(RightIsRight.co) – History is repeating itself as an endangered Pacific Northwest orca that made global headlines in 2018 for carrying her dead calf for over two weeks is going through the same again following the death of her new calf.
This tragic event highlights the devastating impact of environmental challenges on America’s beloved marine life.
Tahlequah, also known as J35, has lost another calf and is now carrying its lifeless body in what appears to be an act of grief.
This sorrowful spectacle imitates her internationally recognized 17-day journey in 2018, during which she carried her previous dead calf for over 1,000 miles.
The Center for Whale Research reported that Tahlequah has now lost two of her four documented calves, underscoring the region’s precarious state of orca populations.
The death of any calf is a significant blow to the endangered southern resident killer whale population, which has dwindled to a mere 73 individuals.
With only 23 breeding females remaining, every loss is a critical setback for the species’ survival.
While liberals push for ineffective environmental regulations that harm American businesses, the real threats to orca populations persist.
These magnificent animals face challenges such as a lack of Chinook salmon, their primary food source, pollution, and vessel noise.
Instead of focusing on job-killing green initiatives, lawmakers should prioritize practical solutions that balance conservation efforts with economic growth.
“The entire team at the Center for Whale Research is deeply saddened by this news and we will continue to provide updates when we can,” the center stated.
Furthermore, researchers are concerned about Tahlequah’s energy expenditure and foraging difficulties as she carries her calf’s body.
Brad Hanson, a NOAA orca researcher, explained, “That essentially results in a lot more drag, and so her energy expenditure is going to be fairly significant.”
While some researchers attribute human-like emotions to these animals, it is important to maintain a scientific approach.
Joe Gaydos from SeaDoc Society suggested that Tahlequah is grieving, noting similarities in neurotransmitters and emotions between humans and whales.
“Over the last few years, we realized that we have the same neurotransmitters that they have. We have the same hormones that they have. Why shouldn’t we also have the same emotions that they have,” Gaydos stated.
This devastation is not isolated to Tahlequah, as other orcas have similarly been observed mourning dead calves.
It also profoundly illustrates these creatures’ societal depth and complexity, emphasizing the urgency of protecting them from threats like pollution and overfishing.
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