An orca born around Christmas Day, dubbed J60, who dazzled beachgoers on Bainbridge Island’s shores is now presumed dead, according to researchers. Last week, the Center for Whale Research saw the J pod of the endangered southern resident orcas traveling and socializing in San Juan Channel. The only whale missing was J60. Survivorship among the youngest southern resident orcas is quite low, said Michael Weiss, research director of the nonprofit. It’s hard to know how low because there are likely calves that are born and die before researchers see them. Weiss estimates about half of the calves born to the southern residents don’t survive to adulthood. Read more at the link in our bio. 📸: Maya Sears/NMFS Permit 27052/Center for Whale Research/TNS #orcawhale #orcacalf #seattle #washington #jpod #seattletimes #theoregonian