New Southern Resident orca calf spotted in Strait of Juan de Fuca

A new southern resident orca calf has been spotted in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. But as one expert tells KOMO, researchers need a lot more information about this latest addition. KOMO's Jackie Kent has new details for us. Jackie. Yeah, specifically, Molly, researchers say they need a lot more sightings to figure out whether the calf is male or female, who its mother is, and to determine if he or she is healthy. A snapshot from the Center of Whale Research of the newest southern resident killer whale calf seen traveling with L-Pod in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca. We had 76 whales out there. Now we have one more who could be number 77. Researchers are calling the calf L-129, seen February 16th near Race Rocks. Michael Harris, who founded the Orca Conservancy, says there are unanswered questions about the calf's health and who is its mother. Everybody gets excited. Our job has always been a bit as experts to be the buzzkill, to remind people he or she may not make it, but this is good. As KOMO has reported about other pods, the Center for Whale Research notes the first years are hard for killer whales. Harris explains the addition of L-129 is critical for the endangered southern killer whale population. They look so beautiful and healthy and fabulous and majestic, and we're thrilled to have them. But they're dealing with a lot of challenges out there, and all of us sitting here, we're one of the biggest. If you do see these whales and if you see the baby, great. Just shut down, let them pass, do not approach them. The agency says it hopes to see him or her again soon and that the mother can find enough food to keep L-129 healthy. The Center also says it plans to share a full encounter report and more images in the coming days. For now, live in Seattle, Jackie Kent, KOMO News.