FRIDAY HARBOR, WA – (MyBellinghamNow.com) Whale researchers say a recent addition to the Southern Resident Orca population may not have survived past its first month of life.

The Center for Whale Research says that some of their team members were unable to spot the calf, named J60, during the most recent J-Pod sighting on Saturday in the San Juan Channel. J60 was first observed travelling with the J-Pod a few days after Christmas. The sighting report released by the Center details the pod’s travel route and behavior, mentioning all orcas in the pod were photographed except J60.

Orca calves have a higher mortality rate within their first few months of life due to a combination of factors, including toxin exposure from the calf’s mother during feeding.

No other whales were observed to be visibly pregnant or travelling alongside another calf.