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Message Copyright © September 2024 by Center for Whale Research. All rights reserved.L87 Spyhop by Dave Ellifrit, CWR’s Orca Survey leadCenter for WHALE RESEARCH • WhaleResearch.comSouthern Resident Killer WhalesOrca SurveyOrca SurveyOrca SurveyOrca SurveyID GUIDEID GUIDEID GUIDEID GUIDEID GUIDE

Using this ORCA SURVEY ID GUIDE Which orcas are related, and what is their age and sex? The Center for Whale Research’s ORCA SURVEY (Southern Resident Killer Whales) ID GUIDE answers these questions. In the following pages, you’ll nd the Southern Resident orca community broken down by its three pods: J, K, and L. Each pod section begins with a matrilineal chart depicting who is related to whom, followed by left and right photographs of each whale grouped by family. These photographs include the orca’s number designation (e.g., J37), birth year, and immediate family members. You can ID an orca by its unique dorsal n and saddle patch. How are Orcas IDentied for the ORCA SURVEY? Orcas (killer whales) can be identied by their dorsal n shape and saddle patch. The dorsal n varies in shape and size and often shows distinctive nicks, indentations, and scars. The saddle patch—the whitish-grey pigmentation on the animal’s back—diers from individual to individual in shape (pigmentation pattern), size, color, scratches, and scarring.Dorsal Fin and Saddle Patch Changes An orca’s dorsal n can change dramatically over time. The shape and size alter as the whale grows, particularly males, whose dorsal n height can reach ten times its birth measurement. Dorsal ns sustain tears, nicks, scratches, and rake marks during their lifetime. Saddle patches acquire scars from teeth rakes and other causes. Photographing and cataloging the orcas annually in their rst few years is crucial due to natural changes in the dorsal n and saddle patch, from relatively non descript to distinctively marked.J2/Granny’s dorsal n comparison: 1976 and 2011. She died in 2016.CWR eld sta documenting orcas from research vessel KCB III.Center for Whale Research (CWR)ORCA SURVEYSince 1976

