07/14/2003

By ELISA HAHN / KING 5 News

NOOTKA SOUND, B.C. – Apparently Luna, the orca who likes to hang around boats near Vancouver Island, was the target of a bizarre attack.

Luna, also known as L-98, is notorious for snuggling up to boats.

Witnesses say, late last week, he approached a dock near Gold River in Nootka Sound, B.C.

A man – motive unknown – picked up a shovel and swung it at Luna. Then he yelled death threats at the whale.

"A person was observed beating Luna with a stick at the dock of Gold River. It was an unfortunate incident and that person is believed to have threatened Luna's life,” said Marc Pakenham, Veins of Life Watershed Society.

KING Luna loves the company of humans, but not all humans love his company.

Luna did not sustain any serious injuries in the attack, but experts still worry his condition is deteriorating. While Luna seems healthy, his behavior is becoming more and more disturbing.

Since the wayward whale separated from his mother and the rest of the L-pod, based near the San Juans two years ago, little by little, Luna has become more aggressive, but at the same time seeking out companionship often in the wrong places.

"What it's doing is reducing his opportunities as a wild whale, which is a bad thing. He has a tendency for socialization or need for socialization, which is common for killer whales and that would be better expressed in the company of his fellow family whales,” said Pakenham.

Some say Luna should be moved closer to her pod, others say he should be placed in captivity.

The Canadian government has decided not to do anything for now, hoping Luna will find his own way home.