Plans are underway to transport a stranded killer whale calf from a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island in northern Canada to reunite the young orca with his extended family
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Plans are underway to airlift a stranded killer whale calf from a remote tidal lagoon on northern Vancouver Island to reunite the young orca with its extended family, Canadian authorities said Wednesday.
Canadian Fisheries Department and First Nations officials said the plan was to place the two-year-old calf in a sling, lift it from the lagoon by helicopter and place it in a net pen in the ocean while they waited for its arrival Family group there is close before publication.
Rescuers were unable to lure the young whale out of the area because its pregnant mother became stranded in the lagoon during low tide and died on March 23.
The plan was agreed upon during a meeting between members of the Ehattesaht First Nation Council, Fisheries Ministry officials and marine engineering experts.
Ehattesaht First Nation Chief Simon John said his people have deep cultural and spiritual connections to orcas and the nation has received calls of concern and support from around the world.
Paul Cottrell, marine mammal coordinator at the Department of Fisheries, said the rescue could happen within a few days, but more likely within the next two weeks.
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