New southern resident orca calf spotted with K-pod

A new orca calf is seen on Dec. 12 in this image handed out by the Center for Whale Research.

A pod of endangered southern resident orcas recently welcomed a new family member, researchers discovered last week.

The Washington-based Center for Whale Research says on Dec. 10 it received reports from two other orca organizations that a small calf was accompanying K-pod in Puget Sound.

Researchers found K-pod the following day and spotted the calf, swimming normally, now dubbed K47. They believe the killer whale was born within the same week.

The whale-watchers captured clear images of the calf’s dorsal fin, saddle patch and eye patch so it can be identified again, but will need better shots of its underside to confirm its sex. The baby was “most closely associating” with adult female K36, but the researchers said more encounters are required to be sure who the mother is.

“With such a young individual, we always balance our optimism with caution. The first year of life is hard for southern residents, with only about half of all calves born making it through this period,” the centre wrote in a social media post.

“We hope to see this calf survive and thrive over the coming months and years.”

There are approximately 74 endangered southern resident orcas living on the west coast in three family units, known as J, K and L pods.