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British Columbia: DFO Authorizes Luna Relocation To Proceed |
| June 10, 2004 |
Source: Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
 | Luna's most recent interactions with boats and floatplanes have prompted officials to proceed with a planned relocation effort.
Photo: Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) today authorized the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre to begin the physical relocation of Luna, the lone juvenile killer whale that has resided in Nootka Sound, B.C. since 2001.
Luna’s interactions with boats and humans have raised safety concerns for both Luna (also known as L98) and local residents. In April, DFO announced a plan to attempt to reunite Luna with his family group, L-pod, but Luna’s interference with floatplanes and boats in Nootka Sound over the past week has pressed officials to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
An initial plan to reunite Luna with his pod depended on the remote possibility that L-pod would transit along the west coast of Vancouver Island and past Nootka Sound en route to the Juan de Fuca Strait. This plan was abandoned after L-pod was sighted traveling southbound along the east coast of Vancouver Island. Sightings of L-pod over the past few weeks have confirmed that the pod has returned to the Juan de Fuca Strait and Haro Strait for the summer.
After observing the movements of L-pod over the past few weeks, and confirming that plans are in place to proceed, DFO approved the initiation of Phase II, the physical relocation of Luna. Vancouver Aquarium staff continue to prepare the site and operational logistics for the safe capture, holding, and care of Luna. Public safety and the safety of the whale continue to be the operation’s top priorities.
The relocation will involve leading Luna into a floating net pen, a process which will likely require several days to allow Luna to become accustomed to the boat, log booms and other parts of the operation. Once in the net pen, a team of veterinarians and killer whale experts will evaluate his physical condition.
The success of this first part of the operation will depend, in part, on having a quiet and normal environment. For this reason, boats and aircraft will be excluded from the area, and the public is asked to stay well clear of the operation.
Once medical experts have cleared Luna for transport, he will be moved by road to Pedder Bay, near Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Luna will then be placed in another net pen in Pedder Bay until such time as acoustical contact can be made with his pod. At that time he will be released into the Juan de Fuca Strait.
Although all required funds are not in hand at this point, DFO and the Aquarium agree there are sufficient funds to begin the capture and transport of Luna to Pedder Bay. Overall funding needs ultimately depend on how long Luna is held in Pedder Bay before acoustic contact is made with his pod, and he can be released.
Given that it will be impossible to predict how long Luna will need to be held in Pedder Bay before L-pod moves within acoustic range, DFO and the Aquarium will continue to seek funding even as the operation proceeds.
DFO and its U.S. equivalent, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have each committed $130,000 CDN towards the operation. The Aquarium has also received $60,000 in cash donations $290,000 in in-kind donations. Despite an estimated shortfall of $60,000 that the Vancouver Aquarium is unable to cover, DFO and the Aquarium believe the operation must proceed immediately to ensure the safety of Luna and the public.
"The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is a self-supporting, non-profit institution,” said Dr. John Nightingale, President of the Vancouver Aquarium. “We are delighted to bring our expertise to the table to help with Luna’s relocation, but we cannot fund this project ourselves, and so we are asking the public for their assistance in helping this whale return to its pod.”
It is hoped that Luna will reunite with his family group and will no longer be a risk to the public. While a successful reintroduction cannot be guaranteed, scientists agree that this relocation effort will give Luna the best opportunity to reunite with his pod.
At present, the best way the public can help Luna is by staying away. Distractions by boats, aircraft or people may compromise Luna’s chances of being reunited with his family group.
The Vancouver Aquarium is leading fundraising efforts in collaboration with The Whale Museum in Friday Harbour, WA. The Vancouver Aquarium is now accepting donations toward Luna’s rescue through their Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program (1-800-663-0562).
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