It’s a boy! J Pod calf “feisty and frolicking”

SEATTLE, Wash. — It’s a boy!

Observers with the Center for Whale Research say the calf born early this month is feisty and frolicking next to his mother while she forages for food.

The Seattle Times reports they watched the baby and his J Pod Tuesday evening near Point Roberts.

The researchers had hoped for a female to help bolster the Southern Residents population of just 73 whales, but they’re still thrilled by his good health.

The center says of that number 27 are females of reproductive age and 17 are potentially reproductive males.

The new calf won’t reach that age for about 22 years.