"...Earlier this month the Center for Whale Research and SR3 observed that both reproductive age females in the J16 matriline were pregnant. Sadly, on September 12th, J36, also known as Alki, was documented carrying a deceased female newborn. This new calf, presumably born to 18-year old J42, Echo, appeared to be in good body condition and was seen surfacing often in close proximity to grandmother, J16 and uncle, J26. The Center for Whale Research and SeaDoc hope to re-evaluate the new calf’s condition tomorrow..."

Caption and image courtesy of the seadocsociety. Check out their original post here

Nalani turned 19 years old on September 18th, 2025 at SeaWorld Orlando. Photo courtesy of EchoBeluga. Check out his original post here

"Late in the morning on September 12th, several sources alerted CWR researchers to apparent sightings of a southern resident killer whale pushing a deceased calf in Rosario Strait. CWR researchers arrived in the area in the early afternoon, and sadly were able to confirm that southern resident J36 was pushing a deceased female neonate, with umbilical cord still attached. 

Based on the size of the calf, we estimate that the calf was either full term or near full term. It is unclear if this was a stillbirth or if the calf died shortly after birth. Based on when we last observed J36, this calf would have been born within the last 3 days.

Researchers from SR3, SeaDoc Society, and the Whale Museum soon arrived on scene and conducted further documentation and measurement. We will share more when we can, and work with the other research teams to piece together what information we can about this calf and J36’s status."

Caption and image courtesy of the Center for Whale Research. Check out their original post here

Cody turned 4 years old on September 10th, 2025 at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park. Photo courtesy of arbunsz. Check out their original post here