National

Orca Calf Born To Endangered B.C. Population Is Missing, Presumed Dead

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Feb, 2016 11:58 AM

VANCOUVER — Scientists say the newest member of an endangered population of killer whales that travel the waters off British Columbia and Washington state appears to have died.

The U.S.-based Center for Whale Research says the orca calf, named J55, is missing and presumed dead.

J55 was first documented swimming with a pod of southern-resident killer whales on Jan. 18 in Puget Sound, along the northwest coast of Washington state.

The calf was not seen again during a sighting of the pod in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Jan. 19 and another sighting on Feb. 25.

Deborah Giles of the Center for Whale Research says the loss of any calf is a blow to the struggling population, but it's not entirely surprising because up to half of newborn orcas do not survive their first year.

The endangered southern-resident killer whales are currently having a baby boom, with more than eight new calves born over the last year.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Little To No Fire Protection In Almost Half Of Canada's Reserves: Report

An internal federal government report says almost half the First Nations across Canada have "little to no fire protection" and rely too heavily on poorly trained volunteer firefighters who can't do the job.

Little To No Fire Protection In Almost Half Of Canada's Reserves: Report

Fire Crews Douse Blaze After Ancient Tree Toppled In Vancouver's Stanley Park

Vancouver Fire Chief Dan Wood says the blaze began overnight on Sunday and worked its way up the centre of the dying tree, eventually causing it to collapse.

Fire Crews Douse Blaze After Ancient Tree Toppled In Vancouver's Stanley Park

Dozens Displaced After Fire At Downtown Vancouver Social Housing Complex

Dozens of people were displaced Saturday by a two-alarm fire in a downtown Vancouver social housing complex, but most were expected to return later that evening.

Dozens Displaced After Fire At Downtown Vancouver Social Housing Complex

Canadian Cities To Tame Downtown White Elephants Of 'Wrong-headed Planning'

After the colossal Georgia Viaduct was built in 1972, a grassroots uproar stopped the construction of what would have been a multi-lane expressway.

Canadian Cities To Tame Downtown White Elephants Of 'Wrong-headed Planning'

Avian Flu Response Gets $300,000 Funding Boost From Canada And B.C. Governments

The federal and British Columbia governments are investing $300,000 to step up avian flu surveillance, early detection and response efforts.

Avian Flu Response Gets $300,000 Funding Boost From Canada And B.C. Governments

Tax Rates Changes And TFSA Limit Reduction Means Reviewing Your Financial Plan

The vast majority of Canadians will not be affected by the new tax bracket for income over $200,000 a year, but everyone will see their tax-free savings account contribution limit be reduced back to $5,500 for 2016.