Canada
Related: About this forumOrca's ocean escape from B.C. lagoon will be talked about for generations, says First Nation
An orphaned killer whale calf's escape from a remote Vancouver Island tidal lagoon, where it had been trapped for more than a month, is likely to reverberate for First Nations in Canada, according to those involved in the rescue.
The orca has been the focus of intense rescue efforts since March 23, when her pregnant mother became stranded on a rocky beach and died near the bridge in the small inlet next to the community of Zeballos, B.C., more than 450 kilometres northwest of Victoria.
The calf, named kʷiisaḥiʔis or Brave Little Hunter by First Nations, chose a "clear and glass-calm, star-filled night" at about 2:30 a.m. PT to swim under a bridge and down the inlet, according to a joint statement from the Ehattesaht and Nuchatlaht First Nations.
The young orca's behaviour changed almost at the moment she passed under the bridge and headed for the open ocean, said Paul Cottrell, a marine mammal co-ordinator with the Fisheries Department.
snip
"Her behaviour, her acoustics changed. She actually sped away from the boat and moved into Esperanza Inlet and really took off from the group."
more
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/orca-escape-generational-impact-1.7187235
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Baitball Blogger
(47,411 posts)Like, maybe she heard the sounds from her pod?
Spazito
(52,962 posts)that would be wonderful. Her family pod returns to that area around every two weeks and they had been away almost that amount of time so it is certainly possible. My fingers are crossed.
Bev54
(11,282 posts)I have been following this on my FB feed almost daily, it has taken a lot of time and the rescuers feeding her seal to coax her close to the opening of the inlet. Very happy she finally took the opportunity to go out as all the other attempts to catch her and manually move her out were unsuccessful, she is a very wily little orca.
Spazito
(52,962 posts)it tells us she is a tough, smart little one and is most likely going to be a survivor against all odds.
niyad
(117,641 posts)her with her family.
BobTheSubgenius
(11,710 posts)Keeping creatures that roam as they do penned up is horrible - especially when they're used to wring a few dollars out of tourists.
On a related note - a friend of mine used to own the hotel in Zeballos. It was an experience, let me tell you. Reminiscent of Schitt's Creek, but with added alcohol.
Farmer-Rick
(10,887 posts)I just watched Blackfish on Hulu and did not realize how horribly Sea World and other Orca shows treat these wild animals.
There's a reason they get dorsal fin collapse disorder when they are held in captivity and for Killer Whales attacking boats. They are very intelligent animals and know humans are taking away their young.
Anyway, thank goodness Sea World didn't show up to capture her. So glad indigenous peoples are protecting these beautiful wild animals.
Spazito
(52,962 posts)it is believed, when one is seen offshore, they are a deceased human or chief trying to communicate with loved ones.
niyad
(117,641 posts)and Tantoo Cardinal. A whale beaches in a First Nations community inlet, and the people believe it is the spirit of their chief, who had just recently died. Part of the film centered on their desire to let Luna stay with them, and the officials' desire to remove it.I am going to look for it again, in honour of Brave Little Hunter.
Spazito
(52,962 posts)I'm not sure I've seen it. I'll definitely put it on my list to watch now. Thanks for the tip!
niyad
(117,641 posts)on youtube. Watching it now.