Researchers who spotted a new born baby whale in one of three endangered groups of orcas that frequent Puget Sound, Washington State are now wondering if the calf has died. The baby whale, with the distinct orange coloring of a newborn, was spotted swimming with K Pod in Haro Straight off the west side of San Juan Island on Sunday August 13.

The following day, researchers observed K Pod for hours but did not see the baby. It has not been sighted since. It was clear from observations on Sunday that the calf belonged to K-22, a 19-year-old female named Sekiu. The two were swimming with Sekiu's first calf, 5-year-old K-33, or Tika, while the rest of the pod was about three miles ahead.

The newborn appeared normal on Sunday. Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, one of the researchers said the whale's grandmother, K-12 or Sequim, was with the main pod, meaning the grandmother was either unconcerned about the calf's health or did not yet know about the birth, which probably took place on Sunday. Orcas are about 8 feet long when born and weigh about 400 pounds. The newborn has been designated K-41 and will keep that number even if it is never seen again.

The southern resident orca population, which frequents Puget Sound and nearby waters, is believed to have numbered 140 or more in the last century. However it has suffered several major periods of decline since the 1960s, when the whales were caught for aquariums. When K-41 was spotted, thesouthern resident population increased to 90 for the first time since 1997.

The orca groups continue to be put at risk from vessel traffic, toxic chemicals and limits on availability of food, especially salmon - the primary food source of Puget Sound's orcas. It has only a small number of sexually mature males so the loss of this calf is tragic.

Image copyright: J Dorsey