Orca Calf Spotted in Critically Endangered Puget Sound Pod

A new orca calf, born into a pod of endangered orca whales seen in Puget Sound’s Salish Sea, is being closely monitored by whale researchers, as it is the first successful birth in three months.

The three-week-old calf has been codenamed L1245 by the Center for Whale Research, and belongs to the L pod. According to a report from The Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal, the survival rate for calves decreases substantially after two years, and L1245’s 32-year-old mother, L124, previous lost one other calf. Scientists will be watching L124 and her offspring as the years go on in order to ensure the survival of the species in the Pacific Northwest.

This footage, filmed on July 11, shows a glimpse of the L pod orcas, including young L1245. Credit: Center for Whale Research via Storyful