Luna (killer whale)

Luna ( born September 19, 1999, † under the name L98, March 10, 2006, Gold River, Vancouver ) was a famous orca, which was worshiped by the Mowachaht - Muchalaht Indians.

Luna was born in 1999 in Orca area of Monterey Bay as a first calf of Cow Orca L97 and L98 was named. The animal was observed, but disappeared without a trace in 2000.

The whale had been separated as a baby from his herd and was lost in 2001 to the coast of Vancouver Iceland. There he was recognized by the Mowachaht - Muchalaht Indians as the reincarnation of their chief Ambrose Marquinna. This had prophesied on his death bed, to return as Orca to the trunk. Then appeared a few days after his death in the summer of 2001 on the orca in the waters of Nootka Sound, where he now lived.

"Luna ", as the animal was called from there, attracted tourists from Canada, but also from abroad. In summer 2004, a transport of the animal should be initiated by the Ministry of Fisheries, Ottawa. They had the herd of the dam identified that pulls off the Canadian coast from north to south and back. But the Indians prevented the transport by driving with boats on the sea and the whale weglockten with songs from fishing nets. After the government rejected their plan and paid as a result of money to the Indians, so that they could ensure the safety of the animal.

Contrary to his nature, Luna is accustomed to dealing with people and boats, which is why many also went to him to pet him. The whale got that boat propeller shut down, so as to have more people with you. These outgoing personality earned him even injury.

Recently he retired in March as serious injuries to the Propeller of a tractor that he died. Shortly thereafter began a controversy surrounding the fault. While animal rights activists accused the fisheries authorities, local fishermen gave the natives of the debt.

The Indians adopted the animal with a festive traditional ceremony. According to their belief the soul of their chief is finally entered into the spirit world.

After Luna's death was known that the other fellows isolated living orca often stayed near sea lions, the vocalizations of sea lions imitated.

Orcas are in Canada as protected.