Southern Resident Orca Community Demographics,
Composition of Pods, Births and Deaths since 1990

Updated November 1, 2024

How long do orcas live? Many questions are asked about natural orca lifespans.

All data provided by the Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island.

As of November 1, 2024, the Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orca) population was comprised of 72 individuals. J pod has 25 members; K pod has 14; and L pod has 33, including (approximately):

  1. J pod has 11 adult females, (1 post-reproductive); 4 juvenile females; 6 adult males; 4 juvenile males.

  2. K pod has 8 adult females (1 post-reproductive); 1 juvenile female; 5 adult males; 0 juvenile males.

  3. L pod has 16 adult females (4 post-reproductive); 3 juvenile females; 7 adult males; 7 juvenile males.
    Adult females are defined as 10 years old or older, or born in 2013 or earlier. Female reproductive age ends about age 40.
    Adult males (reproductive) could be defined as over 15, or born 2008 or earlier.

PLEASE NOTE: All numbers will be appropriately updated when the Center for Whale Research releases its updated census in late 2024.

See below for complete list of babies born since 1990.
The Whale Museum's Adoption names and stories for each whale.

December 31, 2023 Southern Resident Orca Population // J, K, and L Pod Census Copyright © 2023 Center for Whale Research.

Complete list of births and deaths since 1990.

 Dates of births marked with an asterisk (*) are estimated based on actuarial tables of mortality rates combined with observed association patterns to determine family relationships, from Life history and population dynamics of resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the coastal waters of British Columbia and Washington State, Olesiuk, P.F., M.A. Bigg and G.M. Ellis.

Since 1990, 58 orcas have been born and still survive:

L127 (Scuba) Female, born to L94 (Calypso), her third calf, June 2023
L126 (Ken) Male, born to L119 (Joy), her first calf, June, 2023
K45
(Prosper) Female, born to K20 (Spock), her second calf, May, 2022

J59 (Sxwyeqólh (Swee-a-kosh)) Female, born to J37 (Hy’shqa), her second calf, February, 2022
L125 (Element) Female, born to L86 (Surprise!), her fourth calf, February, 2021
J58 (Crescent) Female, born to J41 (Eclipse), her second calf, September, 2020
J57 (Phoenix) Male, born to J35 (Tahlequah), her third calf, September, 2020
J56 (Tofino) Female, born to J31 (Tsuchi), her first calf, May, 2019

L124 (Whistle) Female, born to L77 (Matia), her third calf, January, 2019
L123 (Lazuli) Male born to L103 (Lapis), her first calf, November, 2015
J53 (Kiki) Female born to J17 (Princess Angeline), her fourth calf, October, 2015
L122 (Magic) Male born to L91 (Muncher), her first calf, September, 2015
L121 (Windsong) Male born to L94 (Calypso), her second calf, February, 2015

J51 (Nova) Male born to J41 (Eclipse), her first calf, February, 2015
J49 (T’ilem l’nges) Male born to J37 (Hy'shqa), her first calf, August, 2012
L119 (Joy) Female born to L77 (Matia), her first calf, May, 2012
L118 (Jade) Female born to L55 (Nugget), her fourth calf, January, 2011
L117 (Keta) Male born to L54 (Ino), her second calf, December, 2010

L116 (Finn) Male born to L82 (Kasatka), her first calf, October, 2010
L115 (Mystic) Male born to L47 (Marina), her third calf, August, 2010
K43 (Saturna) Female born to K12 (Sequim), her third calf, February, 2010
J47 (Notch) Male born to J35 (Tahlequah), her first calf, January, 2010
J46 (Star) Female born to J28 (Polaris), her first calf, November, 2009

L113 (Cousteau) Female born to L94 (Calypso), her first calf, October, 2009
J45 (Se yi chn) Male born to J14 (Samish), her third calf, February/March, 2009
J44 (Moby) Male born to J17 (Princess Angeline), her third calf, February, 2009
K42 (Kelp) Male born to K14 (Lea) her fourth calf, June, 2008
L110 (Midnight) Male born to L83 (Moonlight), her first calf, summer, 2007

J42 (Echo) Female born to J16 (Slick), her fourth calf, spring, 2007
L109 (Takoda) Male born to L55 (Nugget), her third calf, winter or spring, 2007
L108 (Coho) Male born to L54 (Ino), her second calf, June, 2006
J41 (Eclipse) Female born to J19 (Shachi), her second calf, July, 2005
L106 (Pooka) Male born to L86 (Surprise), her first calf, first seen June, 2005

