'Oldest Killer Whale' Is Missing And Presumed Dead; "Granny" The Orca Is Reportedly 100 Years Old

Granny, the "oldest killer whale", is presumed dead. Researchers indicate that the whale is missing. According to a report the "oldest killer whale" is over 100 years old. It already has avoided being sold to a marine park in the 1960's and went on with other Orca's for years now.

The cut on her fin is a distinguishing mark to identify Granny from the rest. This has been a cut the Granny got from swimming through the Pacific for half a century. Granny or J2 is said to be the "oldest killer whale" that has lived. The orca was already an adult when it was captured for the Washington State's Puget Sound in the 1960's. However, she has been returned to the wild again because she was believed to be old even then.

Granny, as the oldest killer whale, has been a topic for a documentary about menopause on BBC. The documentary followed the clan of orcas and explored on the topic of menopause. There are only three creatures on Earth that experience menopause; these are the orcas, the short-finned pilot whales, and humans.

Meanwhile, as the documentary followed Granny, it shows how the matriarch killer whales play a significant role with their other family group. They mostly take care of the younger ones and even feed the male killer whales.

Prof Darren Croft from the University of Exeter, UK shares that he is saddened by the news that the "oldest killer whale" is gone. He also explains that Granny has been helpful towards her family group all throughout the years.

 The "oldest killer whale" has been guiding her family group on her knowledge on where to find food. Her stay has been a log while and she knows well what to do in the wild. It seems that the orca family has lost a great one this time.