Michael Harris
- David T.
Suzuki - Howard
Garrett - Dr.
Paul Spong
Expert Quotes
-Fred Felleman, Orca Conservancy, April 30, 2004
"We really are targeting to have this program, this plan, in place ready to proceed operationally by May 15."”
-Marilyn Joyce, DFO, April 5, 2004
"We've been pushing the boat-follow, we've been pushing a non-invasive way of doing this. Keep the whale in the water and just keep your hands off the whale.”
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, March 31, 2004
"A clear message must be sent to the whale-watching community that behavior endangering whales will not be tolerated.”
-Provincial Court Judge Wayne Smith, February 10, 2004
"(Whales) learn things from each other and pass it on to other whales, and that's culture…"
-Hal Whitehead, Dalhousie University, January 13, 2004
"I like to say (Txux'iit) means down with fish farms, but I don't know."
-Mike Maquinna, Chief, Mowachat/Muchalaht, December 7, 2003
"Our goal is to undertake the relocation in a manner that will maximize the likelihood of a successful reintroduction. Rushing relocation at this time presents a very uncertain outcome.”
-John Ford, DFO, November 01, 2003
"It's too bad this has dragged on as long as it has."
-Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, October 30, 2003
"I recognize the tremendous Canadian and international interest in the well-being of this animal. A relocation is best done in the spring when weather and the proximity of the pod are optimal."
-Robert Thibault, Minister of Department of Fisheries and Oceans, October 30, 2003
News that the federal government wanted to wait until spring for the move was a surprise. "That caught us unprepared a little bit -- (the panel) was not notified. It was not our recommendation."
-Lance Barrett-Lennard, Vancouver Aquarium, October 28, 2003
"That's the most disturbing news, even after all this time, after more than two years, he's calling for his family"
-Marc Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society, October 28, 2003
"Luna wiggles his nose and we get a million calls. He still is a risk to public safety and can still be a risk to himself and that's why we're making this move."
-Lara Sloan, DFO, October 28, 2003
"We don't have a program for marine-mammal rescue and rehabilitation that's paid for by taxpayers. As far as government funding . . . there's none at the time."
-Lara Sloan, DFO, October 28, 2003
"We would like, now that we have some funding, to see (the Canadian government) step up and join us directly and come up with a joint plan."
-Joe Scordino, NMFS, October 28, 2003
"Money is the stumbling block, the expertise is around.”
-Clint Wright, Vancouver Aquarium, October 27, 2003
"By successfully relocating Luna with his pod scientist will be able to gather important data about the southern orcas' migration.”
-Senator Maria Cantwellb, October 27, 2003
"We hope to work with Canada to bring Luna back home. The matter is now in the hands of Canada's top fisheries official, Robert Thibault.”
-Bob Lohn, NMFS, October 26, 2003
"Hopefully (Canada) will look at that as a very willing partner by the United States to help solve a problem that both our countries care about.”
-Senator Maria Cantwell, October 26, 2003
"DFO has created, or at least exacerbated, the problem by waiting so long.”
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, October 25, 2003
"We're looking at a new approach where Luna can be left in Nootka Sound over the winter with monitoring to give the groups time to raise funds,"
-Lara Sloan, DFO, October 23, 2003
"Money is an issue for everyone -- we're quite challenged with the money thing."
-Mark Pakenham, Luna Stewardship Project, October 16, 2003
"Perhaps next week we'll be able to see what the next step would be.”
-Deborah Phelan, DFO, October 16, 2003
"While we do want to get this going as soon as possible, we're not running out of time."
-Lara Sloan, DFO, October 15, 2003
"It's important to get going fairly soon because his family pod is there now and will be leaving the area in December.”
-Michelle Imbeau, DFO, October 15, 2003
"We're responding and offering help for Luna within our limits. ”
-Angela Nielsen, Vancouver Aquarium, October 14, 2003
"This is a trans-boundary population that needs to be recovered. It's going extinct. ”
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, October 14, 2003
"His problem is not health, it's not even location, it's people.”
-Brian Gorman, NMFS, October 13, 2003
"If an incident ever did take place where human life was at risk, there was discussion of lethal force as an option. But it's such a remote contingency that we're not really spending any time on it."
-John Ford, DFO, October 13, 2003
"We know that the captivity option is one that has raised a lot of interest from the captive industry. I think the public would go wild over a captive future for this whale."
-Mark Packenham, Luna Stewardship Project, October 13, 2003
"We are where we are. We need to act quickly. There's a general sense of 'the sooner, the better.'”
-Bob Lohn, NOAA Fisheries, October 9, 2003
"(Springer) was a success story. There's no reason (Luna) shouldn't be a success story at the same time."
-Marc Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society, October 8, 2003
"We think there's an opportunity learn an awful lot with Luna, and that includes doing some rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction. And we're standing by to see if that comes together."
