After earlier announcing the orca population in Puget Sound was rapidly dwindling, scientists of the Center for Whale Research have cause to celebrate after a calf was born to a 23-year old L86 killer whale mother.

This is the first birth for the population since 2012. The calf is L86's second offspring and has been designated L120.

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"We wouldn't have known about it, but heard from David Elifritt out on the water that L86 had a new calf, and then ran into them," said Capt. Jim Maya of Maya's Westside Whale Charters on San Juan Island.

"What a thrill to be there at the right time in the right place. Everyone on board was so excited. I've never seen a calf born, but it's always a thrill to be there the day a new calf was discovered."

Michael Harris, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, said the birth is a welcome addition to the population of 78, the lowest number of whales in over a decade.

Harris remembered the first time they thought they saw L86's baby bump back in June.

Despite the excitement, Harris isn't jumping for joy quite yet because mortality amongst wild orcas is very high, especially those that live in the area. He says they're watching the baby closely and hope the infant manages to survive.

The baby's birth also doesn't mean the orca population is in the clear, Harris stated.

He said the population will continue to struggle as their preferred diet of wild Chinook salmon is still decreasing. Orcas can eat other fish, but they prefer the fatter and bigger Chinook salmon.

Although federal salmon managers have tried to alter the state of the salmon population, man's heavy reliance on harvest, hatcheries and hydropwer have not helped the long-term recovery of the fish.

While the local population of orcas is decreasing, the number of transient or marine mammal-eating orcas is thriving in the Sound and straits.