MARINE MAMMALS -- Researchers have counted 81 killer whales, including four babies born since last winter, in the annual July tally of endangered Puget Sound orcas.  

Ken Balcomb with the Center for Whale Research, which keeps the official census of Puget Sound killer whales for the federal government, says they have photo confirmation of each whale.  

Balcomb says it’s good news that the four baby orcas have passed “the dangerous part,” though they’re not in the clear yet.  

The population of 81 orcas is higher than last year’s count of 78 whales in July. But it’s still dangerously low. Listed as endangered in 2005, the whales are struggling because of pollution, lack of food and other reasons.