This mother orca experienced unspeakable heartbreak as she said goodbye to her newborn calf.
Tahlequah had been carrying her baby through 1,000 miles of sweltering ocean waves, refusing to let her baby go.
Her calf had passed away from unknown causes just 30 minutes after its birth, but the mum could not move on without her.
The 20-year-old whale gave birth in the frigid waters off of Victoria, British Columbia last month before she began her tragic trek.
Carefully, Tahlequah lifted her newborn towards the surface stretching her head upwards with hopes that it would resume its baby breaths.
Each time the calf slid from her hold, she would dive deep into the ocean’s depths to retrieve and return him to the surface.
It took 17 days for this mama’s hope to fade, realising that her little one was gone.
Ken Balcomb, senior scientist with the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island, had been observing the Tahlequah and her calf.
The mother, he knew as J35, is part of the critically endangered southern-resident, killer-whale population.
Since her son’s birth in 2010, Ken told The Seattle Times that she has most likely lost two other calves prior to last month’s loss.
It seems Tahlequah could not cope with losing yet another child, consumed by denial and overwhelming grief.
Although it is a tragedy for the mother whale and for the endangered species, Tahlequah seems to have finally attained resolution and has been able to move on.
Ken said, “She is alive and well and at least over that part of her grief. Today was the first day that I for sure saw her. It is no longer there.”
Their orca species has been threatened by low food source (Chinook Salmon), pollutions, and boat disturbance, leaving a total of 75 orca in the southern waters.
Ken continues to raise awareness of these unsuitable conditions and hopes to find a solution for their depleted food source soon.
