Orca pod's matriarch presumed dead

She never really admitted her age. But it's believed that "Lummi" — also known by the scientific designation K7 — was a great-great-grandmother who lived well into her 90s.

Lummi, a killer whale who scientists say is missing and presumed dead, was among the oldest of the approximately 90 orcas that frequent Washington waters each spring through fall.

Lummi "was clearly old when we began the study 32 years ago," said Ken Balcomb, senior scientist with the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor.

Observers noted that Lummi was not among the 19-member K pod that returned to the San Juans this year, a fact they now say means she likely died, her body drifting to the ocean bottom.

The social hierarchy of orca pods is structured around a matriarch — the most senior female — who makes all the decisions. Balcomb said Lummi's daughter will likely take the helm.

The death won't be officially recorded until later this year. But it's likely the population of K pod will remain steady; a new young whale in the group was observed in early June.

Lummi's advanced age was likely a factor in her death. "She was going to die sometime, but it's tragic any time," Balcomb said.

Orcas are suffering in general because of a salmon shortage, he said.

"We're seeing a huge change in their behavior," he said. "The whales are rarely coming to the inside waters now. It's like going to a grocery store that's empty."

After observing the orcas for more than 30 years, he said, it's painful when one of them dies. "They are like family members," Balcomb said.

Even when the study began, Lummi had no calves, indicating she was beyond a reproductive age, which for orcas can extend into the 40s. Based on that and observations of the social structure, scientists pegged her birth date at about 1910.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com