Tahlequah Birthed a Rainbow Baby and Other Animal News

Famous Killer Whale Births Another Calf

Famous orca Tahlequah just gave birth to her second calf within the last four years, ushering in a glimmer of hope during the holiday season. In 2018, Tahlequah birthed a calf that died in infancy. Low food availability led to its death, and Tahlequah was devastated. The killer whale carried her offspring’s carcass on her head for nearly 1,000 miles for more than two weeks. While she let her calf go after it began to decompose, her grief was evident and had a lasting effect on people across the globe.

This week, Tahlequah gave birth to her second calf. Scientists are watching her closely, hoping the calf survives past the first year of elevated mortality rates. The newborn will not be Tahlequah’s first calf to survive. The orca has birthed two other killer whales named Notch and Phoenix. Tahlequah and her children live in a pod off the Washington state coast.

According to observances of Tahlequah’s pod, killer whale population numbers are declining. The decline has obliged authorities to take swift action against population decline and in support of conservation. The Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force, founded by Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, works toward preserving nearby killer whale populations. Find out more about orca conservation here.

Pet Food Recalled After Cat Dies Due to Bird Flu Contamination

A cat in Oregon recently died after consuming pet food contaminated with bird flu. One veterinarian believed the cat received the virus from Northwest Naturals Food, a popular organic pet food company. After testing the pet food, scientists found that the cat’s virus matched one in Northwest Naturals. The food has since been recalled, a decision reiterated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture through a public notice.

No human cases of bird flu have resulted from the Northwest Naturals contamination. However, other instances of severe bird flu have been reported elsewhere in the U.S. In Louisiana, one human patient was hospitalized after exposure. Along the West Coast, bird flu has plagued dairy farms throughout California. Find out more about the spread of bird flu here.  

Water Vole Populations in Decline Across the United Kingdom

According to a recent report by the Wildlife Trust, water vole populations are severely declining throughout the UK. Their distribution has decreased by 39% in the last two decades, meaning the animals occupy less natural space in 2024 than in 2006. Factors threatening water vole populations include habitat loss and invasive species like the American mink.

One Wildlife Trust project seeks to mitigate the decline of the water vole population by reintroducing them to aquatic habitats. Between 2016 and 2021, the Restoring Ratty project released approximately 2,000 water voles into their natural habitats. Fortunately, some populations have steadily increased, demonstrating a potential rise in population numbers as water voles are reintroduced to their habitats.