Puget Sound "Baby Boom" Orca Dies

SEATTLE, WA - While many had high hopes for the "baby boom" of killer whales in 2014, three of the six born that year have died. The latest may have died from malnutrition, as researchers said the 2 1/2-year-old whale exhibited signs of peanut-head syndrome.

"His obligatory nursing ended more than a year ago, and his life was dependent upon salmon that have become in short supply this summer," a statement from the Center For Whale Research said. "The observation of this sad event was at sunset, and the young whale appeared very lethargic while barely surfacing as the two adults were swimming around in circles and not feeding while attentive to the young whale."

The mother of the whale doesn't appear to be emaciated, but researchers said she is "lean" and "distressed."

"Yes, these animals do exhibit emotion, and death of an offspring brings it on," the organization's statement said.

There have been no successful births in 2017, researchers noted. It's necessary for these populations to have a year-round food supply to survive. The organization warns that if concerted efforts to increase and sustain the Chinook salmon population - which killer whales feed on - aren't taken, these marine animals could soon become extinct.

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Image via Creative Commons