Apparent new orca calf spotted in endangered pod near British Columbia

SEATTLE (AP) — Scientists say a new calf has apparently been born to a pod of endangered killer whales in the Pacific Northwest. The Center for Whale Research announced the baby orca Friday, saying photos show what appears to be a new calf in L pod near Tofino, British Columbia. Officials say the baby appears to be more than three weeks old and would be the first new calf in the pod since 2021. Officials said researchers will need to conduct on-the-water encounters with the pod to determine the calf’s mother, assess the baby’s health and assign it an alphanumeric designation. If confirmed, the total population of the orca community known as the southern residents would rise to 74.