New Year鈥檚 Eve brought mixed emotions of bittersweet lows and promising highs for researchers and whale enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest. 

Shortly after the birth of a new calf in J pod was confirmed, the good news was overshadowed by the loss of .

The new calf, identified as J62, was first spotted travelling with members of the pod on Dec. 30. Researchers confirmed the newborn鈥檚 presence on Dec. 31. They stated it appeared physically and behaviourally healthy. 

Observations are ongoing to identify the mother and determine the calf鈥檚 sex.

However, researchers also confirmed the death of J61, a female calf born earlier in 2024. The loss is particularly devastating, noted researchers in a .

鈥淭he death of any calf in the Southern Resident Killer Whale population is a tremendous loss,鈥� reads the post. 鈥淭he death of J61 is particularly devastating鈥� because she was a female, who could have one day potentially led her own matriline.鈥�

J61鈥檚 mother, J35, has now lost two of her four documented calves, both females, further highlighting the group's fragile population.

The U.S.-based Center for Whale Research expressed sadness over the loss, stressing the importance of continued monitoring and conservation efforts for this endangered population, which counts fewer than 80 individuals.

Updates will be shared as conditions allow, concluded the Facebook post.