A new orca calf has been spotted with J pod of the endangered southern resident killer whale population near B.C.'s West Coast, researchers say.

The newborn whale was confirmed on Tuesday near Kelp Reef off San Juan Island in Washington state, according to the Center for Whale Research.

The calf has a "lumpy" appearance, which suggests it was born within the last few days, the research centre said in a statement.

Canadian study raises new questions about why southern resident killer whales are in decline

The endangered orcas are not suffering from a shortage of chinook salmon to feed on in the Salish Sea, according to a new study from the University of British Columbia.

K16 and K35, members of K pod, seen in Haro Strait on July 6, 2019. Their relative, K25, hasn't been seen since January and was not with the rest of the pod.

southern resident killer whales k16 k35

Southern resident killer whales K16 and K35 are seen in Haro Strait between Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands in British Columbia on July 6, 2019. A recent University of British Columbia study of fish stocks in summer feeding grounds suggests the endangered orcas do have enough chinook salmon to eat. 

The little whale has been given the ID J59, and its mother is believed to be J37, also known as Hy'Shqa. The baby's sex is not yet known, but it's the first calf born to J pod since September 2020.

The southern resident killer whale population is critically endangered and its numbers have fallen to the low 70s in recent years.

Killer whale calf J59, shown here on Mar. 1, 2022, is the first baby born to J pod since September 2020.

Orca calf J59 was photographed swimming alongside its mother, J37, on Mar. 1, 2022.

New baby spotted with endangered southern resident killer whale pod

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