The Globe and Mail, Thursday, July 17, 2003 - Page A3
By JANE ARMSTRONG

'Tis a season of woe for West Coast cetaceans
Orca won't avoid human interaction; dolphin in captivity yearns for company

VANCOUVER -- It's been a trying summer for two of B.C.'s most popular marine mammals.

First, Luna, the young male orca that's been hanging around a Vancouver Island dock for two years, was allegedly whacked in the head with a stick by a boater in what may be the West Coast's first case of whale rage.

Now, there are reports that Spinnaker, the Vancouver Aquarium's 15-year-old Pacific white-sided dolphin, is lonely and needs a companion. The aquarium's plan to buy some mates for the captive has, however, angered animal activists who want the city to alter its bylaws to prevent that.

Activist Annelise Sorg, who once called the popular aquarium a "whale jail," wants marine mammals barred for good from its pools and tanks. Ms. Sorg said it's cruel to keep whales and dolphins in captivity and force them to perform "stupid pet tricks" for rotating audiences.

But the more serious marine drama is being played out on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where a 700-kilogram southern resident killer whale has made a home out of a harbour near Gold River, a former mill town about 220 kilometres north of Victoria.

The solo calf showed up two years ago and quickly charmed Gold River residents, who named it Luna. Soon, townspeople and visitors were lining the dock with armchairs and binoculars to catch a glimpse of the playful orca as it chased boats in the harbour.

All that attention drew Luna closer to shore, where it began interacting with humans. People were spotted scratching its belly, tossing it cookies, even dangling children near its gaping jaws to snap photos.

Authorities feared Luna had lost its fear of humans and worried that it was only a matter of time before the orca had a run-in with a boat or float plane.

The confrontation occurred last Friday afternoon when a boater, under contract with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, was attempting to dock at Gold River at the same time Luna was splashing by the wharf.

DFO officials say that when the man couldn't dock, he beat the whale over the head with a stick. Witnesses called authorities, and an investigation is now under way.

Because the alleged assailant was working for the DFO, an independent investigator has been brought in to lead the probe.

If convicted, the man faces a maximum fine of $100,000 or six months in jail.

It is the second time a person has run into trouble for touching Luna. In May, Sandra Lynne Bohn was fined $100 for petting it.

DFO spokesman Ron Kehl blamed humans for Luna's fearlessness of boats and people. He said the department has done everything it can to dissuade interaction, including posting warning signs and laying charges.

Still Luna returns.

Last spring, the DFO convened a panel of scientists to discuss Luna's future. At first, there was talk of reuniting Luna with its pod, much as scientists rescued a sick and stranded orca from the waters off Seattle last summer.

But the panel decided not to intervene, largely because Luna is healthy and thriving.

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Ms. Sorg's campaign has reignited an age-old debate on the ethics of putting marine mammals on public display.

Animal activists say it's cruel to confine wild mammals to small tanks and pools; the aquarium says live animals are the best way to teach people about marine life.

Aquarium president John Nightingale said polls show a majority of people in the area support the aquarium's whales and dolphins.

Mr. Nightingale noted that the aquarium has always intended to bring in more dolphins, which would vastly improve Spinnaker's quality of life. He said: "If we add an animal would his life be immeasurably richer? Yes."

Jane Armstrong jarmstrong@globeandmail.ca

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