L-98 / Luna

PACIFIC NORTHWEST KILLER WHALES - LUNA LUNA RELOCATION AUTHORIZED (June 2004). ONE ORPHAN SPOTTED; ONE STILL STRUGGLING (July 2003). CHARGES PENDING FOR DISTURBING LUNA (Feb 2003). A73 - SPRINGER Additional updates on this topic and other selected issues involving Keiko, Luna, Springer, and the rest of the northern and southern resident orcas (SRKWs) can be found in the conservation reports and on the ACS-Puget Sound chapter website.

February 1, 2002

Since July 2001, mariners frequenting Nootka Sound on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island have been observing a small, lone killer whale. The first documented sightings were reported to the Pacific Biological Station and the BC Cetacean Sightings Network in mid September. The observers reported that they had seen the whale on numerous occasions since mid July, always in the same location.

During a sea otter survey flight on 5 October, marine mammal biologists Graeme Ellis, John Ford, and Jane Watson searched the reported location by helicopter, and were able to confirm that the animal was indeed a juvenile killer whale.

On 12 November, Graeme Ellis and Jane Watson traveled by boat to the area in an attempt to locate the whale and to make observations and collect photographs for potential individual identification. The whale was found and photographed, although weather conditions were too poor for good photography. Subsequent analyses of these ID photos suggested that the whale was most likely L98, a young whale born to the southern resident L pod in 1999 and reported missing in June 2001 by researchers with the Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor. Improved photographs were needed for positive identification.

On 25 November, Graeme Ellis and John Ford traveled once more to the site to obtain additional ID photographs and to make observations of the animal's behavior and physical condition. The whale was again found in the same location. It appeared to be in good condition, swimming and surfacing in an energetic fashion and showing no obvious physical signs of emaciation. It was observed to catch and eat a salmon. Observations and photographs revealed sloughing skin on the dorsal fin, which was not evident on 12 November. It occasionally responded to the boat by approaching to within 20-30 m, but not closer. Comparison of ID photographs collected on this day with a photographic catalogue of southern residents maintained by the Center for Whale Research confirmed the identity as L98.

The situation with L98 is extremely unusual. Resident killer whales live in very stable kin groups called matrilines. A whale born to a matriline rarely if ever strays for long from this group, especially in the case of young animals. Since photo-identification studies began in the early 1970s, there have been no cases where a young whale observed to be absent from its matriline for more than a few days has returned to that matriline, or any other group. There are only two past incidents on record that bear some resemblance to the L98 situation [See Note (1)]. In early January 2002, another lone juvenile killer whale was discovered in Puget Sound. The behavior of this unidentified individual appears rather similar to that of L98 [See Note (2)].

It is not known how L98 came to be alone in Nootka Sound. It is possible that it accidentally strayed and became separated from its group somewhere off the west coast of Vancouver Island, then wandered into the area. There is no physical barrier preventing it from leaving, but it appears to be reluctant to travel outside of a small area. We are uncertain how likely it is that L98 will become reconnected with L pod. The area frequented by L98 is far from the known travel and foraging routes of L pod, and there is no record of the pod at or near this location since studies began over 25 years ago. However, the range of L pod during the winter and spring is mostly unknown, and it may be that the pod does occasionally enter Nootka Sound. If so, the juvenile may become reunited with its group.

On 3 December, a meeting of killer whale specialists was held in Vancouver to discuss the situation and to develop a response strategy. Representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Center for Whale Research (Friday Harbor, WA), the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, and the University of British Columbia were present. The group agreed that the whale should be monitored regularly and, if it began to show signs of deteriorating health, a plan for intervention would be developed.

L98 has been monitored four times since this meeting, the most recent being 21 January 2002. On each occasion, it appeared to be in good health and exhibited energetic, playful behaviors around the boat. It was again observed feeding, and scale samples from a salmonid kill were collected.

Future Plans

We will continue regular field trips on a biweekly basis to monitor the health status of L98. Behavior and appearance will be documented with photographs and video. Fisheries and Oceans will undertake conservation and protection patrols as required to ensure the whale is not disturbed. A team of killer whale specialists will be assembled to consider various options for future action if needed.

(1) There are two previous incidents on record in this area that are of interest and are relevant to the L98 situation. In 1977, a lone killer whale calf was found by a sport fisherman in Menzies Bay, north of Campbell River, BC, approximately a month after it had been sighted alone in Nanaimo harbour. Within a week, the fisherman gained the whale's trust and began feeding it herring. However, the whale was clearly in poor health, so DFO authorized its capture by Sealand of the Pacific, Victoria. The whale, whose identity was unknown, recovered and lived at that facility until its death several years later. The other incident involved a five-year old whale, A57, which was discovered alive but in distress in a small bay on 16 December, 1996. It died several hours later. Necropsy examination showed that the whale succumbed to a major bacterial infection, but was otherwise in good physical condition.

(2) Editor's Note: The lone juvenile killer whale discovered in Puget Sound in January 2002 was eventually identified as A73 (Springer).