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J1 was estimated to be the oldest male killer whale in the southern resident population, and possibly in the entire known Pacific Northwest orca population. Based on his size at the beginning of the Orca Survey study in 1976, his estimated birth year is 1951. That would have made him almost 60 years old at the time he was last seen in November of 2010. J1 has been known as Ruffles since the early days of killer whale research. His tall wavy dorsal fin, not only gave him his name, but also his fame. Possibly the easiest of all the southern residents to identify, J1 was a favorite whale for tourists and researchers alike. He was the first southern resident whale to be given an alphanumeric designation and lived the longest of the first individuals identified in the early 70's. The average life span for a male killer whale is approximately 30 years. J1 lived much longer than expected. Of course many of us hoped he would live forever, but we will remember him always. As the last to go of the first whales we ever knew, J1 passing is the end of an era. We can only hope the newer generations of killer whales will live and thrive as long as he did. |
 Gallery of some of our favorite J1 photos. |
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