Author: Emma Kronish

In 2018, Tahlequah captivated the world when she carried her dead calf for 17 days over 1,000 miles. Her story brought focus to the plight of the 72 Orcas that live in the waters off the coast of Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Known as the Southern Resident Orcas and made up of three distinct pods, their population is at a 30 year low and is considered endangered by United States and Canadian authorities. When Tahlequah’s calf was born in 2018, it was the first live birth in her pod in three years. Unfortunately, the calf only lived for about a half an hour. Experts believe Tahlequah bonded with her calf even during this short time because the calf swam by her side.

Today, drone photos show evidence that Tahlequah is now expecting another calf. It is too soon to know when the calf should be born, but Orca pregnancies last up to 18 months, so we’ll all have to be patient. Scientists have also identified other Southern Resident Orcas who are pregnant, but they urge cautious optimism. Studies show that over 60% of past pregnancies have been unsuccessful.

Low pregnancy rates, few live births and low calf survival rates are attributed to a shortage of the Chinook Salmon that comprise 80% of Orcas’ diet, noise population that disrupts echolocation of prey and chemical pollution. Experts are unanimous in asking fishers and others in boats to give plenty of space to any Orcas they may encounter. With an office in Seattle, SPCA International will be keeping tabs on Tahlequah and the progress of her pregnancy, as well as the overall situation of the Southern Resident Orcas.

If you are intrigued and interested in learning more, here are a few sites of organizations focused on the conservation of the Orcas.

• Center for Whale Research
• SR3
• Marine Mammal Commission

These pups were rescued from a slaughterhouse in China by SPCA International’s partner organization Plush Bear. Their team spotted a truck full of dogs leaving the local market and followed it to the slaughterhouse. Fortunately, they were able to rescue all of the dogs on the truck, as well as other dogs that were being kept in filthy holding pens.

The dogs were given immediate veterinary care, healthy food, a clean place to sleep and loving care. Most of them are still waiting to be adopted, but a few have already made it to their forever homes where they will be safe and cared for.

Poppy an old English sheepdog, now living a wonderful life in the U.K. with her new owner Sue and new siblings Rosie and Harry. She’s a bouncing ball of energy and seems unaffected by her time in China before Plush Bears Shelter saved her from death. She enjoys long daily walks by the seaside and has a penchant for chewing shoes

Luna a female Bassett hound rescued from slaughter by Plush Bears Shelter was brought to the United States by a breed-specific rescue who funded her transport costs and found her an exceptional new home where she is loved and adored.

Grace a Samoyed mix was flown over to the United States after being rescued from slaughter by Plush Bears Shelter. She now has a great new home in Florida with an endless supply of love from her new owner.

So much has happened in the last few months, it is easy for the Australia bushfires to fade from our minds, but the animal rescuers in Australia continue their important work.

Thanks to many generous SPCA International supporters, we were able to respond quickly to help animal rescue organizations affected by the bushfires.

We are excited to share the progress of just a few of the grant recipients:

Wildlife Care WA Inc.

This organization is maintaining food and water stations for animals returning to scorched forests. These stations are critically important for animals because most food sources have been destroyed. They are also important because they help measure how many animals are returning to the area. Wildlife Care WA Inc. is using motion sensing wildlife cameras to monitor the animals and are thrilled to report many birds and some larger animals returning to the area. There is even a group of adolescent kangaroos that have banded together for safety and frequently visit the food and water stations. The next important item on the list at Wildlife Care WA Inc. is a trailer that will carry a water tank and other supplies for restocking the food and water stations.

Friends of the Western Ground Parrot

This unique organization is dedicated to saving the critically endangered Western Ground Parrot. Just a few years ago there were fewer than 150 of these birds in their last known habitat on the remote South Coast of Western Australia. This area has now been decimated by bushfires and the group is working to find out how many of these nearly extinct species are still alive. With the generosity of SPCA International supporters, we were able to provide funds to purchase solar powered acoustic recording units to capture the whistling teakettle-like songs of the ground parrots and estimate how many have survived.

Bluebush Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

This organization rescues and rehabilitates young kangaroos that can’t live on their own in the wild. During and after the bushfires they rescued many joeys that were much too young to be on their own. Many of the joeys had hopped through ashes and burned their feet and tails. The grant provided by SPCA International helped with veterinary care, water access and fencing. These joeys will live on a huge reserve in a natural environment until their habitat has recovered and they are ready to be released into the wild.

None of this work would be possible without the support of so many kind and caring people who gave what they could during Australia’s moment of need. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing even more updates from down under so you can see all the exciting bushfire recovery activities we are supporting in Australia.

Last month we activated the SPCA International community to help care for four tiny kittens that were rescued in Peru. We were concerned when tiny Atiq struggled to put on weight, but now Atiq and his siblings are all safe in their forever homes.

SPCA International’s supporters have stepped up in a big way during the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to many generous individuals, we will be able to provide a total of $160,000 to shelters and rescue organizations on the front lines of the COVID-19 animal welfare response.

With the conclusion of the “My Next Bowl” COVID-19 relief social media event last week, thousands of animals will receive the food and care they need during this difficult time. In addition to our regular grants, “My Next Bowl” will provide 55,634 bowls of food provided by individual donors and 14,300 bowls from Wishbone Pet Foods.

These are the organizations being directly supported thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

• Bo Ai Animal Protection Centre of Guangyuan
• K9 Global Rescue
• Unidad de Proteccion Animal
• Plush Bears Shelter
• Animal House Jamaica
• Associazione Etica Antispecista Jill Phipps
• SPCA Italia Protezione Animal
• Vucjak Shelter and Wildlife Sanctuary
• Furry Angels Haven – Wuhan
• Sneha’s Care
• Healing Animal SCARS
• Oito Vidas
• Animal Rescue Serbia
• Ravi Foundation Pakistan
• Detroit Animal Welfare Group
• World of Angels Foundation
• Clean Futures Fund
• SPCA Ouest
• Stray Dog Support
•  Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA) 
•  Anima Leondo RD
• Raincoast Dog Rescue Society
• Animal Friends of Kurdistan

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, SPCA International will be here to monitor the situation, keep you informed and connect you to the most pressing animal welfare needs. Thank you again to everyone who has supported our shelter and rescue group relief efforts during this time.