Rescue Operation: Brave Little Hunter, the Stranded Orca Calf, Finds Freedom

TLDRA stranded 2-year-old Orca calf, named Brave Little Hunter, was successfully rescued and released back into open waters after her mother beached and died. The community made several attempts to save her, but she was trapped in a lagoon. After weeks of anxiety, a high tide helped the calf clear the sandbar and regain her freedom. The challenge now is to reunite her with her pod, which hasn't been seen in over two weeks.

Key insights

🐳A stranded 2-year-old Orca calf was successfully rescued and released back into open waters.

🏞️The calf was trapped in a remote Vancouver Island Lagoon after her mother beached and died.

🌊A high tide at 2:30 a.m. helped the calf clear the sandbar and regain her freedom.

🚁Attempts to rescue the calf using a sling and from an elaborate plan failed.

🐋The challenge now is to find the calf's pod and reunite her with her family.

Q&A

What happened to the Orca calf's mother?

—The mother beached and died, leaving the calf stranded in the lagoon.

How long was the Orca calf trapped?

—The calf was trapped in the lagoon for over a month.

How did they rescue the Orca calf?

—Multiple rescue attempts, including a sling and an elaborate plan, were made but failed. The calf eventually made it out on her own during a high tide.

What is the biggest challenge now?

—The biggest challenge now is to find the calf's pod and reunite her with her family.

What is being done to help the Orca calf?

—The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is working with First Nations, whale watchers, and researchers to lead the calf to open waters and reconnect her with her pod.

Timestamped Summary

00:06A social media video shared by the ehad shows members of the assat First Nation attempting to lure a stranded Orca calf out of a remote Vancouver Island Lagoon.

00:17A high tide at 2:30 a.m. helped the 2-year-old Orca clear the sandbar and regain her freedom.

00:36The 2-year-old Orca, nicknamed que sahas or Brave Little Hunter, entered the Lagoon with her pregnant mother just over a month ago.

00:53The calf's mother beached and died, leaving the community gathered and trying to save the calf.

01:18Attempts to rescue the calf, including an elaborate plan to capture her in a sling, failed.

01:27Videos showed the calf breaching the waters just hours before she made it out on her own.

01:35The biggest challenge now is finding the Orca's Pod, which hasn't been seen in over 2 weeks.

02:00The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is working with First Nations, whale watchers, and researchers to lead her to open Waters.

Browse more