K38 (Comet) Male born to K20 (Spock), her first calf, December, 2004
J40 (Suttles) Female born to J14 (Samish), her fourth calf, December, 2004
L105 (Fluke) Male born to L72 (Racer), her first calf, October, 2004
K37 (Rainshadow) Male born to K12 (Sequim), her fourth calf, January, 2004
K36 (Yoda) Female born to K14 (Lea), her fourth calf, September, 2003

L103 (Lapis) Female born to L55 (Nugget), her third calf, first seen June, 2003
J39 (Mako) Male born to J11 (Blossom), her fourth calf, Spring, 2003
J38 (Cookie) Male born to J22 (Oreo), her second calf, Spring, 2003
K35 (Sonata) Male born to K16 (Opus), her first calf, Fall, 2002
J37 (Hy'Shqa) Female born to J14 (Samish), her third calf, early Jan. 2001

K33 (Tika) Male born to K22 (Sekiu), her first calf, early Jan. 2001
J36 (Alki) Female born to J16 (Slick), her third calf, early 1999
J35 (Talequah) Female born to J17 (Princess Angeline), her second calf, 1998
J31 (Tsuchi) Female born to J11 (Blossom), her third calf, 1995
L91 (Muncher) Female born to L47 (Marina), her second calf, 1995

L94 (Calypso) Female born to L11 (Squirty), her fifth calf, 1995
K27 (Deadhead) Female born to K13 (Skagit), her third calf, 1994
L88 (Wavewalker) Male born to L2 (Grace), 1993
L90 (Ballena) Female born to L26 (Baba), 1993
L87 (Onyx) Male born to L32 (Olympia), 1992

L86 (Surprise) Female born to L4 (Sonar), her fourth calf, 1991
J26 (Mike) Male born to J16 (Slick), her first calf, 1991
J27 (Blackberry) Male born to J11 (Blossom), her second calf, 1991
L82 (Kasatka) Female born to L55 (Nugget), her second calf, 1990
L83 (Moonlight) Female born to L47 (Marina), her first calf, 1990


Since 1990, 112 orcas have gone missing/have died:

K26 (Lobo) Male born 1993 to K14 (Lea), her third calf, 1993; missing Oct. 2024
L128
(unnamed) Gender unknown, born to L90 (Ballena), her first calf, Sept. 2024; missing Oct. 2024

L85 (Mystery) Male, born to L28, last seen Nov., 2023, (age 33)
J60
(unnamed) Male, born to (unknown), Dec. 2023, last seen January 7, 2024; missing Jan. 27 (age ~1 month)
K34 (Cali) Male born 2001 to K13 (Skagit), her fourth calf, last seen Aug., 2023
K44 (Ripple) Male born 2011 to K27, last seen Nov., 2021 (age 11)
L89 (Solstice) Male born 1993 to L22, last seen Nov., 2021 (age 28)

L47 (Marina) Female born 1974 to L21, missing Sept., 2021 (age 47)
K21 (Cappuccino) Male born 1986 to K18, missing July 29, 2021 (age 35)
L41 (Mega) Male born 1977 to L11, missing Jan. 28, 2020 (age 42)
L84 (Nyssa) Male born 1990 to L51, missing Aug. 6, 2019 (age 29)
K25 (Scoter) Male born 1991 to K13, missing Aug. 6, 2019 (age 28)

J17 (Princess Angeline) Female born 1977 to J5, her second calf, missing August 6, 2019 (age 42)
J50 (Scarlet) Female born December, 2014 to J16 (Slick), her sixth calf, missing Sept 13, 2018 (age 3)
L92 (Crewser) Male born 1995 to L60 (Rascal) (found on outer WA coast May 2002 at age 30), missing June, 2018 (age 23)
J52 (Sonic) Male born late March, 2015 to J36 (Alki), declared missing Sept. 2017 (age 2)
K13 (Skagit) Female born est. 1972 (mother unknown), missing Winter, 2017 (age 45)

J2 (Granny) Female born approx. 1911, missing Jan. 2017 (age est. 105)
J34 (Doublestuf), Male born to J22 (Oreo), her first calf, born 1998, found deceased Dec. 20, 2016 (age 18)
J54 (Dipper) Male born to J28 (Polaris) in December, 2015, her second calf, missing Oct. 2016 (age 10 months)
J28 (Polaris) Female born to J17 (Princess Angeline) in 1993, her first calf, missing Oct. 2016 (age 23)
J14 (Samish) Female born 1974 to J12, missing August, 2016 (age 42)

L95 (Nigel) Male born 1996 to L43 (Jellyroll), found deceased March 30, 2016 (age 20)
J55 unk., born Jan., 2016 to either J14, J37 or J40, missing January 19, 2016 (newborn)
L27 (Ophelia) Female born 1965 (est.), mother unk., missing Summer, 2015 (age est. 50)
J32 (Rhapsody) Female born to J20, 1996; found deceased with fetus Dec. 4, 2014 (age 18)
L120 unk., born to L86, (Surprise!), her second calf, early Sept., 2014, missing Oct. 17, 2014 (age 1 mo.)

