Orca calf raises hopes of baby boom in endangered population

A baby orca spotted Monday in J Pod is the fourth birth in three months sparking talk of a mini baby boom in the population of endangered southern resident orcas.

Naturalist and researcher Jeanne Hyde was on board the boat with Capt. Spencer Domicowatching J16 swimming with her three-month-old calf J50.

"We were assuming we had only the J16s," Hyde said. "And as they passed in front of the boat, I saw a small calf surfacing next to J16 and said, 'There's the baby.'

"But then J50 surfaced behind all the rest. That's when I told Spencer, 'I think there are two calves!'"

Michael Harris, the executive director of the Pacific Whale WatchAssociation, said it's a good sign.

"J Pod is certainly doing all it can to rebuild the ranks," he said.

Scientists say there are now three calves in J Pod and another in L Pod.

The southern resident population is made up of three pods J, K and L and the latest birth brings the total population to 81 for the rare orcas.

"The southern residents are a long way from being out of the woods these calves, too but this is great news," Harris said.