The first known baby killer whale born since 2012 to a population of endangered orcas that frequent Puget Sound in Washington State has died, according to The Huffington Post.

The death of the baby killer whale is bringing light to the fact that more protective measures might be necessary to protect the endangered species.

Threats to the population reportedly include pollution and overfishing of their major food source, chinook salmon, according to Yahoo News. The population of killer whales reportedly numbered more than 140 animals decades ago, but declined to 71 in the 1970s when they were being captured for marine parks and aquariums.

The orcas were reportedly listed as endangered in 2005.

The baby killer whale that has been presumed dead hasn't been seen with its mother for three consecutive days, according to Howard Garrett, co-director of the Washington-based Orca Network.

"For the first two years, a calf is glued to its mother's side. This calf hasn't been seen with its mother, and that's conclusive it's dead," stated Garrett.

There is speculation that the baby killer whale might have been lost in a storm in the middle of the week while its pod was offshore, stated Ken Balcomb, a part of the Center for Whale Research. The baby was reportedly a member of "L pod," one of the three closely tracked families within the Puget Sound population.

Two other whales have reportedly been presumed dead after disappearing earlier this year as well so the recent death of the baby killer whale is a huge disappointment.

"We were being guardedly optimistic that a turning point had been reached but that is not the case," stated Balcomb.