Stranded orca off B.C. coast was pregnant when she died, necropsy finds – BC [Video]

The Biggs Killer Whale that died off the B.C. Coast this weekend was pregnant, officials have confirmed.

A veterinary pathologist with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Dr. Stephen Raverty, led a necropsy on the whale on Monday and determined she was pregnant with a female fetus when she died.

It is still unclear if the whale was hunting and became stranded as the tide receded or had an underlying health condition, the necropsy found.

The Ehattesaht First Nation conducted ceremonies for the unborn animal.

They also tried to keep it cool and refloat the whale but she died on Saturday morning.

The mother was with her calf at the time who has stayed in the area since its mother’s death.

The live calf has been named kʷiisaḥiʔis (kwee-sa-hay-is). Roughly translated, this means “Brave Little Hunter,” according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

Attention has now turned to the calf and …