Authorities Declare the Ailing Orca, Scarlet as Dead

In the present day, sometimes due to pollution and at other times due to accidents etc. the marine animals often lose their lives. Since the last one month the authorities are making efforts in order to save a young, ailing orca (Orcinus orca) named Scarlet, or J50. Scarlet is a 3-year-old female who was part of the J pod. It is currently being presumed that Scarlet is dead as all efforts for searching scarlet have been in vain so far.

Scarlet’s death is also clearly reflective of the decrease in the subpopulation of endangered southern resident killer whales. Presently the subpopulation only includes 74 individuals. In about 1955, this figure was nearly 98. The J pod also includes J35, or Tahlequah, a female whose calf died a half-hour after it was born on July 24. Scarlet’s health was under close monitoring since August. Biologists and veterinarians in Washington and Canada let no stone unturned to ensure Scarlet’s good health. A number of tests were also conducted for the same as and when the weather conditions were found suitable. Alongside even the fishermen with the Lummi Nation, a Native American tribe in western Washington, made adequate efforts to feed Scarlet fresh salmon by delivering the live fish through a tube placed in the water and pointed in her general direction. They aren’t sure whether Scarlet has consumed the same or not, but in case if she consumed those even then her health was clearly on a decline. On Sept. 12, NOAA announced that it was formulating a plan to capture Scarlet and bring her into captivity for rehabilitation. But before any of these rescue plans could be implemented, Scarlet just disappeared. The authorities have no choice but to believe that Scarlet is dead now. Her body was too thin to survive and at the same time too blabber to easily sink down the waters. The orca deaths have also reinvigorated petitions to remove dams. The removal of dams shall help to revive salmon populations and replenish the orcas' main food source. Further even the American and Canadian negotiators have now agreed to renew the Pacific Salmon Treaty. This treaty shall govern salmon harvest and research throughout the Pacific Northwest region. A number of not for profit wildlife and environmental organizations and groups in Washington have also been working on the same lines

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://www.livescience.com/63662-ailing-orca-dead.html