By Canadian Press

Low tide pauses efforts to save B.C. orca while rescuers plan next steps

Mar 30, 2024 | 4:04 PM

ZEBALLOS, B.C. — Low tide kept rescuers trying to save an orphaned whale calf stranded near a remote British Columbia community off the waters on Saturday, but Fisheries and Oceans Canada says officials are re-evaluating techniques that have been used so far while deciding what’s next.

An email from departmental Spokeswoman Leri Davies says the most promising tool used so far to coax the young animal out of a lagoon off Vancouver Island appears to be Oikomi metal pipes from a line of vessels being used as a “sound wall.” 

The long metal pipes are partially lowered into the water and struck with hammers to create noise and direct the whale toward a narrow exit point, across a shallow sandbar and back to open ocean.

Rescuers have said the whale has come close to leaving the lagoon but has been reluctant to pass over the sandbar where its mother got stranded and died last week.

Other methods that have been used so far include recorded killer whale calls, specialized directional guide lines and the pounding of Indigenous drum beats.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Davies says the pipes are widely used to deter marine mammals away from oil spills.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2024

The Canadian Press

<!– Photo: 20240330170328-660884638f848bc83291716ejpeg.jpg, Caption:

A dead killer whale (right) and its calf are shown in a lagoon near Zeballos, B.C. in a handout photo. Low tide kept rescuers trying to save an orphaned whale calf off the water for the day but Fisheries and Oceans Canada says they are re-evaluating techniques that have been used so far while deciding what’s next. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Jared Towers, Bay Cetology **MANDATORY CREDIT**

–>