NOAA's emergency plan could help save starving J-pod orca
SEATTLE - Emergency plans are being made to prevent another death among the critically endangered J-pod orcas.
It's the same pod in which a grieving mother continues to carry her dead calf for more than a week.
NOAA researchers told KOMO News they have been monitoring another 4-year-old juvenile female known as J50, who they say is starving and in poor condition.
"You can see a depression behind her blowhole. So we've been doing observations of her behavior, of her body condition and trying to collect samples," said Lynne Barre, Recovery Coordinator for Southern Resident Killer Whales for NOAA Fisheries told KOMO.
According to the Seattle Times, NOAA may try an 'outside the box' approach to improve the ailing whale's health, which would include using live salmon dosed with medicine.
"There's a plan being developed to look at whether it would be possible to use Chinook salmon to administer medication," said Barre.
Barre said that option would need approval from NOAA headquarters in Washington, D.C. and then they would need to find her. Researchers last saw the J-pod heading west out of the Straight of Juan de Fuca, but they don't know if J-50 was with the group.
Barre said their researchers and veterinaries are meeting in the next few days to to figure out the next steps, but the Seattle Times reports J50 may only have days to live.
"We're gathering as much information to know how we might be able to help her," said Barre.
She's asking boaters to keep their distance from the orcas, especially the J-pod so researchers and veterinarians can do the work they need to do.
The Orca Networks says there are just 75 Orcas left, down from 98 in 1995. It's lowest number in 30 years.
Scientists claim several factors including, dwindling Chinook Salmon runs, toxins and vessel noise are taking a toll on orca health.
In March, Governor Jay Inlsee signed an executive order directing state agencies to take immediate and longer-term steps to protect the struggling whales.