Official orca census: 81 whales, including 4 babies

[sue4e3]

http://my.xfinity.com/articles/news-science/20150723/US--Orca.Census/

--Orca.Census
In this July 5, 2015 photo provided by the Pacific Whale Watch Association ...
SEATTLE (AP) — The annual July tally of endangered orcas is complete, and researchers have counted 81 whales, including four babies born since last winter.

Researchers tracking the southern resident killer whales have photo confirmation of each whale and nobody is missing, said Ken Balcomb, a senior scientist with the Center for Whale Research who keeps the official census of Puget Sound killer whales for the federal government. "They're all here."

The orcas that frequent the inland Washington waters are identified by unique black and white markings or variations in their fin shapes.

It's good news that the four baby orcas — one female and three males — have survived so far, Balcomb said.

"We're excited. They passed the dangerous part," he said. The survival rate for babies is about 50 percent.

[RandySF]

1. The orcas are VERY busy right now along Norcal

We are getting one report after another of baby grey whales washing up with no heads. Scientists believe that Orca moms are teaching their calves to hunt, and they are doing so while not even bothering to eat the prey *shiver*.

[sue4e3]

2. glad I'm not there to see it

[cilla4progress]

3. I think I heard that

81 is a fairly low number ... due to pollution, for one thing.