Scientists spot third baby orca born recently

SEATTLE - U.S. scientists following endangered killer whales from a research vessel have spotted a baby orca off the coast of Washington state, the third birth documented this winter but still leaving the population dangerously low.

The research crew observed the calf on Wednesday with other whales in the L-pod, one of three families of southern resident killer whales that frequent inland Washington waters, said Brad Hanson, a biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.

The baby looks great and was very active when it was seen about 15 miles west of Westport, Wash., Hanson said in a telephone interview Thursday while NOAA's research vessel, Bell Shimada, was briefly at port.

It's the third baby born to the whale pods in recent months and is an encouraging sign for the Puget Sound endangered population, though their numbers remain low at 80. The whales are struggling because of pollution, lack of food, and other reasons.

The births are great news, but there also has not been a successful birth in the population for more than two years, said Ken Balcomb, senior scientist at the Center for Whale Research that keeps a census of the orcas.

"We know they've been having babies, they just haven't survived," Balcomb said. "We're getting more year-round observations, but the proof of the census is who's alive by July 1. If they're still here in July, we can celebrate. "

The population lost four whales last year, including a pregnant orca, a baby whale, and two others that went missing and were presumed dead.