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Island orcas in captivity: Free them or not?
Not for a million bucks, say aquariums, contending it would be irresponsible
Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist
Published: Sunday, January 27, 2008
The answer is no. No to a million dollars, no to pressure from celebrities and no to the romantics who believe a fairy-tale ending is possible.
That's what Miami Seaquarium and SeaWorld San Diego are telling groups pressing for release of the only two surviving captured killer whales from waters in B.C. and Washington state -- despite support from actors such as Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford.
Each whale has its own group of supporters. The campaign to free Lolita, which is at Miami Seaquarium, is led by actor-producer Raul Julia-Levy and the Washington-based Orca Network. And the bid to free Corky, in San Diego, is led by Paul Spong of OrcaLab on Hanson Island, about 20 kilometres east of Port McNeill.
"It's really painful to see that beautiful animal contained in that stinky little tank," said Julia-Levy, who plans to lobby the U.S. Senate and use movie-industry contacts to get television exposure on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other programs.
The tale starts almost four decades ago.
Lolita, a member of the southern residents -- now classified as endangered in Canada and the U.S. -- was captured near Whidbey Island, Wash., in 1970 as a three-year-old. About 85 whales were driven into the cove, with boats, explosives and aircraft.
Four baby whales and a female drowned. Seven young whales were captured and sold to aquariums.
Corky, a member of the threatened northern residents, was captured in Pender Harbour in December 1969, along with five other orcas.
>From 1967 to 1975, more than 60 whales were captured in B.C. and Washington waters. As many as 13 died during the captures; most of the others died in captivity.
As Lolita and Corky approach old age, groups are trying to bring them back to home waters. Orca Network, for instance, has a net pen ready for Lolita in a San Juan Island bay, where her family, L Pod, hangs out in summer. "We would do it in the most conservative and professional way," said Howard Garrett of Orca Network, who has worked for Lolita's freedom since 1995.
Garrett hopes an offer of $1 million might sway Anheuser-Busch, owner of the Seaquarium. "We have a billionaire lined up," said Julia-Levy.
Spong would like to see Corky in an ocean net pen on northern Vancouver Island where she "can hear the natural sounds of the ocean again." "If they looked at Corky as an employee who has put in years of incredible service, they could give her the equivalent of a gold watch," he said.
"I think it would be long-term care in the ocean, but, my sense is, if she did come back to an ocean halfway house where she could hear the sounds of her relatives, it would be a transforming experience." But the aquariums say there is no chance either whale will be released.
There is no scientific evidence that Lolita could survive in the ocean, said Andrew Hertz, Miami Seaquarium general manager.
"It would be irresponsible for us to treat her life as an experiment and jeopardize her health and safety." Hertz said that Lolita will remain at the aquarium, "surrounded by people who love and protect her." Fred Jacobs, SeaWorld spokesman, said it will not consider the proposal. "We would consider it an act of cruelty" he said.
"She has spent virtually her entire life being cared for by humans and has none of the fear and natural suspicion she would need to survive in the wild. She's never had to hunt for food." jlavoie@tc.canwest.com