J-pod’s recent arrival of a female orca calf offers a glimmer of hope for the endangered Southern Resident orca whale community, which faces dire challenges. This birth underscores the urgent need for climate action and biodiversity conservation to protect this species and their habitat.

In 2018, Tahlequah (or J35), a Southern Resident orca whale, captured the hearts of millions of people around the world as she carried her dead calf for 17 days and over 1,000 miles. Earlier this year, her newest calf, a female known as J61 to researchers, experienced the same fate, where Tahlequah once again displayed a similar act of mourning. As a member of this highly vulnerable population, these heartbreaking acts of grief raised concerns among researchers for the physical and emotional toll, drawing attention to the much larger challenges faced by her critically endangered pod, and marine ecosystems worldwide.

However, recent news presents a glimmer of hope: a new female calf, known as J62, has been born into the pod. Given that female orcas are the lifeblood of their populations, this addition is critical in ensuring the survival of future generations. Although this week’s positive news is a cause for celebration, it also underscores the urgent reality that Southern Resident orca populations are at a critical point, and without decisive climate action, their future remains uncertain.

Why is this happening?

Unlike transient orcas which hunt marine mammals, the Southern Residents rely on Chinook salmon – a vital food source that has been in steep decline because of habitat destruction, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change on our oceans. Nutritional stress, in combination with pollution and other environmental stressors, has resulted in an increase of unsuccessful pregnancies and high calf mortality rates.

A call for climate and conservation action

The birth of J62 serves as a reminder that Southern Resident orcas, along with countless other marine species, still have a fighting chance, but only if we act now. Protecting our marine ecosystems means addressing the broader environmental crises that threaten them.

Science has proven that ocean temperatures are rising, and acidification continues to affect the entire marine food web. To preserve our ocean’s health, we must advocate to our leaders and politicians to reduce carbon emissions and enforce stricter regulations on pollution, which can help minimize the contamination that enters our water bodies. Each day, we can take simple steps in reducing our own carbon footprint too, such as using public or active modes of transport, reducing plastic consumption, and supporting renewable energy. Likewise, supporting ocean conservation initiatives, more specifically in this context restoring salmon populations and supporting Indigenous-led traditional ecological knowledge projects, and implementing sustainable fishing practices is essential for the marine food supply. These actions can take the shape of more informed choices about seafood consumption, choosing local more sustainable produce, and advocating for policy changes aimed at protecting marine environmental and orca habitats.

This recent light of hope alone is not enough. Tahlequah’s story, though one of loss, is also one of resilience in the face of adversity. It is now up to us to support the environment, as it has long supported us. 

Like what you’re reading? Sign up for NET’s mailing list to receive updates on all things biodiversity.