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Oldest male southern resident orca whale has died
The oldest male killer whale in the three British Columbian southern resident pods, known as J1 but nicknamed Ruffles is believed to have died. A member of J-Pod, he has not been seen since November and thought to be about 60 years old.
Many researchers and regular watchers of the area will be sad to see him go as he has been around since way before the whale-watchers, the rest of his family was seen recently. J1 was the first of the endangered southern residents to be designated in the photo-identification study, led by Michael Bigg, that started in the id-1970s and although he was be missed Ruffles has left a legacy in the form of at least seven offspring, who are spread around all three pods, the oldest being approx 34.
There are now 85 members of the three pods, but it is not yet known whether there have been any recent births as the count takes place in June and July.
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