Another baby orca spotted with Northwest's endangered J Pod

Another baby has been born to the Northwest’s endangered orca population.

A Center for Whale Research crew spotted the baby, still ruddy from the womb, from a boat near Victoria, British Columbia, on Sunday. It is the fourth calf born to the southern resident orcas since December. Two of the four have died already.

RELATED: Endangered orcas’ circle of life: one baby dies, another is born

Researchers say the first year is perilous for young whales, especially those born to first-time mothers. Sunday’s baby, designated J63, is the first for its 21-year-old mother, known as J40 or Suttles.

Michael Weiss, the center's research director, said observers have not seen enough of this young whale yet to gauge how well-nourished or healthy it is.

"We see no specific causes for concern at this time; the body condition of young calves is very hard to assess from the boat," Weiss said in an email. "We'll be able to say more once we can see if the calf is 'filling out' over time."

About half of southern resident newborns do not survive to their first birthday. Two-thirds of pregnancies end in miscarriage.

RELATED: Grieving orca mom carries dead calf on her nose for fifth day

Researchers say, with just 74 whales, each birth is vital to the survival of the endangered orca population.

In a statement, the Center for Whale Research called the latest birth "a sign of hope for this endangered community."

To survive, these whales need clean, quiet waters and abundant supplies of Chinook salmon to eat.

RELATED: NOAA firings in Seattle include orca-saving employee of the year