In a heartbreaking turn of events, Tahlequah, a well-known killer whale, has been observed grieving for yet another calf. This deeply emotional sighting occurred off the coast of Washington state, as reported by the Center for Whale Research. The orca first drew global attention in 2018 when she carried her dead newborn for 17 days, a record-setting act of maternal mourning.
This time around, the loss hits particularly hard for researchers and conservationists, as Tahlequah has now lost two out of her four documented calves, both of which were female. The center emphasizes that every calf's death is a significant blow, but given Tahlequah's history, this latest loss is especially tragic.
Both the United States and Canada recognize the Southern Resident killer whales as endangered, primarily due to their reliance on Chinook salmon, which have significantly declined in number in recent years. Studies from the University of Washington reveal that issues surrounding calf survival are intimately connected to nutritional access to these vital fish.
Killer whales are known to travel impressive distances—averaging 120 kilometers (75 miles) daily—yet, they face increasing challenges as their food sources dwindle. The mourning period of Tahlequah serves as a stark reminder of the environmental and ecological struggles these magnificent creatures encounter in their natural habitat.
