Famous orca mother Tahlequah has a healthy new calf

The Center for Whale Research confirmed J65, a male calf born to J35, known as Tahlequah. He is nursing, socializing, and showing no signs of trouble.

By Tazzora Editorial TeamVerified · Source: KIRO 7Oct 24, 2026 · 1 min read

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A Southern Resident orca surfacing in calm water — Illustrative photo of L79, a Southern Resident orca in Puget Sound. This is not calf J65. Erik Stockdale / Wikimedia Commons · CC0

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The Center for Whale Research has confirmed a new calf in the endangered Southern Resident orcas. J65 is a male, born to J35, the whale known as Tahlequah. Researchers first saw him beside her on October 19 and, from his look and earlier sightings of his mother, thought he was less than a week old. Drone video the next day showed he is male. He is nursing, socializing, and moving well, with no health problems seen, KIRO 7 reported.

Tamra Kelly, communications director for Orca Conservancy, called that a strong start. This is Tahlequah's fifth documented calf. A calf born in 2018 died, and she carried that calf for 17 days. A calf born in 2024 also did not survive. About half of Southern Resident calves live through the first year, so the coming months still matter. The pod's pressures are a thin food supply, pollution, and boat noise. For now the news is the calf at her side, eating and keeping up.

For the classroom

A new baby orca is swimming in Washington's Puget Sound. The Center for Whale Research says the calf, called J65, is a boy, and his mother is J35, also known as Tahlequah. Researchers watched him nurse, swim with the pod, and keep up. They did not see signs that he is sick. Southern Resident orcas are endangered, so a healthy calf is good news. People who study the whales will keep checking on him as he grows.