Whale finds a home

last updated 8 January 2015

Nootka Sound, British Columbia

Scientists postponed moving a killer whale out of Canada’s Nootka Sound last week after Indians claimed it was inhabited by the spirit of their late chief. The whale, named Luna, swam into the sound in 2001, around the time the Mowachaht-Muchalaht tribe’s chief died. Luna drew crowds to local docks, where she liked to linger, but officials said they wanted to get rid of the whale before it hurt somebody or was injured by a boat. A team of scientists brought in an underwater pen and tried to capture the whale so it could be relocated. But tribal leaders paddled out to sea banging on their canoes, scaring Luna away. Government scientists said they would try again.