_{Orca Mural, courtesy of Slightlynorth}

Lummi, the matriarch of one of the resident orca pods in the Puget Sound is presumed to be dead according to the Seattle P-I. (#) Though Lummi has been grayed out in the family tree charts of the K pod at the Center for Whale Research (#), she won’t be officially declared dead until she hasn’t been spotted for a full year.

Lummi (scientifically designated K-7), like all orcas, has a particular set of markings near her dorsal fin that allowed scientists to document her existence from photographs dating back to earlier decades, according to the naturalist at Deer Harbor Charters. Additionally, Lummi had no calves when the study began 32 years ago, according to The Seattle Times, putting her well into middle age then.

Orcas are classified primarily based on their diet and travel preferences. (#) The Center for Whale Research was instrumental in supporting the decision to list the southern resident orcas in the U.S. under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act in 2005. (#)

While 87 orcas remain among the “resident” population, including Lummi’s daugher Georgia (K-11), granddaughter Skagit (K-13), great-grandchildren Spock (K-20), Scoter (K-25), Deadhead (K-27) and Cali (K-34), and great-great grandchild Comet (K-38), Lummi’s death will leave “Granny” (J-2), the matriarch of the J pod as the oldest surviving orca among them. The Seattle P-I did a six-part special report in 2006 featuring Granny to highlight some of the environmental pressures facing the orca population. (#)

Many of the issues raised in the P-I are still unsolved, but the southern resident population of orcas is facing even harder times due to the same salmon shortage that caused fishing restrictions earlier this year.

For more information about orcas in the Puget Sound, see the Center for Whale Research, and the Orca Network. Recent photos of Lummi can be found here.