Mother orca Tahlequah who once carried dead calf 1,000 miles in 2018 is grieving the loss of another newborn | CNN

CNN - Jan 7th, 2025

Tahlequah, an orca known for her poignant display of grief in 2018, is once again mourning a deceased calf. Researchers confirmed that her newborn calf, J61, was found dead by New Year’s Eve, and Tahlequah continues to carry the calf's body. This behavior underscores the strong mother-calf bond in orcas and raises concerns about the physical and emotional toll on Tahlequah, especially given the Southern Resident orca population’s critical endangerment status, with only 73 individuals remaining as of 2019.

The loss of J61 is particularly tragic for the species’ future, as female calves are crucial for reproduction. The Southern Resident orcas face numerous challenges, including pollution, inbreeding, and a declining Chinook salmon population, leading to a high rate of unsuccessful pregnancies. Tahlequah's behavior highlights these issues and the dire situation for the orca population. Researchers are monitoring her condition, as carrying the calf could impede her ability to forage, though support from her pod may mitigate some risks.

Endangered Species Noaa Tahlequah J35 J61 Southern Resident Orcas Michael Weiss Brad Hanson Orca Mourning Puget Sound

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article offers an insightful and touching narrative of Tahlequah, an orca mother displaying profound grief, and the broader challenges faced by the Southern Resident orca population. Its strengths lie in its emotional engagement and the detailed context provided about the plight of the orcas. However, the article could be enhanced by incorporating more diverse perspectives and ensuring greater transparency regarding data sources and methodologies. The language is clear and emotive, successfully engaging readers, but additional sources and viewpoints could enrich the narrative and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issues discussed.

Accuracy

The article appears to provide accurate and verifiable information about Tahlequah and the broader challenges faced by the Southern Resident orca population. It cites specific dates, such as when the calf was first spotted and confirmed dead, and includes expert input from Dr. Michael Weiss and Dr. Brad Hanson. These details, along with the mention of the declining population numbers from 2019, lend credibility to the article. However, while the article references challenges such as pollutants and lack of Chinook salmon, these claims would benefit from more detailed data or studies to substantiate them. The mention of Tahlequah's previous behavior with her deceased calf is well-documented, reinforcing the article's accuracy.

Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of researchers and experts like Weiss and Hanson, which is valuable but limits the range of viewpoints. It focuses on the emotional aspect of Tahlequah's behavior and the scientific observations of orca social structures. While it briefly mentions the broader environmental challenges affecting orcas, it does not deeply explore opposing views or the role of human activities in these challenges. Including perspectives from conservationists, policymakers, or other stakeholders could offer a more balanced view and address potential biases. The emotional narrative might overshadow other critical factors impacting the orca population.

Clarity

The article is well-written and structured, making it easy for readers to follow the story of Tahlequah and her calf. The language is clear and emotive, effectively conveying the emotional depth of the orca's grief. Quotes from experts are seamlessly integrated, providing context and expert opinions without detracting from the narrative. The article maintains a professional tone throughout, avoiding overly technical language that might confuse readers. However, while the emotional language engages readers, it occasionally risks overshadowing more technical or scientific explanations that could enhance understanding.

Source quality

The article primarily relies on credible sources such as Dr. Michael Weiss and Dr. Brad Hanson, who are reputable figures in orca research. The NOAA and the Center for Whale Research are also authoritative sources, enhancing the article's reliability. However, the article does not provide direct links or references to specific studies or data supporting claims about the orca population's decline or the environmental factors impacting them. Incorporating a wider variety of sources, including peer-reviewed research or official reports, would improve the source quality and provide readers with avenues to explore the topic further.

Transparency

The article provides a narrative that is engaging and informative, yet it lacks transparency in certain areas. It does not sufficiently disclose the methodologies or data underlying claims about the orca population's status or the factors affecting their survival. Readers are left without clear insights into how conclusions were drawn or the potential limitations of the information presented. Additionally, there is no disclosure of any affiliations or potential conflicts of interest related to the experts cited. Greater transparency in these areas would strengthen the article's credibility and allow readers to critically assess the information.