Scientists express concern for ailing killer whale off West Coast

VANCOUVER – An ailing killer whale was last sighted off Washington state on Friday and biologists say she was still struggling.

A veterinarian was able to dart J50 with a broad-spectrum antibiotic on Aug. 9 but Michael Milstein of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States says biologists described the whale as skinny, underweight and emaciated

Milstein says J50 is not getting enough nutrition but whether that is because the 3 1/2 year old is not able to forage or she has some type of infection or other condition is hard to say.

Martin Haulena, a vet with Vancouver Aquarium who fired the antibiotic-filled dart at J50, says he is still concerned about her.

The emaciated whale is part of the endangered southern resident population, which has just 75 members remaining.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version based on information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said J50 was last seen on Aug. 19.