Young orca continues to survive while trapped in lagoon

ZEBALLOS, B.C. — Killer whale experts say they are confident about a trapped young orca calf’s survival chances in the open ocean if a rescue team can successfully remove it from a tidal lagoon on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island.

Marine scientist Jared Towers says the female orca, estimated to be about two years old, has been exhibiting signs of resiliency throughout the month she’s been trapped in the lagoon.

He says confirmed reports that the young killer whale is now eating supplied seal meat and was observed over the weekend catching its own herring in the lagoon are signs of the orca’s adaptability under difficult circumstances.

A plan to catch the young killer whale in a net, place it in a sling and transport it to the ocean where it would be released and possibly reunite with extended family members was put on hold Friday to allow the rescue team to consider new capture options.