The necropsy of the Southern Resident killer whale, known as J32, confirms she was pregnant with a near full-term female calf. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the results show the fetus caused an infection, which ended up being fatal.

The endangered killer whale was found off Bates Beach near Comox on December 3, and a necropsy took place December 6.

The DFO released the results Tuesday, and says tissue samples will be sent to eight labs across Canada and the US for more investigations, and a final report is expected next spring.