Renowned Orca Matriarch Spotted with Deceased Calve for the Second Occurrence
Renowned Orca Matriarch Spotted with Deceased Calve for the Second Occurrence
Non-human beings, just like humans, experience feelings of loss when they lose their dear ones. A recent observation by whale researchers has shown an orca mother, identified as J35 or Tahlequah, carrying her deceased calf, referred to as J61, for an extended period. This behavior, remarkably similar to human mourning, has led many marine scientists to believe that Tahlequah is deeply mourning her child's demise.
On a Facebook post, the Center for Whale Research disclosed this incident involving Tahlequah and her deceased offspring on a Wednesday. J61's death, tragic in itself, poses a significant threat to the endangered southern resident killer whales dwelling off the Pacific Northwest, as Tahlequah's pod's survival may be jeopardized further.
Orcas, like Tahlequah, are not the only marine creatures to exhibit such grief-like behavior. In fact, there have been instances of other whales demonstrating similar behavior, with Tahlequah being possibly the most renowned. Back in 2018, Tahlequah was observed carrying her deceased calf for an astonishing 17 days, covering more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) of water. Not only did Tahlequah persist longer than other whales exhibiting similar behavior, but her close-knit pod members occasionally took turns carrying the calf.
Grief is not limited to highly social animals like orcas. Elephants have been observed burying their dead calves, while female primates have been seen holding onto their deceased offspring in a manner similar to Tahlequah and her calves.
J61's demise has added to the challenges faced by orcas in the area. Although orcas are located in healthy numbers around the world, the southern resident killer whales residing off the Pacific Northwest are classified as endangered. Calves of orcas, in general, face a harsh environment. As mentioned by the Center for Whale Research, survival rates for orca calves within the first year of life are only about 50%.
The researchers first became aware of J61's presence approximately two weeks prior. However, growing concerns regarding J61's health prompted them to closely observe Tahlequah's behavior. A potential silver lining exists, as the researchers have also confirmed the arrival of a healthy calf traveling with J pod, designated as J62. Despite the gender and identity of J62 remaining unclear, the calf appears to be in good health for the time being.
Researchers from various organizations, including the Center for Whale Research (CWR), NOAA, and other research groups, intend to continue observing J35 and the newly arrived calf, J62, provided appropriate conditions and whale movements permit.
Mourning is not an exclusive human experience. A growing body of research indicates that a broader range of non-human animals can perceive and respond to the notion of death, with the science behind this phenomenon referred to as comparative thanatology. Therefore, while orcas like Tahlequah might seem remarkably human-like, mourning isn't confined to a select few animal species. Besides orcas, there may be other species out there that explore the concept of death in unique ways.
The future of the southern resident killer whales, already endangered, faces further challenges due to J61's demise. Advances in technology and science could provide vital insights into the grieving process of orcas and other marine animals, helping us preserve these creatures and their habitats.
As our understanding of comparative thanatology grows, future research may reveal more species that exhibit complex emotional responses, challenging our belief in human uniqueness in this regard.