Southern Resident orca population is the lowest its been in decades
Despite two new births of healthy calves, the Southern Resident orca population is at the lowest it's been in decades, according to the latest census by the Center for Whale Research (CWR).
The 2022 census marks the lowest L pod census since the study began in 1976 and the lowest K pod numbers in two decades.
CWR said the 2022 census looked at the orca population from July 1, 2021 - July 1, 2022. During that period, three orcas died and two more were born.
In August 2021, whale researchers reported the Southern Resident orca's oldest male Cappuccino, K21, had died from either starvation, a chronic disease such as cancer, or both. Researchers said the 35-year-old whale was in a very emaciated shape before he died. The average life expectancy of a male resident orca is 30 years.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/southern-resident-orca-population-is-the-lowest-its-been-in-decades/ar-AA12poC6
