Ninth Puget Sound orca baby confirmed

SEATTLE — Whale researchers say they’ve documented another baby orca born in Puget Sound.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials said on Facebook Tuesday their researchers documented the new calf Monday.

The Center for Whale Research, which keeps a census of the orcas for the federal government, also confirmed the new orca.

Officials say it’s the ninth born since December 2014 to the endangered population of killer whales that spend time in Washington state inland waters.

NOAA officials also said on Monday they observed an orca pushing around a different newborn calf that had died. They say it is estimated that at least 50 percent of orca babies do not reach their first birthday, so the event is not unusual.