September 4th Update via @NOAA – Once again, Scarlet impressed scientists on Monday as remarkably active and engaged with her family, J Pod, despite her severely emaciated condition. Never have researchers seen such an emaciated whale defy the odds for so long. Scarlet stayed close to her mother, Slick/J-16, and continued the longer dives expected of healthy whales. Researchers from SR3 and NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center collected new aerial images of J-50 and other J Pod whales for comparison to a 10-year time series to assess growth and body condition. Veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena of the Vancouver Aquarium gave Scarlet another dose of antibiotics through a dart. (Her first dose was on August 9.) The treatment priority has now shifted to administering a dewormer, also through a dart, to reduce any parasitic burden on Scarlet’s system. Teams did not get the chance to provide the dewormer on Monday, but will continue to attempt that, depending on the location of the whales and conditions on the water. Photo of Scarlet with other members of J Pod by Candace Emmons/NOAA Fisheries, under permit 18786. Via @whalesanctuaryproject #savetheseventyfive #savethe75 #feedtheseventyfive #ocean #orcas #salishseaorcas https://www.instagram.com/p/BnVhaSxB167/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cba4fq1720ab
