The federal government is marshaling an emergency response for J50, the starving 4-year-old orca whale, which will include feeding live chinook – dosed with medicine – to the ailing animal who may only have days to live.
The young whale is so emaciated, the back of her cranium is visible. A worrisome white patch has also been spotted on the back of her head, near her blowhole. It could be an infection.
The crisis comes as another member of the southern-resident orcas is clinging to her dead calf for a 10th day, unwilling to let it go. The calf born July 24 lived for only half an hour. Now officials are racing to put together a plan to prevent another death in the critically endangered whale clan.
We the undersigned ask that NOAA approve continued treatment for J50 so she can survive and eventually return to the wild. Orca numbers are dwindling, and they could become endangered.
