The Skeena
The young orca whale who has been trapped in a lagoon in Zeballos since last month finally swam out to the ocean Friday morning.
Rescue teams have been working around the clock over the past few weeks to try and coax kʷiisaḥiʔis or Brave Little Hunter over an obstructive sandbar and out of the lagoon. She has been trapped there since March 23, when her pregnant mother became stranded and later drowned despite rescue attempts by locals. It appears now that the young orca swam out during high tide at around 2:30 AM on April 26.
“This morning they will encourage her out toward the open ocean where it is hoped that Brave Little Hunter’s calls will now be heard by her family.”
Ehattesaht First Nation
In a statement, the Ehattesaht First Nation said the two-year-old calf’s exit began as she was “breaching and playing at the end of the lagoon near the causeway bridge.”
“And after most everyone had left to get some sleep, the small group who remained stood as witnesses to watch her swim under the bridge and down the inlet,” the statement read. “The team later found her in Espinosa Inlet and followed her from a distance as she moved toward Esperanza Inlet proper. This morning they will encourage her out toward the open ocean where it is hoped that Brave Little Hunter’s calls will now be heard by her family.”
A Marine Mammal Rescue team composed of whale experts and DFO are following the orca calf, ensuring she swims safely out to sea and reconnects with her family pod. The Ehattesaht First Nation asks that the public stay away from the area during this time.
Bay Cetology has been identifying and tracking her family pod using publicly sourced photos uploaded to their AI algorithm.
On April 12, we reported that rescue efforts had been paused after more than one unsuccessful attempt to capture and lift the juvenile whale out of the lagoon. After she was not seen hunting, she was being fed by the Ehattesaht First Nation with seal meat to ensure she stayed healthy.
For more info, follow the Strong Coast Facebook page where updates are being posted regularly.
