For Luna, Playtime A Matter Of Survival

Sunday, August 7, 2005
GOLD RIVER, BC — A freelance writer and filmmaker who has documented the activities of Luna, the killer whale, has developed a plan to keep the lone orca entertained and out of people's hair in Canada's Nootka Sound.

Author Michael Parfit said his greatest fear is that someone will shoot and kill the 6-year-old whale out of anger or fear. Luna often approaches boats playfully, but he ends up pushing boats around and damaging rudders, motors, depth sounders and other equipment.

"There is a buzz on the water that someone is going to kill him," Parfit said. "It is a loud buzz, and we're worried about it."

Parfit and his partner Suzanne Chisholm have spent many hours aboard their 18-foot inflatable, interviewing sport and commercial fishermen who have encountered Luna in Nootka Sound. While most of the talk about killing Luna is nothing more than overblown frustration, it takes only one unbalanced person to bring an end to an animal that has gained worldwide attention.

"Everybody recognizes the level of damage and fear," he said, "and those two things cannot be sustained."

In an article in the November 2004 Smithsonian magazine, Parfit recounted events of last summer, when Luna was scheduled to be captured and taken by truck to the south end of Vancouver Island. The plan was to release him when his family group, known as L Pod, approached. The capture, under the direction of the Canadian government, was called off after the Mowachaht/Muchalaht natives distracted the whale from being led into a net pen.

No further attempts have been made to capture Luna. For safety reasons, boaters are discouraged from interacting with the orca, despite his apparent desire for attention.

Parfit and Chisholm, who are now writing a book about Luna, have proposed a plan to solve the short-term damage problems while clearing the way for a reunion between Luna and his pod. Under the plan, a small group of boats would become essentially Luna's adoptive family. Selected individuals, including First Nations people, would be authorized to play with Luna and teach him to follow them. When appropriate, Luna could be led to the outer edge of Nootka Sound to meet up with his family, which has been known to pass by in the ocean.

Parfit said he would take responsibility for raising money and coordinating the effort.

"There is a risk of being writers and journalists on the scene and taking an active role in the event," Parfit said. "But we are in a position of communicating honestly with the First Nations and DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans). No one else has made a proposal, and we feel we need to put our energy where our mouth is."

The working title of his upcoming book is "Saving Luna," and Parfit has no intention of writing a tragedy.

Parfit's work has appeared in National Geographic. He has written scripts for two IMAX films. He is the author of four books.

One of the biggest problems Luna faces, he said, is the inconsistent attention that he has received, even from government officials. If someone played with a dog for two weeks and then ignored him for a year, it would be considered cruelty, he said, but that's basically what is happening with Luna.

If Luna can't be reunited with his family, the interaction would have to continue, Parfit said. Animal-welfare organizations and research institutions could help provide ongoing funding.

Ken Balcomb, director of the Center for Whale Research in the San Juan Islands, said he suggested a similar plan two years ago. He believes the idea is still valid.

"It would take several people working in shifts with lots and lots of dedication," Balcomb said. "If Michael is up for that, great."

Lara Sloan, spokeswoman for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, said the idea was considered by experts prior to settling on last summer's capture plan.

"Their proposal is being reviewed," Sloan said, "but it would take some sound scientific review before something like that would be attempted. Our goal is still to reunite Luna with his pod. Part of that is building a relationship with the First Nations."

Sloan said the alleged threats against Luna are not new, and law enforcement takes them seriously.

"Luna is protected under the Species at Risk Act in Canada," she said. "Any individual who attempts to injure or kill Luna is subject to a fine of $250,000 and five years in prison, or both."

See Footage of Luna

Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm will show video footage of Luna in Nootka Sound during the annual "missing whales" presentation, commemorating the 35th anniversary of an orca capture in Whidbey Island's Penn Cove. The event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the historic San de Fuca Schoolhouse at the corner of Zylstra Road and Highway 20, four miles north of Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Howard Garrett of Orca Network will present an update on Lolita, the last Puget Sound orca still living in an aquarium. Cost of the event is $15, and gourmet appetizers will be served. Funds, including those from a silent auction, will go to the long-running effort to reunite Lolita with her pod. For information see "news/events" at www.orcanetwork.org.

Luna should not be forced to lived without companionship, according to writer Michael Parfit, who worries that the young whale's efforts for attention may be hazardous to his health.

Source: The Kitsap Sun

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