Three 'Critically Endangered' Orcas Are Pregnant
September 20, 2021
Three pregnancies discovered in the southern resident orcas' J pod could help save the species.
Image by Eveline de Bruin
The southern resident orcas represent the smallest of four resident communities within the northeastern portion of the North America North Pacific Ocean.
There are currently only 74 southern resident orcas left.
"It's pretty exciting and it's very significant," biologist Lance Barrett-Lennard told CBC News. "The southern resident population of which [the] J-pod belongs to is critically endangered."
Scientists in Washington state discovered the pregnancies using aerial drones.
"The use of drones has revolutionized everything," Barrett-Lennard said. "It supplies us with very high-resolution photographs.... One can see the edges of the whales pretty well and measure their total length and shape ... and of course we can detect pregnancies fairly early."
Researchers are hopeful that the three mothers-to-be will overcome tough odds and help bring their species back from the brink.
"In most years they have no reproduction at all," Barrett-Lennard said. "So having three pregnancies is good, it's exciting. This is what the pod needs."
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
A Husky Was Lost. Owners Found Him With A Drone - Hanging Out With Bears
NBA Player Invites Old High School Coach To Live With Him After His Wife Passes
Friendly Donkey Serves As A Guide For A Blind Horse
Cat's Face Shows Opposite Of Gratitude After Being Rescued
A First Birthday Reunion Party For The Whole Litter, Mama Pup Included
Dog Completely Changes From Black To White
Can't Stop Laughing: Woman Screams, Runs From Angry Honking Geese
Mom With Cancer Shows Off Her New Wig, Husband's Reaction Has Everyone Laughing
Stuff Mothers Say: Magician Sings Song About All The Sayings We Never Forget
Man And Dog Left Stunned After Cat FLIES Across The Room
The Enchanted Cave Is The Largest Amethyst Cave In The World