(Zeballos) The rescue operation for the orca trapped off Vancouver Island has been suspended after the animal began eating seal meat again.
Ehattesaht First Nation Chief Simon John said the young killer whale swam to an area of the lagoon where members of the neighboring Nuchatlaht First Nation dumped about 18 kilograms of seal meat into the water, Thursday evening.
“It was really joyful,” Mr. John said. It was the first time she had eaten seal meat. It was what she needed. It brings us a little more comfort, that’s for sure. »
Vets are closely monitoring the two-year-old whale for any signs of failing health and to see if it will feed again in the lagoon 450 kilometers northwest of Victoria.
She’s been stuck alone for four weeks, ever since her mother ran aground at low tide and died.
Last Friday, a first attempt to capture the 700-kilogram orca so rescuers could take it into the open sea failed when the animal refused to leave the depths of the lagoon.
John said having the young orca return to eating seal meat, the preferred food of transient killer whales, will give the rescue team more time to prepare another rescue attempt.
“We are planning to do the next test within a week,” he said, adding that the members of this First Nation would continue to try to feed the whale.
Paul Cottrell, head of marine mammals at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is pleased with the pause in the rescue operation as it will give the team more options and time.
“We are really happy. This is good news. »
Friday in Victoria, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured that he had ensured that the Department of Fisheries contacted the community and that it would continue its engagement with it.
“We are all following this story carefully. It is heartbreaking and we are all worried,” he said.
Mr John did not give details of the costs of the rescue efforts. The Government of Canada has launched a “Go Fund Me” campaign to help cover the costs of this delicate operation.