THIS IS GOODBYE

Grieving Mother Orca Finally Releases Dead Calf

After pushing its body alongside her for at least 17 days.

The grieving mother orca that had been carrying her dead calf for at least 17 days finally let go this Saturday, according to researchers cited Sunday by USA Today. After the baby died off British Columbia on July 24, scientists said the 20-year-old mother orca dubbed J35 saved its body from submerging and began pushing it alongside her for more than 1,000 miles. The phenomenon stunned scientists, who said that although orcas do mourn their dead, J35’s extended mourning period was quite unusual. And while researchers worried that the mother was expending too much energy on her calf, biologists said there was never a plan to separate them. The mother’s ordeal finally ended Saturday, according to a scientist who had been keeping tabs on the mother. “J35 frolicked past my window today with other J pod whales,” he told USA Today, “and she looks vigorous and healthy.”