Over a week ago the Marine Connection reported about a new born orca calf that disappeared a day after it was first sighted. The charity has now received the news we were hoping for - little K-41 has been seen! (see 17 August below)

Colleagues from the research centre on San Juan Island are now certain that the calf is alive and well. It was seen swimming with its pod on Sunday August 20 in Boundary Pass, north of Stuart Island. The calf was first seen August 13 in Haro Strait between San Juan Island and Vancouver Island. Researchers now believe the pod swam from the Straight of Juan de Fuca to the open ocean and returned later that week. However the baby was still missing but two days ago tour boats groups saw the baby and called the centre. Researchers went out and confirmed the calf was back with its mother.

It is a complete puzzle to why the calf disappeared as young orcas nurse for their first year and usually don't stray far from their mothers, although one K-pod baby spent time with another mother several years ago. Let's hope this one doesn't stray too far again.