Two years back, the world watched a grieving pregnant orca journey with her dead calf for nearly 17 days.
However, that same whale is pregnant again and the world couldn’t be happier.
Commonly referred to by researchers as J35, Tahlequah is spreading smiles. But she’s not the only pregnant Orca. Yes, more Southern Resident killer whales lie in the same boat as her.
Recently, drone photos proved that she was one of the many pregnant orca whales that were identified by a team of researchers in early July. The news was reported by SR3, which is a prominent sea life response as well as research and rehab group.
Two years back in 2018, the pregnant Orca grieved for nearly 17 days as she swam through waters, carrying her dead calf. Tahlequah refused to accept her child’s death and hence couldn’t watch it sink. Similarly, she put in relentless efforts to move her calf towards the water surfaces of the Canadian as well as Northwestern US coast.
According to reports, the orca population has a major extended family that comprises nearly three different types of social groups. These are commonly referred to as pods. While the SR3 confirmed that orcas from several pods were expecting, they were unable to clarify the exact figures.
It is rather unusual for different females from all three pod variants to expect simultaneously. However, not many of the pregnancies were as successful as one would imagine them to be.
The latest online release claims that researchers at the University of Washington proved how failed pregnancies were related to poor nutrition. In particular, it pointed towards poor access to the Chinook type of salmon prey.
According to the renowned Center for Whale Research, orcas require designated space to feed as the Southern Resident orca population stands at a major low of just 73.