Two killer whales found dead in B.C. waters within the span of a week both belonged to the endangered southern resident population, a necropsy shows.
But Department of Fishers and Oceans officials say there’s no clear cause of death in either case.
The body of an adult, 22-foot male was found floating near Ezperanza Inlet, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, on March 30.
Thanks to a scar from a satellite tag, DFO officials identified the orca as 20-year-old L95.
The cetacean’s body was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition, but the DFO says it was in fair to moderate condition when it was still alive.
A dead female calf discovered near Sooke on March 23 was also a southern resident, but it’s unclear what pod it belonged to.
The calf was around two weeks old when it died. Officials suspect the death may have been caused by a birthing complication.
Final necropsy reports on both of the deaths are expected within three to four weeks.
The DFO said both necropsies help researchers understand and assess threats to the endangered southern residents.
The population experienced a record number of births in 2015, but researchers estimate orca calves have just a 60 per cent chance of surviving their first year.
