Oct 7 - J-Pod gains new member after recent loss

Good morning !

There’s been no shortage of bad news about the state of the Southern Resident killer whale population, but today we’re happy to share some good news. While not all calves make it to adulthood, there has been a small baby boom for J-Pod over the last year. Check out our first story to learn more.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 15 / 9

Tomorrow: ⛅ 13 / 9

Day after: 🌤️ 15 / 11

7-day forecast

NEWS

Newborn Southern Resident killer whale calf confirmed in the Georgia Strait

There’s a new orca in town. Less than two weeks after J-Pod lost a newborn calf, another was spotted by the Center for Whale Research (CWR) in Washington state on Sept. 23. 

It’s the fifth calf born to J Pod—part of the vulnerable Southern Resident killer whale population—in the last year, and one of three to survive. With the new addition, there are now 74 Southern Resident killer whales living in the wild.

The calf’s mother is likely J42, according to CWR, as she was recorded looking “a little wide in the middle” during the researchers’ Sept. 12 encounter with the pod. J64 stayed close to J42 and J42’s mother, J16. The calf was consistently traveling alongside its mother, exhibiting surfacing patterns indicative of nursing. 

How’s the calf doing? A little “lumpy” but “well-integrated” into the pod, says CWR.

“The calf is still very lumpy, but this is normal given its young age,” CWR’s report reads. “As always, our optimism for this calf is cautious: the first year, especially the early days, is difficult for southern resident calves.”

The researchers say this is J42’s first calf and time will tell if she’ll be a “successful” mother. They will be monitoring the mother and baby closely to identify any health issues.

New hope weeks after grief

On Sept. 12, J36 was seen pushing the dead body of her newborn calf. This grieving behaviour is well documented in J-Pod—J35 (AKA Tahlequah) was recorded pushing her dead calf on two occasions: once in 2018, when she pushed her offspring’s body for a record 17 straight days, and again earlier this year when she pushed her dead calf for 11 days.

Researchers confirmed that J36’s deceased calf was female—a devastating loss for the matrilineal creatures, whose family dynamics are determined by mothers and grandmothers. 

“J36 was trying to head south while pushing a dead calf,” read CWR’s Sept. 12 encounter report. “The calf repeatedly slipped off her nose, and she would have to turn around to pick it back up before it sank.”

Researchers say the calf was extremely young and may have died within days of birth or was stillborn.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Overnight road closures: Tolmie, from Oak to Alder, and Blanshard, from Cloverdale to Finlayson, will close from 6:30pm-7am tonight through to Friday. [City of Vic]

Fisgard closed at Government all week for Chinatown gate repairs. [City of Vic]

Saanich construction: Tillicum at Gorge West, single-lane traffic for water pipe repair until Friday. 

Saanich road closure for storm drain work on Roy (Wilkinson to Carey) through Dec. 5.

Cannabis edibles recalled: Sensi Brands Ltd. is recalling its wintermint and cinnamon Chillows cannabis extract due to incorrect THC content. [Gov’t of Canada]

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

No playing around: Toy museum reopens

Two years in the making and two-and-a-half months before Christmas, the National Toy Museum of Canada has reopened in downtown Victoria. 

The non-profit museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of toys of all sorts.

“Toys have a way of bringing people together—they spark memories, inspire creativity, and tell stories about our shared past,” says Candice Woodward, a museum society member.

“We’re so excited to finally open our doors and share this collection with the community.”

Until 2023, the museum was housed in a smaller space on the mezzanine level of Cherry Bomb Toys' former location on Broad, just a couple of blocks from the new digs—again with Cherry Bomb Toys—at 719 Yates, near Douglas. 

If you’re a toy boy, game girl or doll doll, there’s a good chance you’ll spot something that brings a smile within the museum’s exhibits.

The non-profit museum houses highlight action figures, board games, dolls, and “rare pieces that you don’t see very often,” it said.

“Visitors can explore themed displays that trace the evolution of play across generations, including both well-known classics and unique, hard-to-find treasures,” the museum said.

If you go, the museum society asks that you not whip out our phone to take any snapshots.
“Our goal is to create a space where guests can truly unplug, slow down, and immerse themselves in the joy and history of toys without distractions,” said society member B. Woodward.

The grand opening is this weekend, beginning Friday and will feature giveaways, a silent auction and scavenger hunts.

The museum is always looking for donations, financially, or of old toys, games or dolls.

Regular hours are 11am to 5pm Monday to Sunday, and is fully wheelchair accessible. 

SPONSORED BY 1UP VICTORIA SINGLE PARENT RESOURCE CENTRE

1Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre: Building Hope for Single Parents, One Family at a Time

Raising children alone can be overwhelming. Between skyrocketing housing costs, juggling childcare, and trying to put food on the table, single parents in Greater Victoria often face impossible choices. For more than 40 years, 1Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre has been standing beside them, offering not only practical resources, but also compassion, community, and hope.

At 1Up, parents find more than a thrift store or a drop-in centre, they find connection. Whether it’s a workshop on budgeting, a mentor who’s walked the same path, or simply a warm cup of coffee and someone who listens, the centre helps families feel less isolated and more Empowered.

One parent described 1Up as “a place where I finally felt seen. I went from struggling alone to knowing I had a village behind me.” That sense of belonging can make all the difference for families working toward stability and brighter futures.

