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January 01, 2015 - 5:00 AM
VANCOUVER - Scientists say a killer whale calf has been born to an endangered population of orcas off B.C.'s coast.
The Center for Whale Research in Washington state has confirmed the birth of a new orca in the J pod of the so-called southern resident killer whale population.
The newborn is being called J-50 and was seen swimming alongside its mother, identified as J-16, on Tuesday.
Whale watchers in Victoria say people are ecstatic after a pregnant female orca in the same pod, identified as J-32, recently died.
Whale enthusiasts were devastated after the death, calling it a huge blow to the dwindling southern resident population.
With the new addition, there are now 78 of the endangered whales in the waters of B.C. and Washington state.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2015