L53 (Lulu) Female born 1977 to L7 (Canuck), missing Summer, 2014 (age 37)
L100 (Indigo) Male born 2001 to L54 (Ino), missing Summer, 20(age 13)
J8 (Speiden) Female born est. 1933 to ?, missing Fall, 2013 (age est. 80)
L79 (Skana) Male born 1989 to L22 (Spirit), missing Summer, 2013 (age 24)
L26 (Baba) Female born est. 1956 to ?, missing Spring, 2013 (age est. 57)

L2 (Grace) Female born est. 1960 to ?, missing Fall, 2012 (age est. 52)
L78 (Gaia) Male born 1989 to L2 (Grace), missing Summer, 2012 (age 23)
K40 (Raggedy) Female born est. 1963 to suspected K18 (Kiska), missing Spring, 2012 (age est. 49)
L5 (Tanya) Female born est. 1964 to ?, missing Spring, 2012 (age est. 48)
L12 (Alexis) Female born est. 1933 to ?, missing Spring, 2012 (age est. 79)

J30 (Riptide) Male born to to J14 (Samish), missing 2012 (age 16)
L112 (Victoria/Sooke) Female born to L86, Feb. 2009; found deceased Feb. 11, 2012 at Long Beach, WA (age 3)
J48 unk., born Dec. 2011 to J16 Slick her fifth calf, missing Jan. 2012 (age 1 month)
J1 male (Ruffles) born est. 1951, missing Nov. 2010 (age est. 59)
L7 (Canuck) Female born +/- 1961; missing Sept. 2010 (age est. 49)

J33 (Keet) Male born 1996 to J16 (Slick), her second calf, missing August 2010 (age 14)
K11 (Georgia) Female born est. 1933; missing June 2010 (age est. 77)
L114 unk., born to L77 (Matia) her second calf, missing June 2010, (age 4 months)
L73 (Flash) Male born 1986 to L5 (Tanya), missing May 2010 (age 24)
L74 (Saanich) Male born 1986 to L3 (Oreana), missing late 2009/early 2010 (age 23)

L57 (Faith) Male born 1977 to L45 (Asterix), missing Nov. 2008 (age 31)
L67 (Splash) Female born 1985 to L2 (Grace), missing Sept. 2008 (age 23)
L111 Female born to L47 (Marina) her fifth calf Aug. 12, 2008, missing late Aug. 2008 (age <1 mo)
J11 (Blossom) Female born +/- 1972 est. to J4 missing July 2008 (age est. 36)
L21 (Ankh) Female born +/- 1950; missing summer 2008 (age est. 58)

L101 (Aurora) Male born 2002 to L67 (Splash), her second calf; missing summer 2008 (age 6)
K7 (Lummi) Female born +/- 1910, missing spring, 2008. (age est. 98)
J43 unk., born to J14 (Samish), her fifth calf, in 11/07; missing April 2008 (age 5 months)
L104 unk., born Oct. 2004 to L43 (Jelly Roll) her third calf, missing June 2007 (age 2)
K41 unk., born Nov. 2006 to K22 (Sekiu), her second calf, missing Dec. 2006 (age 4 months)

K39 unk., born Sept. 2006 to K28 (Raven) her first calf, missing Oct. 21, 2006 (age 4 months)
K28 (Raven) Female born to K12 (Sequim), last seen Sept. 19, 2006 (age 12)
L43 (Jellyroll) Female born ca. 1972, last seen Sept. 2, 2006, (age est. 34)
L71 (Hugo) Male born to L26 (Baba), missing summer 2006 (age 20)
L98 (Luna) Male born 1999 to L67 (Splash), March 10, 2006 in Nootka Sound, BC after separation from pod at 18 months (age 7)

K31 (Tatoosh) Male born 1999 to K12 (Sequim) her third calf, missing Oct. 2006 (age 7)
L32 (Olympia) Female born est. 1955, missing summer 2005 (age est. 50)
L107 unk., born to L47 (Marina) June, 2005, her fifth calf, missing summer 2005 (infant)
K18 (Kiska) Female born +/-1948, missing December, 2003 (age est. 55)
L58 (Sparky) born 1980 to L5 (Tanya), missing June 2003 (age 23)

