. 23.
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The Sears’ spotted the young killer whale in Puget Sound, primarily hanging out with adult female J40 who researchers deduce is likely the mother. The calf’s sex is unknown.
“We hope to see lots more of this calf in the coming weeks and months, and that both the calf and its mother will be able to thrive,” the research centre said in a statement.
READ ALSO: Southern resident killer whale population falls to 73
The U.S. Center for Whale Research is dedicated to the study and conservation of the Southern Resident orca population in the Pacific Northwest. The 2023 census showed as of July 1, there were 75 whales documented in the clan: 25 in J Pod, 16 in K pod and 34 in L Pod. At the time of the census, J Pod had yet to record a birth or death.
