Canada's Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans Must Act on Behalf of Abandoned Orca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22/03
Contact: Rene Halliburton
Website: www.reuniteluna.com
Phone: 250 286 0053

Over 4000 People Worldwide Sign Petition for 'Luna' to be Reunited with Southern Resident Pod Family

(Campbell River, BC, Canada) An internet-based petition, online for less than a month, has garnered over 4000 signatures in support of attempting to reunite orca L98, locally known as 'Luna,' with his pod in the San Juan islands.

The petition, begun by Rene Halliburton of Campbell River and Ellen Hartlmeier from Richmond B.C., began as a frustrated response to lack of action from the DFO, in spite of their awareness of the troubled orca's precarious situation.

L98 is a juvenile male orca who became separated from his family a few years ago, and has taken up residence in Muchalet Inlet, inside Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island's east coast. The whale has become a nuisance to boaters, and an unintentional tourist attraction for the small resource-based community of Gold River.

"I first became aware of the dangers to Luna when we went for a trip on a local freighter that also carries sight-seeing passengers," says Halliburton. "When Luna came alongside, the freighter stopped, and a regular passenger was having it do 'tricks' for the audience. I was horrified. If we found a 4-year old lost child, we'd take it home to its mother." Halliburton's comments echo what seems to be the public sentiment in regard to the displaced orca. Scientists believe that re-uniting Luna with his pod will be his only chance for survival. However, Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) have adopted a "wait and see" policy in the hope that the orca would make his way back out to his family on his own. But Halliburton and Hartlmeier thought that two years was long enough to wait, and started the petition. They both feel strongly that if boaters were willing to lead the way, Luna would follow, and the L pod has been spotted as far north as Sooke in recent weeks. "I have faith in Luna," says Halliburton, "and lots of people have offered to donate money to help make it happen. We just need the DFO's permission."

DFO officials have publicly stated that a panel to decide Luna's fate will be convened once many of their staff are back from holidays. That may be as early as the first week of September, so the petition and list of signatures will be presented to the DFO, the Prime Minister, and international media within the next week, says Halliburton.

The public is still urged to become better informed about the issues facing Luna, and to write letters to their elected officials urging them to support the orca's reunion.

For more information, see www.reuniteluna.com