L3 (Oreana) Female born +/-1950, missing 2002 (age est. 53)
L102 unk. born to L47 (Marina), her fourth calf, missing Dec. 3, 2002 (age 1 month)
L60 (Rascal) Female born 1972, washed up on outer WA coast May 2002 (age 30)
K32 born 2000 to K16 (Opus), last seen 2001 (infant)
L99 unk. born 2000, to L47 (Marina), last seen 2001 (infant)

L62 (Cetus) Male born 1980 to L27 (Ophelia), last seen 2000 (age 20)
L39 (Orcan) Male, born 1975 to L2 (Grace), last seen 2000 (age 25)
L11 (Squirty) Female born 1957, last seen 2000 (age 43)
L1 (Oskar) Male born est. 1959, last seen 2000 (age est. 41)
J18 (Everett) Male born 1977 to J10 (Tahoma), found deceased at Tsawassen, Canada March 2000 (age 23)

J10 (Tahoma) Female born est. 1962, last seen 1999 (age est. 37)
K4 (Morgan) Female born est. 1933, last seen 1999 (age est. 66)
L97 unk. born 1999 to L51 (Nootka), died Oct. 1999 (infant)
L51 (Nootka) Female born 1973, found deceased at Race Rocks, Canada in Sept 1999 (age 26)
J11's calf, unk. born to J11 (Blossom) 1998, died Dec. 1998 (infant)

L93 (Nerka) Female born 1995 to L27 (Ophelia), last seen 1998 (age 3)
L38 (Dylan) Male born est. 1965, to L28 (Misky), last seen 1998 (age est. 33)
L44 (Leo) Male born 1974 to L32 (Olympia), last seen 1998 (age 24)
K3 (Sounder) Female born est. 1954, last seen 1998 (age est. 44)
J20 (Ewok) Female born 1981 to J10 (Tahoma), last seen 1998 (age 17)

J6 (Ralph) Male born 1956 (est.), mother unknown, last seen 1998 (age 42)
K29 (Sigurd) Male born 1996 to K3 (Sounder), last seen 1998 (age 2)
J5 (Saratoga) Female born est. 1938, J9 (Neah) possible mother, last seen 1997 (age 59)
L10 (Okum) Male born est.1959 to L12 (Alexis) (probable mother), last seen 1997 (age 38)
L96 (Bernardo) Male born 1996 to L55 (Nugget), last seen 1997 (age 1)

K1 (Taku) Male born 1955 est. K7 (Lummi) probable mother, last seen 1997 (age 42)
J12
(Sissy) Female born 1935 est., to J2 (Granny), (possible mother), last seen 1996 (age 61)
L9 (Hopi) Female born 1931 est. mother unknown, last seen 1996 (65)
L4 (Sonar) Female born 1949 est., mother unknown, last seen 1996 (age 50)
L35 (Victoria) Female born 1942 est., mother unknown, last seen 1996 (age 54)

J3 (Merlin) Male born 1953 est., to J7 (Sucia) (possible mother), last seen 1995 (age 42)
L45 (Asterix) Female born 1938 est., to L66 (Mata Hari) (probable mother), last seen 1995 (age 57)
L33 (Chinook) Male born 1963 est. to L3 (Oriana) (probable mother) last seen 1995
L68 (Elwha) Male born 1985 to L27 (Ophelia), last seen 1995 (age 10)
J4 (Mama) Female born 1957 est., mother unknown, last seen 1995 (age 38)

L63 (Scotia) Male born 1984 to L32 (Olympia), last seen 1995 (age 11)
K17 (Pacheena) Male born 1966 est., to K18 (Kiska) (probable mother), last seen 1994 (age 28)
L65 (Aquarius) Female born 1984 to L35 (Victoria), last seen 1994 (age 10)
L42 (Mozart) Male born 1973 est. to L11 (Squirty) (probable mother), last seen 1994 (age 31)
L28 Female born 1949 est., mother unknown, last seen 1994 (age 45)

J29 (Rigel) Male born 1993 to J19 (Shachi), last seen 1993 (age 1)
L80 (Odessa) Gender unknown, born 1990 to L27 (Ophelia), last seen 1993 (age 3)
L75 (Panda) Female born 1986 to L22 (Spirit) last seen 1993 (age 7)
J23 (Capricorn) Male born 1987 to J14 (Samish), last seen 1991 (age 4)
K5 (Sealth) Male born 1953 est., to K8 (Tumwater) (probable mother), last seen 1991 (age 38)