One of these Killer Whales is Almost 100 years Old...

...and the other is in his fifties!

These two whales were the first of their pod to be identified by Ken Balcomb back in the late 70s when scientists realized that every Orca has a distinct pattern of markings. J1 is the impressive male with the characteristically tall dorsal fin, and J2 is tucked in behind him. Because of their relative ages and the fact that the pair is together so often, most likely they are mother and son.

J1 is 58 years old, and his mom is almost 100.

The concept that Orcas can live so long in the wild is just amazing -- we can only imagine the changes that J2 has witnessed over the course of her lifetime, and what remarkable adaptations she has had to make.


http://blog.seattlepi.com/candacewhiting/archives/169288.asp

Nobody official keeps track of the fate of captive members of these protected species anymore, there's a private website that does an unofficial captive orca census http://www.orcahome.de/orcastat.htm and tracks deaths in captivity http://www.orcahome.de/orcadead.htm

Sorry the seal does end up being eaten but the way the whales work together is amazing, i saw this on i think the discovery channel and thew picture quality was way better but you get the general idea.

:)

:rofl:

I watched a documentary once by Jane Goodall where some man in SA has made friends with Orcas.
He stands in the shallow water and plays his harmonica and the Orcas come and swim by him....it was amazing.


http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7684331

K&R

www.killerwhaletales.org

Check out the website. Jeff Hogan and cohorts are doing a great job in the Seattle area.