Trio of endangered orcas pregnant along B.C. coast: U.S. researchers
Southern resident killer whales face a variety of serious challenges, from dwindling salmon stocks to increasing vessel traffic. The orcas' population has shrunk to just 74 individuals – but it seems despite all those problems, the orcas don’t have trouble finding a mate.
According to U.S. research organization SR3, and Washington state itself, a trio of the endangered mammals are in the late stages of pregnancy.
"This news couldn’t come at a better time and be more exciting," said orca expert and historian, Kelley Balcomb.
Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife has placed southern residents J-19, J-36 and J-37 on its list of sick or vulnerable whales.
This means that mariners are asked to keep an even larger distance away from orcas than is normally required.
"It’s a half mile recommendation, but that is only for professional whale watchers," said executive director of the Pacific Whale Watching Association, Erin Gless.
Most whale watching organizations in British Columbia and Washington state have agreed not to search out the southern residents at all, and with these pregnancies, they are now asking public boaters to do the same.
"Make sure you are actively looking for whales and if you do come across them make sure you follow those guidelines, which in Canada is 400 metres for all orcas," said Gless.
Predictions of pregnancy in the southern resident population have historically been rare.
Researchers say that previously, an orca would have had to breach and show its body in a way that its enlarged stomach could be photographed.
Now, new aerial methods of research and photography are drastically changing the game, according to Balcomb.
"These new technologies are giving us insights we didn’t have before," she said.
Drone research is now more accepted as a less intrusive way of viewing killer whales along the north Pacific coastline.
Images of killer whales from above can be placed side-by-side and accurately show the signs of pregnancy.
An orca pregnancy lasts roughly 18 months, and with Washington state staff calling these pregnancies "late-stage," new calves could be welcomed into Vancouver Island waters any day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.