Researchers 'cautiously optimistic' about ill Southern Resident Orca

A few months out from what Washington Gov. Jay Inslee dubbed "the year of the orca" and more good news has come the way of the southern residents.

After announcing the successful birth of a new baby orca earlier this year, researchers at the Center for Whale Research observed that J17's condition appears to be improving.

J17 was one of the two orcas who have been observed as sick in recent months. Photos taken of J17 on New Year's Eve showed that the 42-year-old whale has what's known as "peanut head," a depression at the base of her skull that can indicate severe fat loss and malnutrition.

Despite the government shutdown, marine mammal biologists, veterinarians and other experts made a plan to continue assessing the health conditions of J17 and the other ailing orca, K25.

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/environment/article/Researchers-J17-whale-orca-southern-resident-CWR-13717827.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailynewsletterspi&utm_term=spi