SEATTLE — A southern resident killer whale from J pod was spotted Friday pushing a dead calf through the waters of Rosario Strait, a heartbreaking scene that researchers say underscores the fragile future of the endangered population.

The Center for Whale Research (CWR) confirmed the sighting after receiving reports late Friday morning . They identified the whale as J36, a female long known to the team. She was separated from other whales and pushing a deceased female calf that was full-term or near full-term, the center said. The calf still had its umbilical cord attached.

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“It’s not easy, it’s never easy, and I suspect it never will be easy,” said Michael Weiss, research director for the Center f

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