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CNN Live At Daybreak

Orphaned Orca to be Released in Canadian Waters

Aired July 12, 2002 - 06:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Washington state, the young killer whale that got stranded in Puget Sound back in January is getting a long ride home today. CNN's Lilian Kim is live in Manchester, Washington to give us an update -- good morning.

LILIAN KIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. This is the big day for the orphaned Orca. She is currently residing in an enclosed area in the waters behind me, and she appears to be in great shape for her long journey home.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIM (voice-over): Her worms are gone, so is her bad breath, and her itchy skin condition has disappeared. In fact, this 2-year-old orphaned Orca is so healthy, she is heading home to Canadian waters. Scientists call her A73, but she is also known as Springer or Boo, short for Baby Orphaned Orca.

DAVE HUFF, VANCOUVER AQUARIUM SCIENCE CENTRE: We screened exhaustively for virtually every pathogen imaginable in killer whales, and she came out perfectly clean.

KIM: The young killer whale first appeared near Seattle in January, after being separated from her family around the time of her mother's death. Last month, scientists captured the Orca, then moved her to a sea pen to give her medical attention. Now, with a clean bill of health, A73 will embark on a 350-mile journey in hopes of reuniting with her pod of extended family members.

MARILYN JOYCE, MAMMAL COORDINATOR, FISHERIES AND OCEANS: We want to ensure that her health is well enough that she can withstand the transportation, the relocation, and that she can go on and live without any human intervention for the rest of her life.

KIM: The 1,200-pound Orca will be taken by boat to the northeastern tip of Vancouver Island. The trip will take at least 10 hours. Scientists will place the whale inside this fiberglass and steel tank, which will be mounted on this high-speed Catamaran.

MATT NICHOLS, NICHOLS BROTHERS BOAT BUILDERS: The house is completely mounted separately from the hull, so there is no noise or vibration that comes up, which should also keep the whale very calm, and it will be a comfortable ride for the whale.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KIM: When A73 reaches her Canadian destination later today, she will be placed in a holding pen. Scientists will then release her after her pod is spotted in the area, and that could happen in a matter of days -- Carol, back to you.

COSTELLO: Lilian, we were wondering, what if her pod doesn't accept her?

KIM: That is a great possibility. Scientists say never before have they seen a successful reintroduction to a pod after such a long separation, but they are hoping that perhaps this will be an exception. And if they do pull this off, then this truly will be history-making.

COSTELLO: And if she can't join her pod, will they take her back into captivity, or will they let her find another pod?

KIM: They will not keep her in captivity. A lot of people here protested that idea. So what they will do is that if that pod doesn't accept her, then they will try and place her in another pod, hopefully with similar acoustic dialects. If that doesn't happen, then they will just release her into the wild and let nature take its course.

COSTELLO: That poor whale, going from pod to pod looking for love. Well, we hope she finds it -- thank you.

KIM: We hope so too.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Lilian, for that report.

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