L25 "Ocean Sun" (pronounced OW-shn SUN) is an approximately 96-year-old female Southern resident killer whale. She is considered the oldest living Southern resident and is believed to be the mother of Tokitae (Lolita). She is the sole survivor of her matriline, and now travels with the L11s.
Life History[]
Ocean Sun was already an adult when she was first seen and her birth year is estimated to be 1928.
It is believed Ocean Sun gave birth to L23 "Tsunami" in 1952 and Tokitae in 1966.
On August 8, 1970. Over 80 killer whales, along with Ocean Sun, were netted in Penn Cove, Washington. Airplanes, explosives and boats were used to corral the panicked whales. Ocean Sun was seen with a calf by her side while trapped in the nets.[1] During the selection process, five killer whales drowned in the nets, and seven others, were selected for aquariums. Winston, Tokitae (Lolita), Ramu IV, Jumbo , Lil' Nooka, Chappy and Clovis.
While Ocean Sun was later identified at this capture, she may have been at other captures as well.
In 1971, Ocean Sun became a grandmother when it is believed her presumed daughter Tsunami gave birth to L14 "Cordy." A few years later, Tsunami gave birth to L49 "Tarazed."
Ocean Sun's presumed grandchild Tarazed went missing in 1980. Two years later in 1982, Ocean Sun's presumed daughter Tsunami disappeared. On April 11th, 1989, a killer whale carcass identified as Cordy was found on Radar Beach.[2] A necropsy was performed, revealing that Cordy died from an intestinal infection. It was also found that his body contained abnormally high levels of mercury. At the time, it was the highest mercury level recorded in any cetacean.[3]
On August 18, 2023, Ocean Sun's presumed daughter Tokitae passed away at Miami Seaquarium from suspected renal failure. At the same time, 3000 miles away in the Salish Sea, a near-superpod gathering of the Southern Residents occurred. It has been noted in recent years that large gatherings of Southern Residents tend to coincide with births or deaths in the population. [4]
On November 3, 2024. Ocean Sun and the rest of L pod entered Penn Cove, Washington. This was the first time Southern resident killer whales have been documented in this area in over 50 years,[5] the last time being in 1971 when the L pod was driven into the cove and three calves, Kona, Kandu 2 and Kandu 3 were captured and sent to marine parks. As L-pod entered the cove, they very active, spyhopping, tail slapping and breaching.
Family[]
Ocean Sun was believed to be the mother of L23 "Tsunami," who had an estimated birth year of 1952.[6] Ocean Sun is also widely believed to be the mother of Tokitae, also known as Lolita, a killer whale who lived at the Miami Seaquarium and the last Southern Resident killer whale in captivity. [7] Tokitae, born in the late 1960s, was captured in Penn Cove, Washington on August 8th, 1970. With the capture of Tokitae, the death of Tsunami in 1982, and the death of Tsunami's two calves (L14 "Cordy" and L49 "Tarazed") in 1989 and 1980 respectively, Ocean Sun has no immediate family left.[6]
Galleries[]
- Photos of L25 Ocean Sun
- Videos of L25 Ocean Sun