page_title: Luna (killer whale)
section_title: Appearance in Nootka Sound
hierarchical_section_title: Luna (killer whale) / Appearance in Nootka Sound
caption_attribution_description: English: A view of Muchalat Inlet of Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
context_page_description: Luna also known as L98 or Tsux'iit, was a killer whale born in Puget Sound. After being separated from his mother while still young, Luna spent five years in Nootka Sound, an ocean inlet of western Vancouver Island, where he had extensive human contact and became recognized internationally.
  Although Luna was healthy and his presence in the area attracted extensive publicity, there were concerns that his behavior could endanger watercraft and people. After years of debate, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans authorized an effort in June 2004 to rescue Luna and return him to his pod. The plan was opposed by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations, who believed Luna was the reincarnation of a former chief. Remaining alone in Nootka Sound, Luna was killed accidentally by a tugboat propeller in March 2006.
context_section_description: Over the winter of 2000-2001, five members of L-pod disappeared, considerably more than the typical mortality rate of one or two animals per year. In July 2001, Luna – with an estimated length of 12 feet (3.7 m) – reappeared alone in Muchalat Inlet of Nootka Sound, and by the fall, appeared to be in good health, feeding on sardines. Muchalat Inlet extends inland from Nootka Sound, approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) wide, 55 kilometres (34 mi) long, and with a maximum depth of 340 metres (1,120 ft), to the town of Gold River on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
  The Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations band named Luna "Tsux'iit" when he appeared in Gold River Inlet a few days after the death of Chief Ambrose Maguinna. Because the Chief had said he wished to return after death as an orca or wolf, the band believed that the appearance of Luna was symbolic and likely to be the reincarnation of Maguinna.
  At first Luna, avoided boats and kept his distance from people. DFO tried to keep Luna's presence in Nootka Sound a secret until December 2001, by which time he had been there for six months. International attention was diverted from Luna when Springer (A73) appeared alone in Puget Sound, becoming the orca center of attention in 2002.
caption: Float plane dock at Muchalat Inlet of Nootka Sound
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