-Bob McLaughlin, Global Research & Rescue, October 7, 2003
"This is a very naďve animal. We can't teach him the social skills. We can't teach him the navigation skills and the hunting skills he needs to survive."
-Jeff Foster, Global Research & Rescue, October 6, 2003
"Our commitment to Luna still stands -- we want to help wherever we can. We have to look at where we can help and how we can help but we know we want to help and to do what is best for Luna."
-Angela Nielsen, Vancouver Aquarium, October 5, 2003
"The clock is ticking now, we're interested in getting the best team together that we can possibly have.”
-Mark Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society, October 4, 2003
"They're looking for the save-the-whale community to save the whale.”
-Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, October 4, 2003
"Luna still speaks southern-resident-community whale. He's retained it even without anybody to talk to.”
-Fred Felleman, Orca Conservancy, October 4, 2003
"I'm hopeful. I still have some optimism that it can happen. I think it's the best we can do."
-John Ford, Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Pacific Biological Station, October 4, 2003
"Leaving him in Nootka Sound is no longer an option. Our goal is to do what is best for Luna and his pod while protecting the public."
-Honorable Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, October 3, 2003
"The clock is ticking. The biggest obstacle is timeliness and giving Luna time to reconnect with L-98 pod."
-Mark Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society, October 2, 2003
"The chances are very, very good that Luna's pod will reaccept him."
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, October 2, 2003
"Everything has to go right for it to work, but the payoff is so large that if it does work, it's worth the trouble."
-David Bain, UW marine biologist, September 30, 2003
"I think at this point, that everybody from the DFO to the general public to the science community, which includes the panel, is in agreement that Luna's situation is urgent, that something has to be done to resolve the problem in a very short space of time."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, September 22, 2003
"Luna doesn't have time for an official announcement, we need to act now."
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, September 22, 2003
"Luna, you're gonna get a chance to go home, isn't this great? I mean this is fantastic!"
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, September 19, 2003
"Obviously trying to get him back with his family pod would be a great goal."
-Cliff Wright, Vancouver Aquarium, September 19, 2003
"It's probably better to capture Luna and transport him down to the area of southern Vancouver Island and put him in some place as we did with Springer."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, September 19, 2003
"We've been waiting a long time for something substantive to happen. And if it's a move for reunification we're certainly going to be there helping as best we can ... It's a good whale and needs to be given a chance."
-Mark Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society, September 18, 2003
"Certainly his behaviour has changed, so there is a more urgent need to intervene."
-Marilyn Joyce, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, September 12, 2003
"We believe that Luna will rejoin his family."
-Susan Berta, OrcaNetwork, September 4, 2003
"Public opinion has been clear that captivity should not be considered for Luna, and that reunification with his family should be given a try."
-Howard Garrett, OrcaNetwork, September 4, 2003
"I personally feel that the gamble of intervening to reunite Luna with his pod is worth taking, but I am very aware of the risks involved."
-Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard, Vancouver Aquarium, September 3, 2003
"The Vancouver Aquarium, like everyone who cares about whales, is hoping that Luna will reunite with his pod."
-Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard, Vancouver Aqurium, September 3, 2003
"Luna was bashing my fibreglass sailboat that’s not very fast. He damaged the boat. This is getting beyond the fun stage. We need to get him out of here before he kills someone or someone gets annoyed and shoots him"
-Keith Bell, Gold River , August 30, 2003
"Luna is a popular attraction and unfortunately, people want to go see him in the wild, and that's creating problems for him and for people."
-Marilyn Joyce, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, August 29, 2003
"What I can say is that we recognize that a window of opportunity for an intervention is limited."
-Marilyn Joyce, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, August 29, 2003
"His cut is a red flag. It tells us things are not well with Luna. I suppose the way things are going, the prospects for him will only get worse as time goes on."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 29, 2003
"This injury highlights the serious nature of Luna's circumstances right now. Interactions with boats will continue and the risk of injury will continue."
-Mark Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society, August 29, 2003
"I personally hope the DFO will move forward with a plan that will give Luna an opportunity to reunite with his family."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 29, 2003
"Luna’s cut is a real warning that the situation is not in hand and that, as time goes on, Luna is in increasing jeopardy."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 29, 2003
"There is tremendous public pressure to look at some sort of reintroduction strategy."
-Marilyn Joyce, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, August 28, 2003
"The longer we wait, the more inevitable the conclusion to this drama - in a very bad way. The whale is either going to be killed or recommended for captivity."
-Mark Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society, August 28, 2003
"It's a fear we've been living with all along, that he'll be severely injured."
-Mark Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society, August 28, 2003
"If you found a lost kid somewhere you'd want to return him to his mother. He's got to go home to his family."
