For the first time ever Sunday scientists have attempted to feed a starving orca hatchery salmon to save her life.
The almost 4-year-old female -- known as J-50 and "Scarlett" -- has been the focus of American and Canadian scientists as the Southern Resident Killer Whales are endangered, and she is nearing breeding age.
J-50 has lost 20% of her body mass, and has developed "peanut head" -- a depression near the base of her skull signaling severe malnutrition.
Brad Hanson, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries wildlife biologist says J-50 was followed off western San Juan Island over the weekend, and with the help of the Lummi Nation, crews were able to shoot 8 hatchery chinook salmon through a tube towards the whale. But strong currents prevented collection of scale samples to determine if she actually ate any of the fish.
Researchers collected a fecal sample from the vicinity of J-50, but it needs to be analyzed to determine if it's hers. Crews were also able to inject her with a broad spectrum antibiotic on Thursday.
The big tides and currents also proved challenging for J-50 as she struggled to keep up with her pod, and became separated for almost an hour.
It will be a few days before the crew can assess how the young whale is doing as the pod has left the foraging grounds for now. Once they return the next course of action will be decided. One possibility is trying to feed her medicine-infused fish.
Hanson says this type of thing has never been tried before, so logistically the operation has been deemed a success.