L90 "Ballena" (pronounced ba-YE-na) is a 31-year-old female Southern resident killer whale.

Early Life[]

Ballena was born in 1993 to L26 "Baba." She is her mother's fourth and final known calf. ^[1] Ballena was named after the Spanish word for "whale."^[2]

In 2011, researchers saw Ballena acting odd and in-distress. A rumour that she had been struck by a vessel, however she showed no physical wounds of a hit. A few days later, she returned to normal Researchers believe she may have been ill or close to giving birth. ^[3]

Ballena is known to researchers as a 'small whale', often looking lumpy and slightly mis-proportioned, a possible reason as to why she has never been seen with a calf until 2024.

She and her calf, L128, are currently the last living member of their family. Before Ballena had L128, she spent most of her time with either the L47 or L55 family groups. ^[2]

Dyes Inlet[]

Ballena, her mother Baba, her siblings L60 "Rascal" and L71 "Hugo," and Rascal's two calves L81 "Raina" and L92 "Crewser" were part of a group of L pod whales that ventured into Dyes Inlet during October of 1997. The whales, believed to be frightened by a bridge passing over their exit, remained in the inlet for a month. Though all the whales eventually left the inlet, it took a toll on their health and several of them died shortly after their ordeal. Raina was one of the whales who died shortly after leaving the inlet. ^{[4] [5]}

Calves[]

Ballena gave birth to her first known calf, L128, in September 2024 at 31 years old. L128 is the first documented calf to be born in the L26 matriline since 1995.

On September 15, 2024 Ballena was observed with a new calf, just a few days old, along the west side of San Juan Island. The pair was documented alone, with no other whales in the vicinity. They were observed again on September 16, 2024, still on their own, in Haro Strait.

Center for Whale Research stated on September 16, 2024, "We got both distant Orca Survey photos and Aerial Observation footage. Mom (L90) looks physically robust at the moment, but more detailed data will be obtained from SR3. The calf (L128) is VERY new; it's tiny and has very clear fetal folds. Our best guess is that it was born within the last three days. We can also confirm that the calf is nursing and moving normally. We will continue monitoring mother and the calf while they are in the area." ^[6][1]

Galleries[]

• Photos of L90 Ballena
• Videos of L90 Ballena

References[]