B.C. First Nation urges boaters to stay away from recently freed orca calf
The Ehattesaht First Nation is urging boaters to steer clear of a young orca calf that recently escaped a B.C. lagoon where she had been stranded for weeks after her pregnant mother died.
A Thursday update on the whale, named kʷiisaḥiʔis or Brave Little Hunter, said there have "sadly" been reports of "some interactions with vessels in the area."
Leaving the young mammal alone is the best thing people can do to ensure her survival, according to Chief Simon John.
"No matter how interested or connected we may feel, being with humans is exactly the wrong thing for kʷiisaḥiʔis," he said in a statement.
John said one of the concerns during the lengthy rescue effort was that the whale would become too habituated to humans and might start to associate boats with food. To prevent people from disturbing the whale, the nation as well as the Marine mammal Rescue Unit will be increasing patrols in the area.
"We are very confident that she can survive out there on her own," John writes.
Boaters who see the whale are being urged to change course and told not to stop and watch her or to engage with her in any way. They are also being reminded that there are strict rules in place that require vessels to stay at least 200 metres away from the endangered whales in B.C.
"We have all worked so hard for her and we cannot let up now," the statement concludes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.