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New calf, loss, and trends in Washington’s Southern Resident killer whale population

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

A newborn Southern Resident killer whale calf with distinctive peachy coloring captured attention as it bonded with its family, not long after a tragic loss surfaced when a grieving mother was seen carrying her dead baby for days. The critically endangered population faces is threatened by dwindling prey, among other things.

Some South Sound orcas offered a glimpse into their playful behavior last year by reviving a quirky trend of donning salmon as hats, which scientists hadn't seen since the 1980s.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Off the coast of southeastern Mexico, an ocean giant was fitted with a satellite tag for a ‘record-breaking’ tracking study.

NO. 1: DAYS-OLD ENDANGERED SEA CREATURE SWIMS WITH MOM NEAR WASHINGTON ISLAND. SEE THE PAIR

“What a tiny miracle.” | Published September 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

NO. 2: ENDANGERED ORCA VANISHES FROM DWINDLING POD OFF WASHINGTON COAST. ‘EVERY LOSS HURTS’

The 31-year-old male was last seen in July by researchers. | Published November 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

NO. 3: SO HOT RIGHT NOW: WA ORCAS ARE WEARING DEAD SALMON ON THEIR HEADS IN LATEST FASHION FAD

The last time that scientists spotted the orca trend was in the 1980s. | Published November 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

NO. 4: GRIEVING ORCA SPOTTED CARRYING ANOTHER DEAD BABY OFF WASHINGTON. ‘DEVASTATING’

She was first seen carrying her calf’s body in 2018 for 17 days. | Published January 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

open seas in the ocean

NO. 5: BABY KILLER WHALE SEEN BOUNCING AND ROLLING OFF WASHINGTON. SEE THE PEACHY ORANGE CALF

The Southern Resident killer whale calf is “among the world’s most endangered marine mammals.” | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

Off the coast of southeastern Mexico, an ocean giant was fitted with a satellite tag for a ‘record-breaking’ tracking study.

NO. 6: BABY KILLER WHALE WITH PEACHY COLORING SEEN BONDING WITH FAMILY OFF WA. ‘PHENOMENAL’

A video shows the endangered sea creature rolling and splashing. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.