Happy Holidays from J-2 (Granny) and the Whale Museum

Did you know that Granny’s estimated birth year is 1911? She is believed to be the oldest female in J, K, and L pods at over 105 years! She is still very active and often breaches. Here are some interesting facts about Granny:

• She is the matriarch of the Southern Resident Community, known as J Clan.
• Granny is one of the whales in the “Free Willy” movies.
• She has a distinct half-moon shaped notch on the trailing edge of her dorsal fin that makes her easy to identify.
• In addition to breaching, Granny is often seen cartwheeling like she is in the Holiday Greeting above.
• She is the honorary mayor of Eastsound, Washington.
• Granny is often in the lead and sometimes the first vocalization heard over the Lime Kiln hydrophone.
• Granny also likes to come in close along the west side of San Juan Island and has on many occasions been seen changing course to come in even closer as she and others pass by Lime Kiln lighthouse. 

Over these many years, thousands of people have had the opportunity to ‘meet’ Granny. We love our Granny!

(see more from the Whale Museum here)

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.