The Washington state-based Center for Whale Research says a new baby orca has been spotted with one of the critically endangered southern resident killer whale pods in the Salish Sea.

The adorably named J-63 is believed to be the first orca calf delivered by J-40 and is the fourth born to J Pod in the last twelve months. The other nist recently born calf, J-62, first spotted in early March was again seen traveling with the pod when when they were recently spotted last wee off the coast near Victoria. Most importantly for the pod, J-62 is a confirmed female, desperately needed in the pod for reproduction, while the sex of her cousin J-63 is still to be determined. Both are said to be “Filling out well and behaving normally.

Sadly the other two calves, born in late 2024, both died within weeks of being born. Scientists have linked the high rate of pregnancy failures to a lack of adequate, quality food in the region (particularly Chinook salmon) and noisy waters that make it more difficult for the orcas to hunt.