‘Emaciated’ killer whale given dose of antibiotics

PORTLAND, ORE. — Biologists have managed to administer what they believe is a full dose of antibiotics to an emaciated killer whale in the waters off B.C.

Michael Millstein with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Portland, Ore., says the female southern resident killer whale was spotted Monday and researchers were able to deliver a dart filled with the potentially life-saving medication.

“Martin Haulena, the veterinarian from Vancouver Aquarium who administered it, believes that most of the dose was delivered,” Millstein said.

He said the first time a dart was used to deliver medication to the animal in early August, Haulena suspected it fell out before releasing a full dose.

The nearly four-year-old orca, known as J-50, is staying close to her mother and is active as the pod of whales moves toward the mouth of the Fraser River, where they are expected to continue foraging for salmon.

“The teams did remark on just how emaciated J-50 is,” Millstein said.

J-50 has often lagged far behind other members of the pod as it travels through coastal waters from B.C. to California and back. Concern that the young whale was dead rose over the long weekend when she wasn’t seen between Victoria and Seattle.

J-50’s death would further devastate the dwindling southern resident population, where only 75 orcas remain.

In May, federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said the species faces imminent threats to survival and recovery, and the chinook fishery off B.C. was limited in an effort to increase the main food source.