KEN BALCOMB - Center for Whale Research Founder (1940-2022) Ken Balcomb was the founder of the Center for Whale Research. He was a pioneer and legend in the whale world. During 50 years of research and advocacy, Ken lit a path for tens of thousands to follow. He was a scientist with a deep-rooted love and connection to the whales and their ocean habitat. He inspired others to appreciate both as much as he did. Ken spent much of his career documenting the lives of the Southern Resident Orca population (SRKW). His groundbreaking ORCA SURVEY study determined that these orcas needed more food abundance in a healthy habitat to survive. He continually heralded his message to the world: “No sh, No Blacksh.” [No Chinook salmon, No Southern Resident orcas]. What is ORCA SURVEY? ORCA SURVEY is a long-term photo-identication study of the Southern Resident orcas (SRKW) in North America’s Pacic Northwest. The study began in 1976 when Ken Balcomb was contracted by the National Marine Fisheries Service to determine the orca population in the Greater Puget Sound. It was apparent early in ORCA SURVEY—through individual whale identication—that there were far fewer orcas than previously thought in Washington State, leading the U.S. government to stop all orca captures for marine parks. The detailed information about the Southern Resident orca’s status and trends derived from CWR’s studies—the longest study of this population—has supported management decisions in both the United States and Canada: the Southern Residents were listed as endangered in Canada in 2001, receiving the same designation in the United States in 2005.More about Orcas in this ID Guide• J Pod Matriline Chart / Page 4• About ORCAS / Page 11• K Pod Matriline Chart / Page 12• Determining an Orca’s SEX / Page: 12• Orca BEHAVIORS / Page 17• L Pod Matriline Chart / Page 18• SRKW POPULATION Details / Page 27CWR founder and longtime leader Kenneth C. Balcomb III aboard Chimo.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comJ14 Matriline • J37, J40, J45, J49, J59J56J31J27J39J11sJ22J38J22sJ PODJ45J40J49 J59J37J14sJ16sJ36 J42J26J16J46J35J17sJ44 J53J47 J57= Female = Male J19sJ51J41J19J58 J37 • Female • Born 2001Mother is J14 (deceased); siblings J40, J45. Mother of J49, J59.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.com J45 • Male • Born 2009Mother is J14 (deceased); siblings J37, J40.J14 Matriline • J37, J40, J45, J49, J59J49 • Male • Born 2012Mother is J37;sibling J59.J59 • Female • Born 2022Mother is J37;sibling J49. J40 • Female • Born 2004Mother is J14 (deceased); siblings J37, J45.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comJ26 • Male • Born 1991Mother is J16; siblings J36, J42.J16 Matriline • J16, J26, J36, J42J36 • Female • Born 1999Mother is J16; siblings J26, J42.J42 • Female • Born 2007Mother is J16; siblings J26, J36. J16 • Female • Est. 1972Mother of J26, J36, J42.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comJ31 • Female • Born 1995Mother of J56; siblings J27, J39. J39 • Male • Born 2003Siblings J27, J31. J56 • Female • Born 2019Mother is J31.J11 Matriline • J27, J31, J39, J56J27 • Male • Born 1991Siblings J31, J39.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comJ41 • Female • Born 2005Mother is J19. Mother of J51, J58.J51 • Male • Born 2015Mother is J41; sibling J58.J58 • Female • Born 2020Mother is J41; sibling J51.J19 Matriline • J19, J41, J51, J58 J19 • Female • Born 1979Mother of J41. Grandmother of J51, J58.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comJ35 • Female • Born 1998Mother is J17 (deceased); siblings J44, J53. Mother of J47, J57. J44 • Male • Born 2009Mother is J17 (deceased); siblings J35, J53.J17 Matriline • J35, J44, J46, J47, J53, J57J22 • Female • Born 1985Mother of J38.J22 Matriline • J22, J38J38 • Male • Born 2003Mother is J22.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comJ17 Matriline (cont.) • J35, J44, J46, J47, J53, J57J53 • Female • Born 2015Mother is J17 (deceased); siblings are J35, J44.J57 • Male • Born 2020Mother is J35; sibling J47.J46 • Female • Born 2009Mother is J28 (deceased).J47 • Male • Born 2010Mother is J35; sibling J57.

Name: The common name is killer whale or orca; other names include blacksh, grampus, and killer. Taxonomy: Orcas are one of thirty-ve (35) species in the oceanic dolphin family, Delphinidae.Ecotypes: Research in the Pacic Northwest has identied three inhabiting orca ecotypes—Resident (sh eating SRKWs and NRKWs), Bigg’s (feed on seals, porpoise, and other marine mammals ), and Oshore (diet likely consists of sharks and other long-lived sh species).Lifespan & Reproduction: The estimated average (mean) lifespan of a SRKW female is 35 years; a male is 19 years. Females attain sexual maturity in their early teens; mating and calving occur year-round. Calf mortality is high—about one in ve survive past one year. Females are reproductive until about age 40, then experience menopause.Physical Features: “Tuxedo” coloring; black head, rostrum, back (except whitish-grey saddle patches), sides, dorsal and pectoral ns, and ukes (topside), contrasts with primarily white throat and underside, including genitals and the majority of the ventral (bottom) side of its ukes.Social Structure: The Southern Resident orca (SRKW) community is a single clan (J clan) and a single community. Three pods—J, K, and L—constitute the SRKWs. These pods share a common ancestry. The pods socialize and feed together. Grandmothers play a critical role.Communication: Resident orcas use echolocation clicks to navigate and locate prey, as well as various pulsed call types and tonal whistles to communicate (calls seem more common than whistles).Status & Threats: Residents endangered in Canada and the United States. Primary threats are lack of food (Chinook salmon), ocean contaminants, and noise and vessel disturbance.Learn lots more About ORCAS at WhaleResearch.com.The killer whale or orca is the largest member of the dolphin family and an apex predator in the world’s oceans.About ORCAS

An orca’s sex is determined by the pigment pattern on its underside. Male killer whales have an elongated white pattern around their genital slit stretching toward the tail; the female’s white pattern is more rounded with visible mammary slits.K PODK13sK20 K27K38 K45K12sK37 K43K22K12K33K16sK14sK14K35K36K42K26K16= Female = Male Orca MALE or FEMALE?

