Luna to get a helping hand

Jeff Bell
Times Colonist

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

Team of marine biologists will try to reunite Luna with his pod.

CREDIT: Debra Brash, Times Colonist

With a financial boost from the public, Luna the lonely orca could soon be back in the embrace of his family, better known as L-pod.

A joint Canada/U.S. plan was laid out in Vancouver Monday to return the four-year-old whale to the family group he was separated from in 2001.

Luna, referred to as L98 in relation to his pod, has been leading a solitary life in Nootka Sound is well-known to the residents of Gold River.

The Canada/U.S. plan would see Luna captured and shipped under expert supervision to southern Vancouver Island waters to await the hoped-for appearance of L-pod during its seasonal movements. The Canadian government has already dedicated $130,000 to the project and the American government has earmarked $100,000 US, but at least another $250,000 is needed.

The Vancouver Aquarium, in co-operation with the Whale Museum in Friday Harbour, Wash., will fundraise to bring in the money, said Department of Fisheries and Oceans spokeswoman Lara Sloan.

"The move cannot proceed until we have all the financial resources in place," said Marilyn Joyce, DFO's marine-mammal co-ordinator.

"We really are targeting to have this program in place, ready to proceed operationally, by May the 15th. We think that's a critical time to have the money in place so that we can have this underway before the boating season. If the money is not raised by that period of time, we'll obviously have to consider what our options are.

"We're really hopeful that the Vancouver Aquarium with their expertise can achieve this."

In Gold River, residents are united in wanting what is best for Luna, who has become a favourite in the waterfront town, said Alberto Girotto, who works aboard the Gold River-based MV Uchuck III, a coastal freighter that plies the local waters.

"For Gold River people, first and foremost we want Luna to be with his pod. That's where he belongs."

Luna is "quite the character" and has endeared himself to many people, Girotto said.

Scientists concede that the relocation effort for Luna is not a guarantee, and Girotto said that if the plan fails some people around Gold River think the young orca should be returned there.

Reunification of the orphan killer whale Springer with its pod was successful in 2002 in Johnstone Strait. Joyce said hopes are high for a successful move involving Luna.

"DFO's priority here is maintaining public safety. The interactions that ... have been occurring in the past in Nootka Sound (involving Luna, boats and planes) have put the public and the whale at -risk. We cannot allow that to continue to happen.

"If Luna does not join his pod -- and in fact Springer's initial inclination was not to go over and have a happy reunion -- but he's able to remain a wild whale swimming around in his natural environment, then we're happy with that, too."

Vancouver Aquarium research scientist Lance Barrett-Lennard said Luna is healthier than Springer was and there is less uncertainly about moving him to a new location.

Like Springer, Luna will be captured, held in a container such as a net pen for veterinary checks, then she'll be picked up with a crane and put into a sling inside a box.

"In this case though, instead of using a great big, fast catamaran, we probably will use a truck to go from Gold River to the southern end of Vancouver Island."