And now, the community has a unique opportunity to make its support go twice as far. An anonymous donor has stepped forward to match every donation made between September 25 and November 30, dollar for dollar for up to $25,000.That means every gift, big or small, will have double the impact on local solo parent families who need it most.

In a city where the cost of living can push parents to the breaking point, 1Up offers a lifeline. With community support, that lifeline can be stronger than ever.

Empower single parent families to thrive by donating today.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🎃⛺ Trick-or-Treat rec passes for summer camp. [City of Victoria]

🏠 Housing in Greater Victoria has been graded a "D" in 2025. Curious to see the other grades and insights? Read the 20th anniversary edition of Victoria's Vital Signs today!*

🦉 Great horned owl watches the sunset in Summit Park. [Facebook video]

🎯 Prepare today so you can lead tomorrow. Grow your career with relevant topics, expert-led courses and employer-valued skills with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

👩‍💻 Glow Integrative is offering a four-part virtual series on perimenopause and menopause, exploring symptoms, HRT, pelvic health, nutrition, movement, and stress management starting October 9.*

🧯Fire Prevention Week. [Oct. 5-11]

^{*Sponsored Listing}

🗞️ In Other News

Island family pushes for ‘Xavier’s Law’ after son was killed by reckless driver
Two months ago, 12-year-old Xavier Rasul-Jankovics was inline skating on a country road near Shawnigan Lake when he was struck and killed by a vehicle his older brother describes as being “out of control.” The impact sent Xavier hurdling through the air as the car, driven by a 17-year-old, slammed into a tree. Last Wednesday, the boy’s parents spoke with Premier David Eby to urge the province to support what they’re calling Xavier’s Law—a law that would keep drivers who kill people off the road until charges are laid and heard in court. The is modelled after Andrew’s Law, a similar proposal in honour of Andrew Cristillo, who also was hit and killed on an Ontario roadway [Times Colonist] 

Submarine surfaces in Esquimalt after 2-month voyage
Concluding its first deployment in seven years, HMCS Corner Brook made its way back into port and returned submariners back to the surface. The Victoria-class submarine was patrolling the Northern Pacific and Arctic approaches in a mission focused on boosting Canada’s presence in the North and strengthening cooperation with American forces. The Corner Brook was bought from the UK in 1998 and is one of four Victoria-class subs in Canada’s fleet. That class is due to be replaced by a dozen new patrol subs within this decade. [Black Press]

EV charging cables cut, stolen from 3 Westshore locations
Someone tried to use the cover of late night by hitting the charging stations between midnight and 3am last Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. EV charging cords were either stolen or cut at the Peninsula Co-op Gas Station on West Shore Parkway, a Shell gas station in Langford, and the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre in Colwood, which was targeted twice. The damage is substantial and in the thousands of dollars, police said. They have video of the suspect and their SUV. [RCMP]

SPONSORED BY THE CANADIAN CLUB OF VICTORIA

The Canadian Club of Victoria's October Speaker - Bill Riggs C.E.O. of the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue Volunteers

Since 2020, as CEO of RCMSAR, Bill has led a small headquarters team in East Sooke and supports more than 950 dedicated volunteers serving at 31 search and rescue stations along BC’s coast and in the Shuswap.

Join us on Tuesday, October 14th from 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM at The Hotel Grand Pacific (463 Belleville Street).

Deadline for registration is Friday, October 10th - noon. Details here. Non-members are welcome!

🗓️ Things To Do

🛍️ 2nd Degree Vintage UVic Market: Shop thousands of curated vintage clothing pieces from 30+ vendors at the Michele Pujol Room, Student Union Building, UVic. Today-Fri. 10am-6pm daily. [Info]

🏀 Island Hoops Indoor Drop-In Basketball: Join this adult drop-in basketball session at Naden Athletic Centre tonight. 6pm-9pm. [Info]

📚 Book Launch: Lorne Daniel and Joanna Streetly: Celebrate new poetry collections from local writers with readings, author meet-and-greets, and refreshments at this free event at KWENCH Kanteen today. 7-8:30pm. [Info]

🎸 Blue Rodeo: The legendary country rockers will take the stage at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, celebrating 40 years of music. Thu. 7pm. [Info]

🧛 Universal Horrors: Broken Rhythms Victoria Society interprets iconic movie moments from classic horror films at Metro Studio Theatre. Fri. & Sat. 7:30pm. [Info]

🧠 MOVE for Mental Health: A live music celebration for World Mental-Health Day to dance away the blues at Sizzling Tandoor. Fri. 7pm-10pm. [Info]

🧙 Witch Perfect: RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Tina Burner, Scarlett Envy, and Alexis Michelle will take on the iconic trio from Hocus Pocus in this parody show at the McPherson Playhouse. Sat. 8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday’s headlines: Team effort delivers Inner Harbour baby; Weekly roundup; UVic gets funding for more on-campus housing. [Oct. 5]

Former CHEK anchor Mike Walker dies of cancer. [Times Colonist]

Empty in Victoria: As many as 350 new condos. [CHEK]

BC legislature resumes sitting with 4 official parties now. [CTV / CP]

Water main flushing in Langford runs until Dec. 19. Low pressure and discoloured water may occur; both are temporary and not harmful. [CRD]

Nature’s tightrope: See a snail cling to a branch on Pender Island. [Facebook photos]

Orca spa day: Northern Resident killer whales exfoliate on Strider Rubbing Beach. [Facebook video]

That’s it!

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