Endangered Orca Tahlequah Mourns Second Calf’s Death in Heartbreaking Display

Tahlequah, a Southern Resident killer whale, carries her dead newborn, highlighting her species' struggle for survival amid environmental threats and food scarcity.

Tahlequah, also known as J35, has been observed carrying the body of her deceased calf for days, mirroring her 2018 mourning of another lost offspring.
Southern Resident killer whales, an endangered population, face threats from pollution, ship traffic, inbreeding, and a critical decline in their primary food source, Chinook salmon.
The calf, a female born in late December, lived less than two weeks and struggled to survive before its death; scientists are unable to determine the precise cause.
Experts emphasize that the orca population’s survival depends on increasing Chinook salmon availability, with some advocating for dam removals to restore salmon habitats.
Tahlequah’s mourning underscores the emotional capacity of orcas and serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address the environmental challenges threatening their existence.