Grieving Again: Tahlequah the Killer Whale Mourns Another Loss

Killer whale Tahlequah, known for her 2018 display of grief, is once again in mourning after the loss of another calf. The Southern Resident killer whales continue to face significant threats, primarily due to declining food sources.

In a poignant display of maternal grief, Tahlequah, a Southern Resident killer whale, has been observed once more pushing the lifeless body of her deceased calf off the coast of Seattle. This heartbreaking scene is reminiscent of her famous journey in 2018, when she carried her dead newborn for 17 days, which captivated worldwide attention. According to the Center for Whale Research, Tahlequah is facing this profound loss again, as her newborn calf has passed away.

The Center’s findings highlight the emotional toll of losing a calf, noting that each loss bears significant weight in the life of these endangered marine mammals. Tahlequah has now lost two out of the four calves documented in her lifetime—both of which were female. The plight of the Southern Resident killer whales is dire, with both Canada and the United States classifying them as endangered species.

The whales are heavily reliant on the declining populations of Chinook salmon for nutrition, which directly impacts their ability to sustain and raise healthy offspring. Studies conducted by the University of Washington have linked reproductive failures in killer whales to nutrition issues stemming from the lack of accessible salmon. As these magnificent creatures can cover an average of 120 kilometers (75 miles) a day, their journeys continue to be overshadowed by the challenges they face due to habitat loss and dwindling food sources.

The sighting of Tahlequah mourning her calf serves as a stark reminder of the fragile state of the Southern Resident killer whale population and underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to ensure their survival.