The Namu Shuttle Luna (killer whale)

a seattle-based non-profit organization, orca conservancy, initiated campaign rescue , repatriate springer , helped raise funds successful effort, took lead in calling similar effort on behalf of luna. in march 2002, organization teamed earth island institute , free willy-keiko foundation in presenting funded, seven-point, peer-reviewed rescue plan springer national marine fisheries service (nmfs), central component of plan being so-called namu shuttle , leading orca hydrodynamic seapen , towing johnstone strait. procedure used in 1965 ted griffin translocate namu, first captive orca, northern vancouver island seattle, exact distance required springer s move. groups later offered additional option — transporting springer via high-speed hovercraft, offered project through canadian consulate in seattle. on both options, orca conservancy , earth island/free willy-keiko foundation proposed after delivering springer natal waters, rescue team , critical equipment kept in place , marshaled return trip—the translocation of luna nootka sound, bc natal waters in puget sound, washington.

the namu shuttle proposal orca conservancy , earth island institute/free willy-keiko foundation linking springer , luna efforts reported on regional television newscasts , print media , gathering broad support among public. may 2002, people on both sides of border clamoring federal agencies take direct action save whales. since springer canadian whale in u.s. waters, nmfs governing authority responsible greenlighting rescue. , luna u.s. whale in canadian waters, agency needed approve rescue effort in nootka sound department of fisheries , oceans (dfo) canada—and indications, dfo did not intend on doing luna.

“there less of sense of urgency l-98, compared a-73,” said john ford, canadian fisheries , oceans. “but still not confident prospects long term.

luna left linger in nootka sound, , focus turned springer. once historic rescue, translocation , repatriation completed in july , august 2002, eyes again turned luna. ngos orca conservancy, orcalab, veins of life watershed society , reunite luna pressed hard dfo take action save luna, quid pro quo, orca conservancy s michael harris said on seattle television. brought orca, let s ours. dfo s public response firm—luna left was. agency stated many reasons not intervene, outlined 3 major ones—first, luna thriving in nootka sound , posing no danger himself or others; second, premature justify intervention on behalf of luna based on apparent success of springer effort, true test of whether or not springer s translocation had worked following july if , when returned family summer feeding grounds in johnstone strait. many dfo biologists quietly predicted not survive winter. lastly, if deemed necessary intervene luna, , springer returned johnstone strait, dfo did not have funding take on such action.