WATCH: Fourth Southern Resident orca calf spotted in three months

It appears as though the Southern Resident orca whale pod is going through a bit of a baby boom.

There have been ongoing concerns about the pod’s survival, particularly when it comes to water pollution and contact with humans.

But new images are showing what appears to be another whale calf for J-pod.

Naturalist and researcher Jeanne Hyde from Friday Harbour, Washington was the first person to spot the new baby whale as the group was entering Active Pass and took the pictures.

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“It was quite a shocker to see another new baby out there,” says Hyde. “This calf was travelling with the family. It’s going to take some time and some encounters to determine who the mother is.”

Pacific Whale Watch Association’s crew noted heavy fetal folds on the baby, which indicates that it was newborn.

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It is the fourth calf for the Southern Resident community in the past three months, sparking hope for the endangered group.

READ MORE: A New Year’s Baby for endangered Southern Resident orcas