The world’s oldest killer whale, a 100-year-old animal affectionately known as Granny, is missing and presumed dead, scientists say.
Following Granny and other matriarch killer whales has shown their crucial role within the family group.
They guide the pod as it forages, take care of other females’ young calves and even feed the larger males, researchers said. These post-reproductive female leaders help their families to survive, and the advantage they offer could show what drives a species to evolve to stop reproducing.
“It was inevitable that this day was going to come but it is very sad news and a further blow to this population,” said Darren Croft from the University of Exeter in the UK, who leads this evolutionary biology research.