Months-old orca calf spotted off Vancouver Island, confirmed to be female
A young southern resident killer whale calf was recently photographed swimming in the waters off Vancouver Island, allowing researchers to identify the young orca as female.
The roughly six-month-old calf, dubbed L125, was spotted in the Swiftsure Bank area just west of Port Renfrew.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) says it was able to identify L125 as female, which is promising news for the matriarchal species, which needs more females to assist with population growth.
L125 was born in B.C. waters in February. In a rare occurrence, three separate orca pods gathered in the waters of the Haro Strait seemingly to meet the new calf.
"It's interesting that all three pods got together at the time of this birth, as happened (on) September 5, 2020, when J35 Tahlequah gave birth to J57 and K and L pods came in from the Pacific to join J pod," wrote the Orca Network back in February.
The DFO says that L125 was seen swimming near an "interim sanctuary zone" at Swiftsure Bank. Interim sanctuary zones are seasonal areas that are closed to boat traffic so that orcas can safely forage for food with reduced underwater noise pollution.
Southern resident killer whales are an endangered species, largely due to reduced chinook salmon prey and dangers posed by boats, according to the DFO.
The Centre for Whale Research estimates that there are roughly 74 southern resident killer whales left, though some researchers say the small population is in the best condition it has been in roughly a decade.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops
As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east, wounding more than a dozen people, and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.