Tom Averna, of Deer Harbor Charters, spotted J,K and L pod coming from Victoria, British Columbia toward the islands. The new born calf in L pod, called L-119, was swimming with its mother,  L-77, or Matia (born 1987), who is the daughter of Ocean Sun, L-25 (born 1928). The Center for Whale Research recently identified the calf as being female.

The appearance of a newly born calf is generally cause for celebration.

And while no one is taking L-pod’s newest arrival lightly,  David Ellifrit, of the Center for Whale Research, notes that one newborn doesn’t make up for those that are missing.

“The population would be 89, if it weren’t for the ones we know have died, like L-112, and the others we still haven’t seen this spring,” he said.

The cause of death of L-112, a 3-year-old female that washed up on the outer coast in February remains under investigation. Ellifrit said two L-pod females, L-12, estimated to be 78 years of age, and L-5, 47 years, have not been seen so far this year. Most members of L-pod, he said, have been spotted. In addition, Ellifrit noted that J-30, a male believed to be about 16 years of age, is also accounted for.

“We haven’t seen him all spring either,” he said.