Southern resident killer whale seen pushing dead calf east of the San Juan Islands

Researchers at the Center for Whale Research are looking to understand what led to the death of a Southern Resident killer whale calf who was seen east of the San Juan Islands Friday.

Late Friday morning, researchers with CWR say they received sighting reports of a Southern Resident killer whale pushing a dead female calf in the 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,” states CWR.

Its researchers estimated the calf was either full or close to full term but were unable to determine whether it was a stillbirth or died shortly after birth.

Researchers estimate the calf was born within the last three days.

“Researchers fr