K-7, oldest of Southern resident orcas, believed dead

[Bonobo]

Source: San Juan Journal.com

K-7, the oldest orca in the Southern resident pods, is believed dead. She is believed to have been 98 years old and was the matriarch of a line that extended five generations.

K-7, believed born in 1910, was an important symbol. When she was born — to parents undoubtedly born in the 1800s — the local orca population was possibly over 120. In her lifetime, she survived bullets from fishermen that saw orcas as competition for salmon. She survived the marine park era, in which 50 whales were captured or died during capture. She survived despite depleted salmon stocks and increased marine pollution.

The population rebounded from 71 in 1973 to 99 in 1995, then plummeted to 79 six years later. The population rebounded to 80 in 2002, 83 in 2003, 85 in 2004 and 89 in 2005, but has seesawed around 88 since then. The local pods were declared endangered by the U.S. and Canada by 2005 and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has been patrolling the area to enforce rules requiring boats to maintain a distance of 100 yards from the whales.

The Center for Whale Research says the whales' biggest threats are pollution in Puget Sound and declines in salmon. The center says the Navy may also share the blame.

Read more: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/jsj/news/26251999.html

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Looks like the US Navy, pollution and overfishing in the Puget Sound are the culprits in this.

[rpannier]

1. 98 years is a long life

and it's amazing she survived the idiots who shot at her.

It's tragic that in this day-and-age we are still struggling with preserving these species.

It should be a no-brainer that we need to do almost anything to save these animals.

But, we're stuck with the conservative dolts who see only $$$$ signs.

[Maestro]

2. It's just an orca. It's not like she has any feelings.

:sarcasm: Most, and definitely not the conservative ideologues that say that humans have a right to do anything they want with this planet and its wildlife, will understand why this is even newsworthy. Her kind are dying and we are a direct cause of this. I find it troubling and sad. She saw many years, hopefully most were happy.

[Ian David]

8. Maw and Paw BAD!

[Judi Lynn]

3. Thank you for this post. Very, very helpful. n/t

[Muttocracy]

4. I had no idea they lived so long. Amazing. nt

[Hekate]

5. We share this planet with other sentient, self-aware beings. Rest at peace, K-7...

I wish we could know your real name.

Hekate

[FirstLight]

6. Another great matriarch of our earth tribe is gone

wonder if she, like many other old and wiser ones, decided to leave the planet before things got any uglier.

rip, Mother Orca, may your children survive & flourish

:cry:

[Ian David]

7. Finally, something that was older than McCain. RIP, Orca. n/t

[Odin2005]

9. 98 years!?! WOW!!!

I didn't know those guys could get that old!

RIP K-7.

[Lautremont]

10. Forth go ye to Atlantis, Mrs. 7. Swim well.

[Dudley_DUright]

11. I saw some of her offspring in the K pod while whale watching in the

San Juan's last summer, but alas did not catch sight of the grand dame herself. Rest in peace K-7.

[rumpel]

12. Om mani padme hung

Om mani padme hung

Om mani padme hung...