By Mandi Johnson

The orca calf first documented by NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center on Jan. 18 is missing and presumed to be dead.

The calf, designated J55, was not observed with the other J-pod whales during a recent research trip by the Center for Whale Research on Feb. 25.

“While J55 was not photographed on that day, it is the Center for Whale Research’s policy to wait to announce the loss of an individual whale until a thorough survey of the entire pod can be undertaken, yesterday provided that opportunity,” according to CWR Research Director Dr. Deborah Giles on their website. “The loss of this calf underscores the need to recover the whales’ primary prey base – Chinook salmon – if the Southern Resident population of whales is to survive and thrive”

Orca calves typically have a 50 percent mortality rate through their first year, and this year had been “baby boom” for the Puget Sound’s orca population having resulted in at least ten births. This is the second local calf that has been reported as missing or deceased.

Michael Harris, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, said on Jan. 4 that there were five calves born in the past year in the J-pod and three were born to the L-pod. With the discovery of J55, and the unidentified baby that was viewed being pushed around by J31, there were a total of ten calves.