"Ruffles" and "Granny". Photo courtesy of Sandy Buckley
The San Juan Islands are famous as the setting for the Pig War and for their orcas. Of those famous orcas, two are the most sought-after by visitors for sightings and as photo subjects. They are J1 and J2, also known as "Granny" and "Ruffles". They are the oldest members of their respective sexes in the Southern Resident population and our most well-known orcas. Granny is estimated to be 99 years old, and Ruffles, who is probably her son, is estimated to be 59 years old. Estimation is the best tool that researchers have for determining the age for many of these animals, but can be a highly unreliable scientific approach.
Population studies of this species did not start until 1974, so any orcas born prior to that date had to have their age estimated. From that time on every new calf born had its birth month and year recorded as part of the research program. For those individuals who were already adults in 1974, records containing any identifiable information about them were used. Photos, videos, lighthouse keeper reports, military reports or news from during the live captures were used as reference information. With all of those resources at hand, researchers could start to piece together the lives and therefore the ages of the older orcas. Thus, we have the estimated ages of the soldest male in our population, Ruffles, and the oldest known orca in the world and matriarch of J pod, Granny.
So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris, to all of you who never reveal your true age, thank you and we will...
See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist