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Missing orca spotted

The search for an emaciated killer whale has spotted the orca off the coast of Vancouver Island.

Rescuers from NOAA, the Vancouver Aquarium, the DFO and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife spotted southern resident killer whale and her pod off the coast of Port Renfrew on Tuesday.

The pod hadn't been seen since Friday, an authorities have been hoping to administer antibiotics to the ailing orca.

"Noticeably different-looking from two-and-a-half weeks ago," said Linda Rhodes, microbiologist with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. "(It) suggests that there's some rapid changes occurring, something very serious is happening."

"The chances are long. We have to admit that," said NOAA spokesman Michael Milstein.

Veterinarians in the U.S. hope to deliver antibiotics by pole or dart if J50 located in U.S. waters, or feed it salmon dosed with medication.

J50, a female with the potential to reproduce, is considered crucial to the endangered southern resident killer whale population, which numbers just 75.

– with files from CTV and The Canadian Press



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