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Orca calf sighting brings hope for Puget Sound population
A baby orca recently spotted with the Puget Sound population of killer whales, who were declared endangered in 2005, could bring renewed hope for their future. The calf, seen with other members of L-pod in Monterey Bay, California brings the number of animals in the population to 86.
 Scientists from the San Juan Islands Centre for Whale reserach recognised the orcas as coming from local waters due to their distinctly shaped dorsal fins and saddle marks at the base which are used to identify individual orcas. It is common for orcas to venture further down the coast in search of salmon during the winter/spring months, however they are expected to be back in Puget Sound around May or June where they spend around 6 months around the Islands and in the Sound.
It has been confirmed that this calf is the offspring of one of two orcas within the population - which just happen to be mother and daughter. If the calf belongs to the mother, it will be her third meaning the chances of survival are good, however if the calf if the daughter's it will be her first, which greatly reduces the chance of survival, as historically, first born calves have less chance of making it to their first birthday.
We can only hold our breath for this young orca and hope for further reported sightings in Puget Sound in the summer.
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