J35 Tahlequah

***This article contains imagery of a deceased animal. Viewer discretion is advised.***

## Tahlequah

J25 Tahlequah. Photo provided by Tasli Shaw.

### Latest Sighting

November 9th, 2023
South of Constance Bank

## Family

### Calves

**J47 "Notch"**, ***Tahlequah's Calf (2018)***, **J57 "Phoenix"**

### Half-Siblings

***J28 "Polaris"***, *L95 “Nigel”*, *J34 “Doublestuf”*, J36 “Alki”, K33 ”Tika”, J37 “Hy’Shqa”, K34 “Cali”, *L100 “Indigo”*, *L101 “Aurora”*, K35 “Sonata”, K36 “Yoda”, J40 “Suttles”, L106 “Pooka”, K42 “Kelp”, J45 “Se-Yi’-Chn”, *L112 “Sooke“*, L116 “Finn”, L117 “Keta”, *J28 Polaris’ Calf (2013)*, *J50 "Scarlet"*

### Aunts & Uncles

*L10 "Okum"*, ***J10 "Tahoma"***, ***J13***, *L42 "Mozart"*, *L64 "Radar"*, L77 "Matia", L94 "Calypso"

### Nieces & Nephews

**J46 "Star"**, J49 "T'ilem l’nges", ***J28 Polaris' Calf (2013)***, *J52 "Sonic"*, ***J54 "Dipper"***, J59 "Sxwyeqólh"

### Cousins

***J18 "Everett"***, ***J20 "Ewok"***, **J22 "Oreo"**, ***J32 "Rhapsody"***, ***J34 "Doublestuf"***, **J38 "Cookie"**, L113 "Cousteau", *L114 "Capella"*, L119 "Joy", L121 "Windsong", ***J22 Oreo's Calf (2016)***, L124 "Whistle", L126 "Ken", L127 "Scuba"

J35 "Tahlequah" *(pronounced tah-le-KWAH)* is a 25-year-old female Southern resident killer whale. She is the matriarch of the J17 matriline. Tahlequah made international headlines in 2018 when she carried the body of her deceased daughter for 17 days.

## Early Life

Tahlequah was born in 1998 to J17 "Princess Angeline". She was Princess Angeline's second calf. Her older sister, J28 "Polaris", was 5 years old. In February of 2009, Tahlequah's little brother, J44 "Moby," was born. Only a few months later in November, Polaris had her first daughter, J46 "Star." It wouldn't be long before Tahlequah herself had her first calf, J47 "Notch." The three young calves grew up together. In 2013, Polaris gave birth again, but the female calf was a stillborn. In October of 2015, Tahlequah's little sister, J53 "Kiki," was born. Only two months later. in December 2015, Polaris gave birth to her first son, J54 "Dipper."

In January of 2016, Polaris began to lose weight, likely from birth complications. Her health continued to decline, and by July she was severely emaciated. Her pod tried to care for her, but there was little they could do. She passed away sometime between October 16th and 18th, 2016. Polaris' son Dipper, who was still nursing, began to get sick and starve. The rest of Tahlequah's pod brought him food and brought him to the surface to breath. Dipper's body was covered in bite marks from his family's desperate attempts to keep him from drowning. His sister, Star, refused to leave him. Sadly, he passed away shortly after his mother.

In summer of 2019, Tahlequah's mother, Princess Angeline, passed away.

## Tour of Grief

   On July 23rd, 2018, Tahlequah gave birth to a female calf. The calf did not live long, however, and died only a few minutes after birth. Tahlequah drew international attention as she carried the body of her dead calf for following 17 days over 1,000 miles. By day six, she was showing signs of weakness and was falling behind her pod. After a week the rest of her pod began to take turns carrying the body while Tahlequah rested. On day 17, she finally let go of the calf and rejoined her pod.

In 2020, it was confirmed that Tahlequah was once again pregnant.

## Birth of J57

In early September of 2020 (likely September 4th), Tahlequah gave birth to her third calf, a son named J57 "Phoenix."

## Galleries

* **Photos** of J35 Tahlequah
* **Videos** of J35 Tahlequah

## References

1. ↑ Meet the whales
2. ↑ Newborn orca from endangered B.C. pod dies shortly after birth
3. ↑ Orcas now taking turns floating dead calf in apparent mourning ritual
4. ↑ 'Tour of grief is over' for killer whale no longer carrying dead calf
5. ↑ Killer Whale Who Carried Dead Calf 2 Years Ago Is Pregnant Again