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CNN Live Today

Whale May Be Taken to Canada Over the Weekend

Aired July 12, 2002 - 13:42   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it could be this weekend before rescuers can return an orphaned orca called Springer to her pod off Canada's Vancouver Island. Springer was to make the ten-hour journey from Manchester, Washington today.

CNN's Lilian Kim joins us now to tell us why she didn't, and why she is back behind Lilian, swimming around -- hi, Lilian.

LILIAN KIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. Well, the orphaned orca is heading home, just not today. The boat that will be transporting the young whale back to Canadian waters had mechanical problems, which means the operation will have to wait until Saturday.

(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 eventually reaches her Canadian destination, she will be placed in a holding pen. Scientists will then release her after her grandmother's pod is spotted in the area, and that could happen in a matter of days.

Reporting live from Manchester, Washington, I'm Lilian Kim -- Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Lilian, thanks so much.

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