It's a boy! Researchers confirm sex of famous killer whale's newborn

The newly arrived calf of a southern resident killer whale famed for her marathon display of grief is male, the Center for Whale Research has confirmed.

Known for now as J57, the baby orca was spotted Tuesday near Point Roberts, Washington state, rolling and spyhopping alongside mother J35, also known as Tahlequah, the American organization said in a news release.

That encounter allowed researchers to get a glimpse ofthe young whale's genital slit.

It's believed J57 was born on Sept. 4, the second viable offspring of J35.

The mother became famous around the world in 2018 when she carried her dead calf through west coast waters for 17 days before letting it go.

The last healthy calf born to the southern residents was in May 2019.

For more on the threatsto the southern resident killer whales and the efforts to save them, check out CBC British Columbia's original podcastKillers: J pod on the brink, hosted by Gloria Macarenko.