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.com K22 • Female • Born 1987 Mother is K12; siblings K37, K43. Mother of K33. K12 Matriline • K12, K22, K33, K37, K43K33 • Male • Born 2001 Mother is K22.K37 • Male • Born 2003 Mother is K12; siblings K22, K43. K12 • Female • Est. 1972Mother of K22, K37, K43. Grandmother of K33.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.com K12 Matriline (cont.) • K12, K22, K33, K37, K43 K13 Matriline • K20, K27, K38, K45K20 • Female • Born 1986 Mother is K13 (deceased); siblings K27, K34. Mother of K38, K45. K43 • Female • Born 2010 Mother is K12; siblings K22, K37.K27 • Female • Born 1994 Mother is K13 (deceased); siblings K20, K34. K38 • Male • Born 2004 Mother is K20;sibling K45.

K45 • Female • Born 2022 Mother is K20;sibling K38.Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.com K13 Matriline (cont.) • K20, K27, K34, K38, K45 K26 • Male • Born 1993 Mother is K14; siblings K36, K42.K14 • Female • Born 1977 Sibling K16. Mother of K26, K36, K42.K14 Matriline • K14, K26, K36, K42 K36 • Female • Born 2003 Mother is K14; siblings K26, K42.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comTriple SpyhopK42 • Male • Born 2008 Mother is K14; siblings K26, K36.K35 • Male • Born 2002 Mother is K16.K16 • Female • Born 1985 Sibling K14. Mother of K35.K16 Matriline • K16, K35K14 Matriline (cont.) • K14, K26, K36, K42

BreachLearn about these and other Orca BEHAVIORS at WhaleResearch.com.PorpoisingPectoral Wave Inverted Tail LobBubble Blowing Tail LobTACTILEOrca BEHAVIORS

L90Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comL PODL11sL77 L94L119 L124 L113 L121 L127L25L126L72sL72L105L88L4sL87L22L32sL109L116L123L55L82L103 L118 L106 L125L86= Female = Male L54sL54L108 L117L47sL110 L122L115L83 L91

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comL77 • Female • Born 1987 Sibling L94. Mother of L119, L124.Grandmother of L126.L94 • Female • Born 1995Sibling L77. Mother of L113, L121, L127.L113 • Female • Born 2009Mother is L94; sibling L121, L127.L11 Matriline • L77, L94, L113, L119, L121, L124, L126, L127L119 • Female • Born 2012Mother is L77; sibling L124.Mother of L126.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comL121 • Male • Born 2015Mother is L94; sibling L113, L127.L124 • Female • Born 2018 Mother is L77; sibling L119.L11 Matriline (cont.) • L77, L94, L113, L119, L121, L124, L126, L127 L127 • Female • Born 2023Mother is L94; sibling L113.L126 • Male • Born 2023Mother is L119.

