SEATTLE — Scientists say an orca who garnered worldwide sympathy when she carried her dead calf for 17 days and more than 1,000 miles two years ago is pregnant.
Scientists John Durban and Holly Fearnbach recently finished recording drone images of the endangered southern residents and discovered pregnancies amid the J, K and L pods.
Pregnancies are not unusual but the orca known as Tahlequah’s pregnancy carries special meaning for the many people that grieved the death of her calf along with her.
The southern residents are struggling to survive for lack of salmon, and that is thought to be a contributor to why most pregnancies are not successful.