Old Tom (orca)

Killer whale known to Australian whalers
the Northwest Atlantic orca frequently seen in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine

Old Tom ( 1860s/1895 – September 1930) was a male orca (killer whale) who cooperated with and assisted whalers in the port of Eden, New South Wales, on the southeast coast of Australia. Old Tom was believed to be the leader of a pod of orcas which helped the whalers by herding baleen whales into Twofold Bay. This pod was also known as "the killers of Eden". On 17 September 1930, Old Tom was found dead in Twofold Bay. Before his death, he was thought to be over 90 years old, assisting three generations of the Davidson family whalers. Examination of his teeth indicated he died around age 35, but this method of age determination is now believed to be inaccurate for older animals. Old Tom's bones were preserved and his skeleton is now on display in the Eden Killer Whale Museum. Old Tom measured 22 feet (7 m) and weighed 12,000 pounds (6 tons), with a 1.01 m skull and teeth about long.

The Davidson family was the only group of whalers that resided in Eden year round. and whalers began with the Katunga, the Indigenous Australian whalers. The Katunga, translated to "sea coast people" or "saltwater people", saw orcas as their reincarnated ancestors, whalers in particular, due to the similarity in coloration of the orcas and the traditional black and white clothing worn during their corroboree ceremonies. Orcas were seen as "working dogs": playful, helpful, and friendly. The family utilized row boats and harpoons and did not advance with newer, more effective equipment, such as hand guns and motor boats. They indicated this was to protect the orcas from loud sounds and also to not scare them away. Indigenous Australian men were employed in the Davidson whaling crew, which is one factor that kept the Davidson whaling station going for so long. They were employed on the same terms as whites, which is one of the reasons the relationship between the orcas and the Davidson whalers was established. The primary target of the orcas on most species of whales, specifically the baleen whales, are the tongue, the lips and the genital region.

According to Davidson family history, Old Tom was known to them for 80 years and was present for the baleen whale migration seasons from the 1860s until his death in September 1930. His pod consisted of 20–30 orcas. the pod would divide into three groups.

Old Tom was found dead on 17 September 1930 by George Davidson in the southern part of Twofold Bay.

Old Tom's age has been the subject of debate. Determining the exact age of orcas in the wild was not possible until the 21st century. The cross section of the teeth is often used to determine the age, similar to how the rings in the tree trunks are used to determine the tree's age. Beyond the permanent exhibitions of the history of Eden and Old Tom, there are travelling exhibitions. The main attraction of the museum is the preserved skeleton of Old Tom.