A new orca calf, J64, was spotted in Washington state, offering hope for the endangered southern resident orca population.

A newborn orca calf, believed to be J64, was spotted in Saratoga Passage near Whidbey Island on September 19, 2025, offering hope for the endangered southern resident orca population. The calf, born to J42 “Echo,” was seen with her mother and brother, who helped during the birth, a behavior observed in past deliveries. Echo’s sister, J36 “Alki,” recently lost her calf but was seen rejoining the group. The southern resident orcas, including J, K, and L pods, remain critically endangered, with 75 individuals counted as of September 18, 2025. Their survival depends on declining Chinook salmon and is threatened by environmental stressors, making each new calf a significant milestone for conservation efforts.