The endangered female killer whale found off the coast of Vancouver Island on Dec. 4 was pregnant when she died. The female killer whale was a member of the endangered southern resident Puget Sound families.

The whale, known as J-32 and nicknamed Rhapsody, was found near Courtenay on Thursday and the carcass was moved to a boat on Friday. The necropsy of the 18-year-old orca revealed that the whale was pregnant with a full-term fetus, and birth complications could be the reason for the whale’s death. The necropsy was performed on Sunday by researchers from Victoria (B.C.) Marine Science Association or VMSA, a fledging group that hopes to turn into a non-profit.

Head of the Center for Whale Research Ken Balcolm helped conduct the necropsy. He said that the whale was not in “good condition.” Biologists are still working to determine the mammal’s cause of death.

The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans claimed that prior to the examination, several teeth had been removed from the killer whale’s mouth. Paul Cottrell, Pacific marine mammals coordinator, said that some teeth were sawed at the gum line and others were broken off. CBC News reported that Cottrell called this illegal act “senseless” and stressed that he did not want threatened animal parts to be sold or traded.

Being in possession of any part of an endangered or threatened animal is illegal according to Canada’s Species At Risk Act. Penalties for this act vary depending on whether the perpetrator is a private citizen, a corporation or a non-profit. Although maximum penalties are rarely imposed, the maximum penalty for an individual is up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Police are searching for those responsible.

VMSA member and whale-watching photographer Marcie Callewaert discussed her visit to the whale on Saturday. Callewaert explained that the death of an orca is always significant, and the orca’s missing teeth made the incident even worse. She claimed that she saw the orca on the beach in the same moment a women informed her that the teeth had been removed the night before. Callewaert said it was “two blows at once.”

Cottrell also considered the loss of the orca whale a significant “blow” not only to the population, but to the efforts to rebuild the population. He said that only 77 southern resident Puget sound orca whales remain in the world. Of those residents, 17 or 18 are said to be reproductive females. Cottrell explained that losing one animal going into the breeding age is a large loss because that animal had the potential to contribute to the population for years.  He also added how “unfortunate” the loss of the calf was because it too could have contributed to the population.

The Marine Mammal Response Program was responsible for reporting the death of the animal so quickly. This allowed for a “pristine specimen” for examination, according to CBC. The results of the examined tissue samples and fetus of the orca are expected to be released in four to six weeks. Cottrell said that the orca is being examined in several labs across North America.