For the First Time, Scientists Unravel the Genetic Lineage of Australia’s Notorious Killer Whale, Old Tom

Following an intriguing tradition of Australia often embracing New Zealand’s notable figures, it has been revealed through DNA research that Old Tom, the celebrated leader of a killer whale pod renowned for their collaborative efforts with whalers in the 20th century, shares ancestral connections with contemporary killer whales in New Zealand.

Old Tom, the legendary leader of a killer whale pod, demonstrated ancestral ties to killer whales across Australasia, the North Pacific, and North Atlantic Oceans. Yet, he exhibited the strongest genetic resemblance to contemporary New Zealand killer whales. Curiously, a significant portion of Old Tom’s DNA, distinctive and unique, is notably absent in global killer whale populations, hinting at the possibility that the killer whales of Eden, Australia, may have vanished locally.

Referred to as the “Killers of Eden,” Old Tom and his kin were vital allies to whalers, aiding in the hunt for whales. In return, they received a unique compensation: the valuable lips and tongues from the harvested whale carcasses, a practice known as the “Law of the Tongue.”

The remarkable alliance between the whalers and Old Tom’s lineage endured and deepened over multiple generations of whalers. Weighing six tonnes and stretching 6.7 meters in length, Old Tom eventually came ashore in 1930 and now rests on exhibit at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

Under the guidance of Isabella Reeves, a Ph.D. candidate at Flinders University and the Cetacean Research Centre, an international research team embarked on an ambitious expedition. Their mission involved employing ancient DNA techniques to unravel the genetic ancestry of Old Tom. Through DNA sequencing and juxtaposing his genetic code with killer whales from around the world, they aimed to trace his unique lineage.

In a collaborative effort with Steven Holmes, a Thaua Traditional Custodian, the researchers have unearthed previously unrecorded insights, striving to illuminate and decolonize the history of the Killers of Eden.

Isabella Reeves, the lead researcher, explains that although the genetic comparisons didn’t uncover direct descendants of Old Tom, they did reveal that Old Tom shared a substantial portion of his DNA variation with other killer whales, strongly indicating that these whales may have locally gone extinct.

The killers of Eden represent a rare partnership between people and whales. It was an exciting journey to trace the genetic ancestry of Old Tom, in order to provide the first insights into the genetic history of this group that captured the hearts of the community and whale lovers.

Our research also delved into uncharted territory by unveiling a decolonised history. We collaborated with a Traditional Custodian, which gave us a fresh perspective on Eden’s whaling history to rectify historical inaccuracies and shed light on a crucial aspect of this unique story about the bond between their people and these whales. Importantly, we want to ensure this aspect of the story is acknowledged moving forward.

Isabella Reeves
The lead researcher

Within the region of Twofold Bay, the coastal Thaua people, who were a part of the Yuin nation, shared a profound connection with killer whales through their Dreaming, forming a relationship of great reverence. This connection held immense significance as the Thaua people depended on the ocean for their resources and livelihood.

It’s important that we recognise that Indigenous Australians initiated the relationship with the killer whales before European colonisation and the advent of commercial whaling locally. This study rectifies discrepancies in local records and provides new insight into the origins of the killer whales in Eden and the history of Australasian killer whales.

Isabella Reeves
The lead researcher

Traditional Custodian Steven Holmes emphasizes the enduring friendship between the Thaua people and the whales in Eden, with particular emphasis on their profound bond with Old Tom.

We consider beowas (Killer whales) to be our brothers. Our Dreamtime stories which connect us to the beowas, is that when a Thaua member dies, they are reincarnated as a beowa. The beowas remained part of the Thaua, even after passing. The beowas would help the men by herding the other whales in the bay of Turembulerrer (Twofold Bay) for the whalers to kill. The Indigenous whalers would reward the beowas the tongue of the dead whale. This was soon known as the Law of the Tongue.

Steven Holmes
Traditional Custodian

Resources

1. ^NEWSPAPER Flinders University News. (2023, October 16). Evolutionary secrets of Old Tom and the killer whales of Eden. Flinders University News. [Flinders University News]
2. ^JOURNAL Reeves, I. M., Totterdell, J., Betty, E. L., Donnelly, D., George, A. E., Holmes, S. J., Möller, L. M., Stockin, K. A., Wellard, R., White, C. M., & Foote, A. D. (2023). Ancestry testing of “Old Tom,” a killer whale central to mutualistic interactions with human whalers. Journal of Heredity. [Journal of Heredity]