Meet the Killers

Eden’s Killer Whales

At times the pod numbered up to 36. However with few records available we only have names for 21 of the killer whales that were recognisable and known by name.

Hooky’s sub-pod is the only one where the members are known for certain. The other pods are probabilities based on research. It is unknown why Cooper’s sub-pod had all left by 1912. However it is assumed that the decline in number of their main source of food (migrating baleen whales) led to their departure from the area.

In the early years of Eden whaling in the 1840s there were reportedly around 50 killers spread through 3 main pods. All three pods cooperated together. One pod stationed far out to sea would drive whales in towards the coast, another pod would attack the whale and another pod would be stationed ahead of the whale in case it broke loose.

Stranger

1840’s – 1907
Pod Leader until 1907

Hooky

1850’s – 1926
Pod Leader 1907-1926

Cooper

1850’s – 1900’s

Sub-pod Leader of:

Typee

1840’s – 1901

Tom

1870’s – 1930

Albert

Late 1800’s – left by 1912

Youngster

Present in 1900s

Humpy

1870’s – 1920’s

Big Jack

Late 1800’s – left by 1912

Jackson

Had left Eden by 1912

Big Ben

1860’s – early 1900’s

Jimmy

Late 1800’s left by 1912

Brierly

1899 – 1912

Young Ben

Had left Eden by 1912

Little Jack

Early 1900’s – left by 1912

Sharkey

No dates

Charlie Adgery

Had left by 1923

Skinner

Early 1900’s – left by 1912

Montague

No dates

Kinscher

Had left by 1923

Walker

Early 1900’s – left by 1912

Stranger

1840’s – 1907
Pod Leader until 1907

Sub-pod Leader of:

Typee

1840’s – 1901

Youngster

Present in 1900s

Jackson

Had left Eden by 1912

Brierly

1899 – 1912

Sharkey

No dates

Montague

No dates

Hooky

1850’s – 1926
Pod Leader 1907-1926

Sub-pod Leader of:

Tom

1870’s – 1930

Humpy

1870’s – 1920’s

Big Ben

1860’s – early 1900’s

Young Ben

Had left Eden by 1912

Charlie Adgery

Had left by 1923

Kinscher

Had left by 1923

Cooper

1850’s – 1900’s

Sub-pod Leader of:

Albert

Late 1800’s – left by 1912

Big Jack

Late 1800’s – left by 1912

Jimmy

Late 1800’s left by 1912

Little Jack

Early 1900’s – left by 1912

Skinner

Early 1900’s – left by 1912

Walker

Early 1900’s – left by 1912

To learn more of the fascinating history and hear the stories of those who witnessed the events, watch the award-winning ABC documentary Killers in Eden

To discover the unique sounds of killer whales, follow the interesting link below:-

https://www.orcaresearch.org/index.php/audio-2

Check in on the live camera to see if orca are having a body rub on a pebbly seafloor of Hanson Island, British Columbia

https://explore.org/livecams/orcas/orcalab-rubbing-beach-underwater