Jan 3 - Orca mom loses another calf

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Good to be back in your email inbox this morning. Happy New Year to you. We’re grateful for our year-end break and ready to get cracking in 2025.

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NEWS

Orca famous for mourning calf loses another

An orca known internationally for tragically carrying her deceased calf for weeks has suffered another loss. The Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) J35, or Tahlequah, welcomed a baby—J61—just days before Christmas. But as the year ended, the Center for Whale Research (CWR) in Washington confirmed the calf did not survive.

The CWR said in a statement that, while the death of any SRKW calf is sad, “the death of J61 is particularly devastating” given that it was a female that could have “potentially led her own matriline.” 

In 2018, Tahlequah made global headlines when she was seen carrying her deceased calf on her head for 17 days straight. Many saw it as the whale’s way of mourning, highlighting the advanced social nature of orcas and the significance of their familial bonds. According to the CWR, Tahlequah was spotted on New Year's Day carrying J61 in the same manner as in 2018. CWR researchers will continue to monitor the whale’s behaviour. Tahlequah has birthed four calves in her life, with two males surviving—her oldest is 14 years old.

Despite this sad news, CWR confirmed another calf, named J62, was born by another orca around the same time. The calf’s sex is not yet known, nor is its mother since it is swimming with multiple females. In October, researchers estimated that there were 74 SRKWs alive.

Christmas calves struggle to survive

In 2023, J-Pod welcomed a calf days before Christmas, but much like J61, it did not live long and was reported missing by the end of January. 

Researchers say calf mortality and pregnancy loss are high among SRKWs, caused by obstacles such as increased toxin levels and a lack of nutrients in their diets. Studies have shown female SRKWs are less likely to pursue hunts when loud ship noises are nearby. There also has been an insufficient amount of Chinook salmon available—SRKWs’ food of choice. These issues lead mothers to burn more calories than they eat, making it harder to pass nutrients to their calves. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

BC property assessments released. [Enter address, find assessment]

Woe Canada: Team Canada knocked out of World Junior Hockey Championship. [TSN]

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NEWS

Capital Daily’s top 5 stories of 2024

Media outlets often publish their most-read stories at year’s end but since we took a much-appreciated rest over the holidays, we begin the new year with a quick look back at the top 5 stories based on digital page views from our loyal readers. 

No. 5: Against her will
Kirsten Anvik, a single mother in her 50s, remains involuntarily detained under BC’s Mental Health Act. Each month, she undergoes the doctor-prescribed needle, taking a shot of medicine she believes does more harm than good. 

No. 4: Victoria MLA in hot seat after critical report at MCFD
According to the No Time to Wait report released in July, four in five social workers employed in the BC child welfare system say they can’t properly do their jobs because their caseloads are too high. Grace Lore, the Victoria-Beacon Hill representative and Children and Family Development minister said hundreds of new hires were needed. Facing a cancer diagnosis, Lore would resign in December.

No. 3: Man trapped for hours in muddy Juan de Fuca Trail clay pit
In April, Mark Junker, a 57-year-old experienced hiker, spent a couple of harrowing hours stuck up to his hips in immovable mud. What started as a weekend hike of the southern end of the Juan de Fuca Trail with his teen daughter turned into a scary afternoon as rescuers tried everything they could to rescue the North Saanich man.  

No. 2: Vancouver Island sits near dangerous section of the Cascadia fault line
A report released in June furthered seismologists’ fears about what would happen to Victoria if the “Big One” should hit. Turns out, the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) is unusual, and its southern portion—Oregon to Northern California—would experience multiple medium-magnitude quakes lasting half a minute or so. However, up here in the northern section of the CSZ, we could experience a mega-thrust quake that could last up to three minutes, level the place, and become the worst natural disaster in Canada’s history.

No. 1: Victoria’s first Canada Day drone show could be a test for the future of fireworks
In addition to fireworks, the city’s July 1 celebrations were to include a drone show component, mixing high-tech with traditional Coast Salish art. Drone light shows have been gaining popularity because they’re silent, less of a headache for pet owners and birds, and don’t leave air pollutants. Large crowds lined the Inner Harbour with many anticipating the $25K show. But then it got windy, and the drones were a no-show.  

Thank you to our Capital Daily Insiders for making these stories possible. It costs just $8.66/month to become an Insider for 2025. Become a member here. 

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🏊 Crystal Pool referendum advance voting process begins on Mon. 

🌲 Christmas tree recycling: Where to bring your tree. [Times Colonist]

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🗞️ In Other News

Home-flipping tax takes effect this week, income tax rebate to come
A maximum 20% tax will now be levied against people selling their homes within two years of buying (exemptions include divorce, job loss, or other changes in household membership). Approximately 4K homes will be affected, with revenue going toward provincial housing programs. A middle-income tax cut—promised by BC Premier David Eby during the fall election—will arrive in the coming months. The tax cut is expected to be up to $1K for households and $500 for individuals and will likely come as the province implements a carbon tax increase. [CP/ CBC]

BC girl, 13, with bird flu no longer infectious or on oxygen
The Fraser Valley teen caught H5N1 two months ago—the first human case of avian flu acquired in Canada—and for a time was in critical condition and on a respirator. The source of her flu hasn't been determined, though the province said in late November that it likely came from wild birds rather than farm poultry. BC’s commercial poultry sector has been beset by avian flu outbreaks, most recently in the Fraser Valley. [CP]

Merci Buckets: Corgi stranded at Clover Point rescued by VicPD on New Year’s Day
Spooked by fireworks, Buckets ran away from its home on New Year’s Eve. Come New Year’s morning, the pup was seen shivering on a small rock at Clover Point as the tide rose around it. Officers coaxed the nervous dog to swim to shore and brought it in to dry off at VicPD HQ while its owners, who were searching for Buckets all night, were contacted. [Victoria News]

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🗓️ Things to do

🍷 Dinner and drag: Enjoy a fabulous dinner, curated by Somewhere* A Restaurant, while local drag stars perform at Friends of Dorothy. Tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

😂 Jono Zalay: The comedian will perform his standup at Hecklers. Tomorrow. 7pm & 10pm. [Info]

🤣 Girls Night Comedy: Alex Forman hosts a night of laughs from the lasses—an evening of standup comedy featuring some of Canada's best female comedians—and prizes from Foxy Box. The Mint. Tonight. 8pm. [Info] 

🏒 WHL hockey: Victoria Royals host Everett Silvertips in first home game of the year. Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🥃 Victoria Whisky Festival: Enjoy a variety of scotch, bourbon, rye, and more at the Hotel Grand Pacific. Jan. 16-19. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Number of drug-related deaths in BC is dropping: theories on why. [Vancouver Sun]

Two Island communities are losing icy, winter days. [Times Colonist]

One person dies in Saanich condo fire. [Saanich News]

Fire destroys historic Telegraph Cove boardwalk; plans to rebuild underway. [CBC]

A stolen pickup truck speeds recklessly past Mayfair on three tires on Christmas Eve. [Facebook]

Otter goes surfing in Sooke on Sat. [CTV]

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