July 16, 2007

AQUARIUM CELEBRATES SPRINGER’S 5TH ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING REUNION

Vancouver, BC: The Vancouver Aquarium, along with the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service and the Springer Reunion Committee, traveled to Telegraph Cove July 13-15 to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the reunion of orphaned killer whale Springer with her pod.

In 2002, scientists noticed that the juvenile Springer, or A73, was alone in Puget Sound and showing signs of distress after being separated from her pod. Through discussions with the Canadian government, the NOAA decided to attempt to reunite her with her Canadian pod and recruited the help of the Vancouver Aquarium, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as non-profit organizations in Washington State.

Springer was placed in a specially-built holding pen at a US National Marine Fisheries Service facility near Seattle, WA, where she was treated for a skin disorder, intestinal worms and ketosis. After a month of medical treatment, she recovered and was relocated to B.C.’s Dong Chong Bay on Hanson Island, where she was successfully reunited with her pod.

Several organizations that supported Springer’s successful rescue joined together again to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the event with a variety of activities in Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island, B.C. The weekend featured a panel discussion, which included Aquarium senior researcher and renowned whale expert Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard sharing his expertise, and a boat trip to see where the whale was released, where Springer was spotted with her family. Also attending the reunion was the Aquarium’s retired veterinarian Dr. Dave Huff, who assisted with doing medical evaluations of Springer and helped with her rehabilitation.

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For further information, please contact:

Brenda Jones

Manager, Public Relations

publicrelations@vanaqua.org