Southern resident orca mother seen pushing deceased calf

Researchers in Washington State have confirmed a sad outcome for a southern resident orca mother.

The Center for Whale Research says they were able to confirm that southern resident J36, a member of J Pod, was seen pushing a deceased calf in Rosario Strait on Sept. 12.

Staff said that the umbilical cord was still attached.

Based on the size of the calf, they say it could have been born either full term or near full term, but it was unclear if it was a stillbirth, or if the calf died shortly after birth.

They estimated the calf was born in the previous three days before the sighting.

This is not the first time that an orca mother from this pod has been seen carrying a deceased calf.

J35, known by the nickname Talequah, is a member of the southern resident killer whale J pod and made