Lady Oracle is a matriarchal figure in the unit who embodies a strong, protective, and serious demeanor. We have found Lady Oracle to be more reserved compared to other members of Unit A. She is an experienced mother, having given birth to Allan, Rounder, and Aurora within the past sixteen years. Lady Oracle became a grandmother in 2017, with the birth of Rounder’s calf, Accra.

Based on review of imagery collected in November of 2021, we believe that Lady Oracle had given birth to a calf earlier that year. She was observed on several days traveling in the company of a small calf whose blocky head indicated that the little whale was likely a male. During an extended swim-along encounter, we recorded her nursing the calf. 

Ever protective and vigilant, Lady Oracle focused her attention and effort on the responsibilities associated with caretaking all three of the new calves in the unit. She was seen babysitting the baby whales while the other mothers took breaks to sleep or hunt.

We are saddened to report that Lady Oracle’s calf was absent during our following field session in late 2022, presumably because the small whale did not survive. It is interesting to note that Allan was still present and had remained close to his family despite being old enough to have safely departed the social unit. 

Allan was born to Lady Oracle in 2008, and it is conceivable that his delayed departure may have provided comfort to his mother and social unit after the death of his tiny sibling.