-Annelise Sorg, Coalition for No Whales in Captivity, August 21, 2003
"There are three options being reviewed. One is to leave the animal where it is, keeping an eye on it. The other is to move it to a facility like an aquarium. And the other one is to try to reunite it with its family."
-Christiane Cote, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pacific Region, August 21, 2003
"This could be the time once again for cross-border cooperation and a chance to bolster our struggling orcas."
-Bill Arntz Director, Seattle Aquarium, August 17, 2003
"Without his natural companions, Luna has become dangerously comfortable with human contact and boats."
-Bill Arntz Director, Seattle Aquarium, August 17, 2003
"Luna is considered beyond the normal range of its L-pod family members"
-Bill Arntz, Director, Seattle Aquarium, August 17, 2003
"The Seattle Aquarium supports immediate efforts to return Luna, the wayward orca from northern Vancouver Island. "
-Bill Arntz, Director, Seattle Aquarium, August 17, 2003
"For all of our determined efforts to protect critical habitats, fight bioaccumulative marine toxins, stop destructive industries like aquaculture, and to reduce the risk of oil spills in the Sound and Straits, our collaborative efforts here to return this healthy young orca back to L-Pod will yield immediate and measurable results."
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, August 15, 2003
"With the Nuu-chah-nulth-aht’s participation and our collective experiences in the successful translocation and repatriation of Springer, there is no doubt that we can move quickly, materially and with extraordinary expertise in responding to the Luna crisis."
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, August 15, 2003
"We know that if you give these orcas a choice between humans and other orcas, they'll choose orcas every time. Without his family, Luna is just looking for love in all the wrong places."
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, August 15, 2003
"When we first got involved, the situation was a concern; over the last several months, it has become a crisis."
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, August 15, 2003
"Luna’s situation is very sad at present."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 13, 2003
"Luna is a social creature and he is missing contact with his own kind. The only thing has to substitute is people, and that is really unfortunate..."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 13, 2003
“The only solution for Luna, like Springer had, is to go back to his family.”
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 13, 2003
"If you look at some of the scenes that are happening in Gold River right now, it is hard to imagine anything getting worse."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 13, 2003
"We didn’t know what would happen with Springer. She did get into trouble with boats at the start, but pretty soon the other Orcas took over and smartened her up. Now she barely thinks about looking at a boat. I suspect the same kind of process will happen with Luna when he is given the chance."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 13, 2003
"Luna has a real home to go to and a real place in the L Pod society that he can rejoin. I am quite convinced of that."
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 13, 2003
“Last year's successful return of another orca, Springer, from Puget Sound to Canada argues strongly that Luna could be reunited with his family.”
-- Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board, August 10, 2003
“Luna has become comfortable with human contact and, more distressing, with boats. That creates dangers for him from propeller blades. It's also dangerous for people on boats because Luna's a big, strong guy.”
-- Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board, August 10, 2003
“This is unnatural, this isn't right. It's upsetting. The problem is Luna belongs with his family."
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, July 28, 2003
“Luna has taken to things like slapping the water with his pectoral fin or his fluke, or doing things that say, hey, pay attention to me, I'm here. He's so bored,"
-Michael Harris, Orca Conservancy, July 28, 2003
“We can't help but continue to feel increasing concern over Luna's well being. There is at least one new incident that compromises his safety every week.”
-K'ari Fisher, Program Manager, Luna Stewardship, August 6, 2003
“Luna's body already shows minor abrasions and scars from encounters with boats and as time passes the risk of major injury increases.”
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, July 8, 2003
“I believe Luna to be headed for disaster if nothing is done to alter the course he is on.”
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, July 8, 2003
“I can say that the decision of the DFO not to intervene and attempt to return Luna to his family and community at this time was not based on the advice of the panel, as has been widely reported by the media.”
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, July 8, 2003
“Luna needs all the help he can get.”
-Dr. Paul Spong, OrcaLab, August 2, 2003
“The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has an obligation to the recovery of the southern resident (orca) community.”
-Fred Felleman, Orca Conservancy, July 24 2003
“Luna is still a baby separated from his mother and family, who will protect him better than we ever could. The answer is clear. We must bring Luna home now to live as a wild whale.”
-Leigh Calvez is a naturalist and a nature writer living in the Seattle area
“Obviously, the most tragic and uninformed decision, now under consideration by DFO, would be to remove Luna to a concrete tank.”
-Howard Garrett, Orca Network, August 6, 2003
“There is no reason to assume Luna has forgotten his family or the vocalizations they use to communicate, and there is no reason to believe he is somehow an outcast or is undesirable to his family.”
-Howard Garrett, Orca Network, August 6, 2003
“We believe Luna can recognize his family and will rejoin them if given the opportunity.”
-Howard Garrett, Orca Network, August 6, 2003
