Biologists weigh options to save ailing orca

SEATTLE — Federal biologists are weighing a range of emergency options to save an emaciated endangered orca including possibly feeding it live salmon at sea dosed with medication.

Whale researchers are worried about the survival of the four-yearold female orca known as J50, a member of the dwindling population of southern resident killer whales that spends summer months in the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia.

Another female orca from the group of just 75 animals, known as J35, has attracted global attention over the past week as she has tried to keep her dead calf’s body afloat while swimming kilometres.

Individual whales are identified by unique markings or variations in their fin shapes, and each whale is given a number and name.

Federal biologists are weighing whether and how to intervene for the young female. The options range from doing nothing to using a boat to give the orca supplemental fish to increase her hydration and nutrition.

“Everything is on the table. We’re working on every possibility to help,” said Michael Milstein, a spokesman with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, the agency responsible for protecting marine mammals in the U.S. “The feeling is it’s quite urgent given the whale’s condition.”