NOTEO 060004

NOTEO 060004 The Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations

Luring a Killer Whale away from Fisheries authorities to keep it in busy harbour, where it harasses boats, and then subsequently dies when snuggling up against the bottom of an ocean tug, because you think it's the reincarnation of your dead chief, is not helping your chief, or the whale.

Valid til, well, on this one I'm speechless...

Did you read this story? There's a place called Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, And in this "Sound" resided a Killer Whale, henceforth known as "Luna", which got seperated from it's "pod" and moved in around 2001. Almost immediately becoming a nuisance to Marine traffic in the harbour, despite being "loved by many, especially tourists".

In 2004 Scientists and Fisheries personel tried to reunite Luna with it's pod, only to be foiled by Canoes full of Native Americans banging drums to lure it away. In the mean time Luna broke several rudders off Sail Boats, and stopping Boats from reaching Dock. There was a large danger in the whale staying as it might get hit by a propeller. Finally the Mowachaht and the Fisheries department cooperated in an agreement to look after the whale while leaving it in the Sound. Perversly, and I'd imagine much to the shagrin of the aforementioned parties, one day the whale came up under an Ocean tug holding in the sound to avoid rough waters. In the process got sucked into the current from the Tug's propeller and became, well, fish food.

"Luna likely died "instantly" after treating
the 27-tonne General Jackson as he would any other
idle or slow-moving boat -- swimming underneath
the hull, rubbing up against it and pushing on its rudders."

Now, I'm not an animal hater. I'm not trying to be disrespectful to the traditions of First Nations persons. But I mean SERIOUSLY, what the hell were you THINKING??? If I think a Deer embodies the spirit of anyone I know, dead of course, I'm not going to lure it away from authorities to keep it along the side of a highway if it has a known affection for bumpers. I'd let them move it to be with it's herd, happy, and out of harms way.

In the battle between ancient traditions and modern common sense, it seems common sense has lost out again. It's just a shame the casualty in this case was a whale who just didn't know any better.

I'm out, Cheers