In good news for J-pod, new killer whale calf is a female [Video]

The Center for Whale Research says it has confirmed a new killer whale calf in a pod of endangered orcas that live off B.C.’s southwest coast is female. 

It’s a piece of good news for J-pod, after the recent death of another calf whose mother carried the carcass for days in what researchers said was a display of grief.

The Washington state-based organization said on social media that the new calf known as J62 was seen on Feb. 8 off the San Juan Island, and researchers were able to photograph her belly and confirm her sex.

The group says the calf appears to be doing well and is “filling out nicely.”

The centre has previously said that new females are important for southern resident killer whales as they are “largely limited by the number of reproductively aged females.”

LISTEN: Hope turns to dismay as a new J pod calf dies before …