Older female orcas, beyond being matriarchs and leaders, lead surprisingly rich lives. Dr. Deborah Giles of Wild Orca highlights that these post-menopausal females engage in sexual activity and play with younger males, possibly educating them. This behavior offers sensual pleasure without reproductive intent.
These orcas are repositories of knowledge, crucial for the survival of their pods, especially as dwindling food supplies due to damming rivers in Washington state threaten their population. They hold memories of a pre-disrupted world, guiding their families to traditional hunting grounds. The southern resident killer whale population, numbering only 73, faces increasing challenges, making the wisdom and leadership of these older females even more vital. Orcas have existed for over 50 million years, offering humans invaluable lessons in survival and ecological balance.