Canadian officials find no clear cause of orca death

SEATTLE — Canadian officials say a necropsy on a killer whale found dead near British Columbia on April 1 has uncovered no clear cause of death.

The orca identified as a member of the L-pod was found floating in the water near Esperanza Inlet, British Columbia. The results of the necropsy were released on Wednesday.

The dead orca, identified as L95, was approximately 20 years old. The Center for Whale Research called L95 Nigel.

The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans also confirmed this week that the dead female calf found near Sooke, British Columbia, on March 23, was a member of the southern resident population of killer whales.

Initial necropsy results did not indicate a cause of death, but Canadian officials said they suspect a birthing complication because the calf was less than two weeks old.

Analysis of tissue and blood samples is ongoing for both animals, and results will a final necropsy report is expected within the next month.