ZEBALLOS, British Columbia (AP) — An orphaned killer whale stranded in a remote Vancouver Island lagoon is proving difficult for rescuers to catch, an official at the site said Friday. Ehattesaht First Nation Chief Simon John said the capture operation is in the “demobilization stage” after an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the 2-year-old orca that began before dawn. He said they plan to try again in a couple of days, and that rescuers were “standing down.” The 2-year-old calf has been alone in Little Espinosa Inlet for about three weeks after its pregnant mother was beached at low tide and died on March 23. The pair got into the lagoon by swimming through a narrow and fast-moving channel connecting it to the ocean. The First Nation said earlier that the rescue was launched at 5 a.m. because of favorable weather conditions. The rescue plan involves trying to corral the female calf into a shallow part of the 3-kilometer lagoon, using boats, divers and a net, before she would be placed in a large fabric sling and hoisted onto a transport vehicle. |
Nations to enhance BRI ties'143 people still missing' after Moscow attackChina to do utmost to restore peace in Gaza: FM spokespersonXi congratulates Prabowo Subianto on election as Indonesian presidentChina to take countermeasures if U.S. imposes visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials: spokespersonOfficial urges more efforts to boost crossHK chief vows to boost national security education, economyKMT's Ma visiting mainlandChina's UN envoy hailed as he leaves officeBeijing slams Washington on illegal claims of demarcation of seabed