An endangered killer whale has finally abandoned the body of her dead calf after carrying it with her for more than two weeks.

The orca, known as J35, is finally back to feeding and frolicking with her pod after what appeared to be a prolonged grieving period of 17 days.

The Centre for Whale Research in Washington state says it watched the orca chase a school of salmon in Haro Strait west of San Juan Island on Saturday afternoon.

The whales have been struggling because of a lack of salmon, and J35′s calf died soon after birth on July 24.

The mother finally abandoned the carcass as it began to decompose.

Centre founder Ken Balcomb said he is relieved to see J35 returning to typical behaviour.