Luna, the Orphaned Orca

Luna's History

L-98 (Luna), the four-year-old son of L-67 (Splash), somehow became separated from his family in late 2001 and has been living as an orphan in Nootka Sound, British Columbia, ever since. Before the discovery that he was alive, Luna was among seven Southern Residents that researchers claimed were missing and presumed dead. (The other six were never found.)

Until late last year Canadian authorities maintained a hands-off strategy with Luna, reasoning that as long as he appears healthy, continues to feed himself and is left undisturbed by humans, they would not intervene.

Unfortunately, over the last three years the situation has degenerated. As a highly intelligent and social animal living separately from his family, Luna seeks attention wherever he can find it--and humans have been far too willing to give it. Now that the young orca is growing bigger his interactions with humans have increased. Luna has become a danger to humans and humans have become a danger to him. Moreover, researchers fear that the longer he attempts to bond with boaters and other humans he will lose his ability to interact with his own species.

Relocation Plan Update

In October 2003 and again in April 2004, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed that Luna was to be relocated from Nootka Sound and a reintroduction with his family pod would be attempted. Originally DFO requested that private parties submit proposals and funding plans to implement the relocation plan. However, funding and liability issues created delays and DFO became concerned that a competent plan could not be carried out in 2003 before L Pod left for the winter. Meanwhile, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced a commitment to contribute $100,000 (US) for relocation efforts, and the Canadian Government announced a match of $135,000 (Canadian) but would wait until spring of 2004 to make the move. A relocation plan was attempted in June 2004, but failed. (For more information, see Reunite Luna.) Luna remains in Nootka Sound, and DFO enforcement officers are monitoring his situation and intervening if needed, when possible. Recently, DFO created a framework agreement with leaders of Vancouver Island First Nations to jointly monitor Luna. But for now, Luna's future is unknown.

A great many people hope that Luna will be relocated this fall, and a need for continued fund-raising still exists. Keep checking our News section for updates.

The Whale Museum's Involvement

The Whale Museum's Soundwatch Boater Education Program, the Veins of Life Watershed Society's Marine Mammal Monitoring Program, and Straitwatch of Johnstone Strait have been working together to help the orphaned orca through the Luna Stewardship Project.

Since July 2002, Luna Stewardship Project members have educated residents and visitors about the orca and tried to prevent human and boat interactions with him. They have produced posters and flyers and patrol the area to warn boaters to stay away from Luna. The Museum's Soundwatch Coordinator, Kari Koski, has spent much time on the project, both on the water in Nootka Sound and also performing numerous administrative tasks.

The Museum's Director, Dr. Richard Osborne, is also a member of the scientific panel advising Fisheries and Oceans Canada and is an expert consultant for NMFS.

Moreover, The Whale Museum serves as the U.S. receiver of donations for the Luna Stewardship Project.

If You Wish to Help

Contribute to the reintroduction of Luna through the Luna Stewardship Project. Restricted accounts have been established just for reintroduction activities.

You can donate two ways--either online through PayPal or by mail.

Click this link to donate online now!

Or mail your contribution to one of the addresses below:

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre Attention: Help Rescue Luna PO Box 3232 Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X8 Canada	The Whale Museum Luna Stewardship Fund PO Box 945 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 USA
1 (800) 663-0562	1 (800) 946-7227, ext. 24
http://www.vanaqua.org	http://www.whalemuseum.org

Donations to either of the above accounts will be made available for the reunification plan for L-98 and may be used as potential matching funds for U.S. and Canadian Federal contributions where applicable.

Donations will be used for boat expenses, temporary net pens, transportation, health testing, and rental or purchase of necessary supplies, equipment and services such as monitoring, stewardship and enforcement.

Fund-raising still continues for reintroduction efforts. All funds raised through the restricted Luna Stewardship Project Reintroduction accounts will be applied towards reintroduction efforts only.

Stay Up to Date

If you would like to keep up to date on news about Luna, visit our News section regularly and see Reunite Luna. Find our archived Luna stories here.

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Page last updated 7/29/04

Photos by Diane Guardetto and Kari Koski, © 2003 The Whale Museum