Killer whale calf trapped in B.C. swims out of lagoon on her own

By The Canadian Press on April 26, 2024.

ZEBALLOS, B.C. – The young killer whale trapped for more than a month in a B.C. lagoon swam past a bottleneck at high tide this morning.

The Ehattesaht and Nuchatlaht First Nations say the team is ecstatic, although she still has to leave the Little Espinosa Inlet to reach open ocean.

A statement from the team says the calf swam past the area where her mother died, under a bridge and down the inlet “all on her own.”

The calf has been trapped in the lagoon since March 23 when her pregnant mother was beached and died at low tide.

The nations say watchers who remained overnight with the calf witnessed her swim under the bridge and down the inlet.

The statement says they will now encourage her out towards the open ocean, where it’s hoped she will be able to reconnect with her family pod.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2024.

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