Tahlequah, the killer whale that gained worldwide attention for mourning her deceased calf for 17 days in 2018, has experienced another tragedy as she was spotted pushing the body of her recently lost newborn calf off the coast of Washington. This loss highlights ongoing issues related to the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population and their dependence on dwindling Chinook salmon for survival.
Tahlequah the Killer Whale Mourns Again After Losing Another Calf
Tahlequah the Killer Whale Mourns Again After Losing Another Calf
The grieving killer whale, known as Tahlequah, is again seen pushing the lifeless body of her newborn calf, raising concerns for the endangered Southern Resident orca population.
Tahlequah, a killer whale recognized for her emotional displays, was recently seen again demonstrating her grief after the loss of a newborn calf. In 2018, she gained international attention for carrying her deceased calf for 17 days, an act that resonated deeply with people around the world. According to the Center for Whale Research, she has now been observed pushing the body of another dead calf, this time off the coast of Washington state.
The organization noted that while it is not uncommon for killer whales to carry their dead calves for a week, Tahlequah has previously set a "record" with her prolonged mourning period. The recent death of her calf, as stated by the research center, is particularly devastating considering Tahlequah's history of losing two out of four documented calves—both females.
Both Canada and the United States classify Southern Resident killer whales as endangered, facing severe threats primarily due to the decline in their principal food source, Chinook salmon. As ocean ecosystems continue to suffer, the failure to reproduce in killer whales has been linked to nutritional deficiencies, according to studies conducted by the University of Washington.
As these majestic whales are capable of traveling an average of 120km (75 miles) each day, the sighting of Tahlequah pushing the lifeless body occurred when she was observed along the shores of Victoria, British Columbia, just as in her previous mourning episode. The recurring theme of grief in Tahlequah's life serves as a stark reminder of the urgent conservation challenges faced by the Southern Resident killer whale population.