L87 • Male • Born 1992Mother L32 (deceased).Probable sibling L22. L87 L25L25 • Female • Est. 1928 Associated with the L11s.Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.com L22 • Female • Est. 1971Probable sibling L87. Associated with the L11s.L22L88L88 • Male • Born 1993Sole survivor of L2 matriline.Associated with L54s.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comL4 Matriline • L55, L82, L86, L103, L106, L109, L116, L118, L123, L125 L55 • Female • Born 1977 Sibling L86. Mother of L82, L103, L109, L118. Grandmother of L116, L123.L82 • Female • Born 1990 Mother is L55; siblings L103, L109, L118. Mother of L116.L103 • Female • Born 2003Mother is L55; siblings L82, L109, L118. Mother of L123.L86 • Female • Born 1991Sibling L55. Mother of L106, L125.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comL106 • Male • Born 2005Mother is L86; sibling L125.L109 • Male • Born 2007 Mother is L55; siblings L82, L103, L118.L4 Matriline • L55, L82, L86, L103, L106, L109, L116, L118, L123, L125L116 • Male • Born 2010Mother is L82. L118 • Female • Born 2011Mother is L55; siblings L82, L103, L109.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comL4 Matriline • L55, L82, L86, L103, L106, L109, L116, L118, L123, L125 L123 • Male • Born 2015Mother is L103. L125 • Female • Born 2021Mother is L86; sibling L106.L72 • Female • Born 1986 Mother of L105.L72 Matriline • L72, L105L105 • Male • Born 2004Mother is L72.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comL47 Matriline • L83, L91, L110, L115, L122L83 • Female • Born 1990 Mother is L47 (deceased); siblings L91, L115. Mother of L110.L91 • Female • Born 1995Mother is L47 (deceased); siblings L83, L115. Mother of L122.L110 • Male • Born 2007Mother is L83.L115 • Male • Born 2010Mother is L47 (deceased); siblings L83, L91.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comL47 Matriline (cont.) • L83, L91, L110, L115, L122L122 • Male • Born 2015Mother is L91.L90L90 • Female • Born 1993Sole survivor of L26 matriline. L54 • Female • Born 1977 Mother of L108, L117.L54 Matriline • L54, L108, L117L108 • Male • Born 2006Mother is L54; sibling L117.

Center for Whale Research • Orca Survey Since 1976 • WhaleResearch.comSouthern Resident Orca (SRKW) POPULATIONPopulation update to July 1, 2024: 73 whales (J Pod=25, K Pod=15, L Pod=33)J Pod is the pod most likely to appear year-round in the waters of Washington State’s San Juan Islands and lower Puget Sound (near Seattle), as well as British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands and Georgia Strait. J Pod visits to these inland waters are most frequent from late spring through early fall. J pod matriarch J16 is the pod’s oldest member, estimated to have been born in 1972. J pod had one birth since the 2023 census (J60, male); however, this calf died in early 2024. J pod currently counts 25 members.K Pod is the SRKW pod with the fewest members. Like J pod, K pod’s oldest member is a female, K12, estimated born in 1972. K pod experienced one death since the 2023 census (K34); the most recent birth was K45 in 2022. K pod currently counts 15 members.L Pod is the largest of the three SRKW pods. L25, estimated to be born in 1928, is the oldest whale in the Southern Resident community. L pod experienced one mortality (L85) and no births since the 2023 census. The most recent births were L126 and L127 in 2023. L pod currently counts 33 members.L117 • Male • Born 2010Mother is L54; sibling L108.L54 Matriline (cont.) • L54, L108, L117

Center for WHALE RESEARCH • WhaleResearch.comYour nancial support makes our work possiblePlease DONATECenter for WHALE RESEARCHCopyright © September 2024 by Center for Whale Research. All rights reserved.© 2024 Center for Whale Research is a 501c3 nonprot organization registered in Washington State. All rights reserved. No part of the material found in this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form, or by any means, without the prior written consent of the Center for Whale Research. Photos were taken under NMFS Permit #27038 and/or DFO license SARA 388.For 48 years, the Center for Whale Research has been studying these amazing whales, but our work is far from over. We need your nancial help to continue our studies, expand our outreach and education, and speak out on the Southern Resident orcas’ behalf. Our decades of knowledge of these orcas have put us in a unique position to advocate the truth about their PRIMARY NEEDS to survive.EXTINCTION IS FOREVER! The ght for the Southern Resident orcas and natural wild Chinook salmon continues.