This page is dedicated to the Alaskan resident individuals who have died without being known individuals in the population
Number of Individuals: 0 (0 living; 0 deceased)
NOTE ON AGES: Some ages have been estimated based on a calculated growth rate from captive Pacific killer whales of 38cm/yr until ages 12-16 in males and 9-12 in females (see sources for further info). Thus, if the length was > 6.9m, the individual was likely older than 12-16 at the time of death. If the length was <6.9m, age was calculated as: (length - 2.4)/0.38
20050826/0225054/26-Aug- 05,GBNP- 00 (Female; ~2002?-2005 (<1?))
Calf who was likely part of AF or AG pods. Was found deceased on August 26, 2005, on the Northeast side of Young Island, Alaska, which is part of the Beardslee Islands within the Glacier Bay National Monument. Was 3.575m long and died from a halibut hook-caused septicemia and pharyngitis infection (sepsis). Had Anasakis simplex parasites in her stomach, proximal duodenum, and lumen of the gall bladder, as well as Odhneriella subtila parasites in her small intestine. Age was calculated to be ~3 years old
2011020/UAMMamm:113864/20110522 (Male; ~2010?-2011 (~1?))
Found deceased on the southeast side of Haines, Alaska, on May 24, 2011. Was 2.794m long, and cause of death was determined to be from a congenitally deformed jaw (brachygnathia) that led to starvation as his upper jaw was ~8cm longer than his lower jaw. Age was calculated to be ~1 year. Was originally thought to be a northern resident, but a later study listed him as an Alaskan resident.
2012010/UAMMamm:124580 (Female; ~2012?-2012 (<1?))
Was found decased in Sitka, Alaska on March 29, 2012. Was 2.495m long and her age was calculated to be ~3 months old
2017053/20170612 (Male; ~2007?-2017 (~10?))
Found deceased on Knight Island, Alaska on June 12, 2017. Was 6.3m long, and age was calculated to be ~10.3 years. Cause of death unknown, but was thought to be nutritional. Was found with 42 magister armhook squid (Berryteuthis magister) beaks, 2 small fish worth of vertebrae, and a small crab (family Oregoniidae) within his stomach
2021017 (Unknown; ~2011?-2021 (~9?))
Was found deceased on Ogliuga Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska on May 5, 2021. Was 6.1m long and age was calculated to be ~9.7 years. Was found with otiliths from 2 unidentified fish, the clawed armhook from an unknown squid species, a clawed armhook/black-eyed squid (Gonatus onyx ), and two squid from the genus Gonatus in his stomach.
Photo Credit: Pathology findings and correlation with body condition index in stranded killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the northeastern Pacific and Hawaii from 2004 to 2013 (Raverty et al., 2020)
2011020/UAMMamm:113864/20110522