Full J-pod in Salish Sea a good sign for orcas

All 25 members of J-pod have returned to the Salish Sea, including the newest member, born in late February.

The endangered pod of southern resident killer whales appeared just off Pender Island on Tuesday and has been hunting for chinook salmon around Haro Strait, the U.S. San Juan Islands, Active Pass and the Strait of Georgia toward the Fraser River.

Scientist Monika Wielandshields of the Orca Behavior Institute said it's only the second time in the past five years that J-pod has appeared in the Salish Sea in May. That's a good sign, she said, and the fact the pod seems to be sticking around indicates there is chinook for the whales to feed on. Chinook is the principal source of food for the southern resident population of orcas, whose numbers in J-, Kand L-pods have dwindled to 75.

Traditionally, J-pod spends most of the summer in the Salish sea, but with declining chinook stocks the family of orcas has had to look elsewhere to feed. Lately, the pod has been arriving closer to June and even July.

“We're very hopeful they stick around and find enough fish,” said Wieland-shields.

The newest member of the pod, three-month-old J59, appeared healthy and active, said Wielandshields, who photographed the baby with its mom, J37 Hy'shqa, off Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan Island on Tuesday. The Center for Whale Research confirmed through drone video and photos that J59 is female.

“The calf looked really good,” she said. “It was super active, spy-hopping and rolling around. Her mother and big brother were giving (the calf ) piggyback rides.”