More information has been released about the new orca calf spotted with a family of B.C.'s endangered southern resident killer whales.

The new calf, first seen travelling with the group known as J pod on Dec. 20, has been confirmed to be female and assigned the alpha-numeric designation J61.

Observations of the new calf on Dec. 23 also allowed researchers to 91裸聊视频渕ore confidently assign91裸聊视频� the new calf91裸聊视频檚 mother as J35 Tahlequah, said the Centre for Whale Research in a news release.

However, based on the behaviour of the calf and its mother, the Washington State-based organization says researchers have "expressed concern" about the calf91裸聊视频檚 health.

Further information shared by Orca Conservancy, a U.S.-based organization working to help recover the critically endangered southern resident killer whale population, has revealed the calf is believed to be premature.

91裸聊视频淭he calf had also been observed being pushed around on J3591裸聊视频檚 head and was not looking lively, which is a concern," said Orca Conservancy in a social media post, which also noted calf behaviour is not "fully understood."

Orca Conservancy also reported the calf was observed remaining underwater for extended amounts of time indicating nursing or attempts to nurse.

But according to the organization, J35 had "appeared in subnormal body condition" in October, raising questions about her ability to successfully nurse a calf.

91裸聊视频淚deally mothers need to be robust with ample fat storage to help with the demands of lactation,91裸聊视频� said Orca Conservancy.

While the calf mortality rate of southern resident killer whales is 50 per cent, the Centre for Whale Research is hopeful J35's success with two previous calves (J47 and J57), will bode well for J61.

91裸聊视频淛35 is an experienced mother, and we hope that she is able to keep J61 alive through these difficult early days," it said.

The Centre for Whale Research has said they are eager to conduct follow-up observations of the calf91裸聊视频檚 behaviour and physical condition when possible.

When it was first spotted, news of the J61 was "cautiously" welcomed, bringing some optimism to the future of the southern residents, who have seen numbers drop to their lowest point since 2020.

It was reported in November the southern resident killer whale population had dropped to 72 after an adult male orca and a calf were both listed as missing, presumed dead.