Elder Orca J17's Health Declining, New Photos Show

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

SEATTLE, WA — A Puget Sound orca whose health has been declining in recent years has continued to deteriorate, NOAA Fisheries scientists said Friday. Photos released by NOAA show that J17 has the "peanut head" condition, which indicates that she has lost so much fat that her head has taken on an hourglass shape.

NOAA said scientists will monitor J17 and her daughter, J53, but are not planning to intervene right now.

"NOAA Fisheries does not plan to intervene with J17 or J53 at this time but will continue to work with partners to gather additional information, evaluate options and consult with experts," NOAA said in a statement Friday. "The public can help Southern Resident killer whales by giving them space to forage undisturbed and respecting the mandated state and federal viewing distances. NOAA Fisheries is also working with researchers to closely coordinate and limit their approaches around these whales."



On top of J17's decline, her daughter, J53, is also showing signs of poor health, according to NOAA. There are 75 Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) across three pods. The J-pod has 22 whales, and J17 is the second-oldest next to J16. Four-year-old J50 went missing last summer after a decline in health, and has been declared dead.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/elder-orca-j17s-health-declining-new-photos-show/ar-AABvDpB

[Ferryboat]

1. I'm so fortunate

I actually work at Washington state ferries. Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan island. See orcas all the time.

I feel so sorry for these beautiful creatures. Chased and harassed by the whale watching boats and the multiple private boats.

The local pods are doomed. They are picky eaters, focusing on the highly prized king salmon ignoring the more plentiful pinks and chums.

There are healthy populations elsewhere in the world so they won't be extinct. But still when they are gone from the local waters what makes this corner of our nation so special will be lost.

The one question I hear the most during the summer is will we see whales.

One bit of good news is there was a recent birth. Still the numbers are trending downward.