| |
|
|
|
Our Philosophy
Your Money ---------- More Info On Culture On Stewardship On Reunification On Protection Contact Us
|
On the Need for StewardshipAugust 27, 2004For immediate release. Joint Statement by NGOsThis diverse group of NGOs came together out of concern for Luna, who for the past three years has been living alone in the remote waters of Nootka Sound, British Columbia, separated from his orca family and community. We believe that immediate action is required in order to ensure Luna’s continued freedom and well-being. The Southern Resident Community, to which Luna belongs, now comprises just 83 individuals . Luna’s community was heavily harvested during the 1970s for display in public aquaria, and their numbers declined 20% over a 5 year period during the 90s. They are currently listed as Endangered in Canada and Washington State. Bluntly put, the Southern Resident orca population is in serious trouble. Whenever you have such a small and endangered population, the well being of each member of the community is potentially essential to the survival of the entire group, and so Luna’s plight should be considered of vital importance to the future of his community. As an endangered species, Luna’s family needs him and as a social creature, he needs his family. This point cannot be overstated: resident orca have very strong social groups. Each resident orca live their entire lives within the pod to which they are born, never leaving their mother’s company. The underwater calls Luna makes clearly identify him as a member of his grandmother’s family (the L2 matriline), and we fully expect that if any member of his family were to hear his call, they would race to his side. We base this belief upon our 30+ years of observing orca social behavior, as well as our solid experience with Springer (A73), another solitary orca who was discovered separated from her pod within months of Luna’s appearance in Nootka Sound. Springer was joyously welcomed back into her aunt’s matriline literally within hours of her relocation. Their acceptance of her back into their family was immediate and long lasting – she can still be seen swimming with her extended family even today. Luna’s situation in Nootka Sound remains precarious, and his increasingly forceful behavior is consistent with well documented cases of other solitary toothed whales around the world who became frustrated due to isolation from their pods. In 2000, the IWC Scientific Committee released a report concluding that whales which exhibit a high degree of contact with humans are generally at the greatest risk of injury, illness, and death. This paper also identifies behaviors which are indicators of stress due to isolation, and we certainly see these behaviors in Luna. Other reports show that consistent on-water management of human activity mitigates serious high-risk incidents involving both humans and whales, and still others have found that early implementation of on-site management is directly related to the successful protection of both humans and whales., and we certainly have seen that when left alone, Luna gets into trouble. In recent weeks there have been several reports of Luna ‘attacking’ sailboats and breaking rudders, even of him being dangerously close to ‘shredding the flesh off of a young, skinny arm“. Most of these reports are clearly journalistic exaggerations, but it is true that Luna is seeking out attention and companionship. He is a very, very intelligent creature, and has quickly figured out that to get a boat to stop, he simply has to push hard on the rudder. Based upon a review of scientific literature regarding solitary toothed whales and our 30+ years of experience observing orca behavior, we do not believe that he is ‘attacking’ these boats. Rather, he is simply expressing his frustration of being isolated from his social group, and is seeking out substitutions for the rich social interactions other orca get in nature by virtue of their intimate associations to their matrilineal pods. We are encouraged to hear that the DFO and the First Nations are close to agreement about co-management of the situation surrounding Luna while he remains in Nootka Sound. As we understand it, this will see First Nations undertaking a “stewardship” role of educating boaters, discouraging them from approaching Luna, and assisting those in trouble; the DFO would be responsible for enforcement. Such an agreement could go a long way towards handling the immediate situation. But real costs will be involved, and so far as we know, the DFO have yet to offer to cover them beyond paying for a brochure. Our clear sense is that the DFO needs to ante up, pay the bills for whatever programs are deemed necessary to Luna’s well being. Not only would this be consistent with their concern and responsibility for public safety, it would also help move their relationship with First Nations forward. We must all recognize that the DFO has a responsibility to honor that which the First Nations have always understood: that the management of marine resources is critical to the environment’s survival. Our bottom line view then, and still is that Luna needs to be reunited with his orca kin as soon as possible in order to give him and his family the best chance of survival. However, we also recognize the deep spiritual ties between Luna and the First Nations and the cultural significance he holds for them. One major task before us, then, is to continue to work with the First Nations in securing what is best for Luna. Our challenge to the DFO is to do the same. We urge everyone concerned about Luna to make their voices heard. Sign a petition at reuniteluna.com and/or anon.org. Insist: that the DFO steps up to its responsibility as public servants; that funding be found to begin the First Nations’ stewardship program and for whatever else is needed to ensure Luna’s future; that the soft approach to reuniting Luna with his family be undertaken, again and again, until it is successful. Further information: Keith Wood 404 Lexington Lane • Euless • TX • 76039 • USA • 817.267.9663 www.ANON.org • info@ANON.org |