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Orphan orca may have found a pod

A bond seems to be developing between Springer and a female adult

Friday, July 26, 2002

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

VICTORIA, B.C. -- An orphan orca transplanted to her native Canadian waters from Puget Sound continues to swim with a 16-year-old killer whale, who seems to be taking a maternal interest in her.

The 2-year-old orca, known both as Springer and as A-73 -- for her birth order in her family group -- appears to have struck up a relationship with a whale scientists call A-51.

"It's not just that A-73 has latched on to a group of whales," said Lance Barrett-Lennard of the Vancouver Aquarium.

"It is clear that A-51 is looking out for her."

A-51 kept Springer with the pod despite Springer's efforts to reach his boat for a visit, Barrett-Lennard said.

Researchers are hoping the young whale will join a pod of northern resident killer whales to live out her days in the waters off British Columbia.

She was captured in June in the busy waters of Puget Sound, where she strayed after her mother died.

While in Puget Sound, A-73, who would normally belong to a tight social group, became increasingly attached to boats, raising fears that she or boaters would be injured. She was also underweight and had a skin condition.

Under a joint Canadian-U.S. rescue project, Springer was nursed back to health and released into her home waters July 14.

Since her release, she has been monitored to see whether she will rejoin a pod and whether other whales will accept her.

Springer and A-51 were seen together on July 18 and were believed to be heading north with other whales.

This week, Barrett-Lennard finally spotted the A-5 pod, which includes A-51, east of Telegraph Cove.

When he saw A-73, "she was acting just like a calf with A-51," he said.

Springer was bumping into the older whale and rubbing up against her, he said.

They were also with A-61, the 8-year-old brother of A-51, and another male, A-60.

For Springer to stay with the pod for that length of time, she would have had to be associated with another whale, Barrett-Lennard said.

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