L-113: Fourth New Baby Orca Born in Puget Sound

October 17, 2009 by Cathy Ribble  
Filed under: News

F-It!
 

Leave a comment

baby_orcaA new baby orca in the L pod of Puget Sound killer whales has been confirmed by the Center for Whale Research and assigned number L-113.

The new baby was first spotted and photographed on October 10 off Port Townsend.  This is the fourth baby spotted this year.  Ken Balcomb, director for the Center for Whale Research, believes the calf was born after September 20, the last time the pod was seen without a new calf.

“Until further documentation, the identity of the mother is unsure,” the whale advocacy group Orca Network reported on its web site.  L-113’s mother is thought to be the 14-year-old orca numbered L-94, but known as Calypso.  This would be Calypso’s first calf, and that is not good news for the newborn.  Survival chances past the first birthday are not good.  With a first calf, female orcas pass on high levels of toxic chemicals both in the womb and in their milk.

The other three baby orcas spotted this year include J-44 and L-112, spotted in February, and J-45 was spotted in March.

The arrival of these baby orcas has brought the Puget Sound population to 86.  Orcas were on the endangered species list in 2005.  Numbers reached 140 in the last 100 years, but have fluctuated since that time.  Scientists believe pollution has been a factor.

The killer whale pods normally leave Puget Sound for the ocean at this time of year.  Ken Balcomb at the center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor indicated the whale experts are hopeful to see them another time or two before the whales make their final trip to the ocean this year.  “We’re hoping they’ll come back in so we can get another look at the calf,” said Susan Berta of Orca Network.  “Sometimes in winter, they’ll make their first jaunt out and then come back in.”

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Delicious]  [Post to Digg]  [Post to Reddit]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Welcome back! If you love Baby Chums, please subscribe to our RSS feed.
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy!


Read More related stories...
Baby beluga whale survives rough birth at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium
A baby beluga whale was born into the world on...
White rhino calf born in British zoo
The white rhino calf was the first example of a...
Baby Born with Highlights in Hair
Larna Allman was born born six weeks ago with blonde...
Your Ad Here
Bambino Direct

Comments

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!





Recent Posts

Carly Zucker and Joe Cole Welcome a DaughterCarly Zucker and Joe Cole Welcome a Daughter

Carly Zucker gave birth to the couple's first child yesterday, March 19. Carly gave birth to a little girl at The Portland... »

Young children call 911, help their mother deliver babyYoung children call 911, help their mother deliver baby

Two young children called 911 for advice on how to help their mother deliver her baby after she quickly went into labor at... »

Emma Bunton: “I’d Love to Have More Children”Emma Bunton: “I’d Love to Have More Children”

The former Spice Girl says that she would love to give her 19 month old son Beau Lee a sibling or two. It appears that Emma... »

Amy Poehler and Will Arnett Expecting Second ChildAmy Poehler and Will Arnett Expecting Second Child

The funny couple Amy Poehler and Will Arnett have confirmed that they are expecting their second child. It appears that... »

Kevin Costner Soon to Be a Dad of 7Kevin Costner Soon to Be a Dad of 7

Kevin Costner and his wife Christine Baumgartner Costner are expecting another child this summer. It appears that Kevin... »

Flavio Briatore and Elisabetta Gregoraci Welcome a SonFlavio Briatore and Elisabetta Gregoraci Welcome a Son

Flavio Briatore, 59, and Elisabetta Gregoraci, 30, are now the proud parents of a little boy. Falco Nathan Briatore was... »

Should British women be better compensated for donating their eggs?Should British women be better compensated for donating their eggs?

A debate has been sparked in Britain about whether its women should be better compensated for donating eggs to infertile... »

Wonder Years Danica McKellar Pregnant With First ChildWonder Years Danica McKellar Pregnant With First Child

The former Wonder Years actress, who played Winnie Cooper on the show, is pregnant with her first child. Danica and her... »

Stone Temple Pilots Frontman Scott Weiland Got a Massage While Wife Was in LaborStone Temple Pilots Frontman Scott Weiland Got a Massage While Wife Was in Labor

Scott Weiland reveals that while his ex-wife was in labor, he received his very own massage and doesn't see anything wrong with... »

Dannii Minogue Talks Pregnancy CravingsDannii Minogue Talks Pregnancy Cravings

The X Factor judge, who is due with her first child in July talks about her not not-so-healthy pregnancy cravings. Dannii... »

    ITN News Entertainment Videos

    Loading...