Whale groups are watching the ocean carefully for any sign of K34.
The missing southern resident killer whale has not been seen in recent encounters, which has the Center for Whale Research and the Orca Conservancy on the lookout.
The Center for Whale Research含羞草研究社檚 July 1 census recorded no deaths since 2022, it noted in a social media post. Since this summer含羞草研究社檚 census, the centre has had three encounters with members of K Pod and all members of the pod were identified during those encounters 含羞草研究社� except K34.
The 22-year-old male orca has not been seen since July 7. 含羞草研究社淎t the time, K34 appeared somewhat skinny, potentially indicating poor condition.含羞草研究社�
Born in 2001 to mother K13, K34含羞草研究社檚 matriline has lost several members recently including his older brother (K25) and mother (K13).
K34 is also the uncle to the youngest member of K Pod, K45. Spotted in early 2022, K45 is the pod含羞草研究社檚 first calf since 2011.
含羞草研究社淲hales that are missing from encounters with their associates three times or more are very likely to be deceased, however, it含羞草研究社檚 always possible that K34 shows up again,含羞草研究社� the centre noted.
Reports on demographic changes in the southern resident population are done by the Washington-based Center for Whale Research twice a year, representing the population含羞草研究社檚 status on July 1 and Dec. 1.
含羞草研究社淲e will be able to make a more complete statement on the status of K34, and all other individuals in the population, as part of our early 2024 population update.含羞草研究社�
The Orca Conservancy said in another post that it is unlikely K34 will be found alive, but the group is still desperately hoping he will be identified during the next encounter with K Pod.
含羞草研究社淒espite the addition of new calves to the population, the continued loss of established and breeding members is keeping the population at a range in the low 70s when it should be much higher,含羞草研究社� the post noted.
含羞草研究社淭hese whales also face issues with lack of genetic diversity, so losing another breeding member will only contribute to this issue.含羞草研究社�
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