Trapped orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
ZEBALLOS — A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Ehattesaht First Nation Chief Simon John said the young killer whale swam to an area of the lagoon where members of the neighbouring Nuchatlaht First Nation tossed about 18 kilograms of seal meat into the water on Thursday evening.
They witnessed her grabbing the chunks in its mouth and diving below the surface. A video of the encounter was posted on Facebook.
“It was joy, really,” said John about the orca’s consumption of the seal meat. “It was what she needed. It’s the first time we’ve confirmed it. It brings us a little more comfort, for sure.”
Veterinarians have been closely monitoring the two-yearold whale for any signs of failing health and to see if she is feeding in the lagoon, about 450 kilometres northwest of Victoria.
She’s been trapped alone for four weeks since her mother was beached at low tide and died.
An initial attempt last Friday to corral the 700-kilogram orca so rescuers could take her to the open ocean failed when the calf refused to leave the deep parts of the lagoon.
John said the young orca’s decision to eat the seal meat, the preferred food of Bigg’s killer whales, will likely give the rescue team more time to prepare another rescue attempt.
“We’re looking at maybe a week,” he said, adding the First Nation will continue to try to feed the whale. “I think it is a good time for a rest.”
Paul Cottrell, a Fisheries Department marine mammal co-ordinator, said the feeding gives the rescue team more options and time.
“We’re really happy this is happening,” he said. “This is all good news. We’re really happy.”
He said the rescue team may now employ a “carrot option” to coax the orca to a shallow end of the lagoon or perhaps even out under the bridge leading to the open ocean by using seal meat as an attractant.
“It really is up to our female calf to see how she responds,” Cottrell said. “It gives us optimism.”
He said the rescue team was prepared to deploy Friday but stood down after the calf ate the seal meat.
Cottrell said health concerns for the calf, particularly changes in body condition near its blow hole, had been concerning veterinarians.
The Ehattesaht First Nation has said the rescue operation has been expensive for the band. John didn’t elaborate on the costs or the nation’s decision to start a GoFundMe campaign to help cover expenses.