A lone juvenile orca has been seen numerous times in Puget Sound in recent weeks. It is extremely unusual for a young orca to be alone for so long. Researchers have been trying to determine if it is a transient orca or a member of the Northern Resident Community. Researchers say it appears healthy.

Meanwhile, an additional oddity has been reported. Today the Canadian government released information about another lone orca--this one in British Columbia. Most surprising of all, this orca has been identified as L-98 (aka Luna, in the Orca Adoption Program), a whale officially reported as missing last summer. L-98 was born in 1999 to L-67 (Splash). (However, if and until the juvenile is reunited with her family, she will not be available for adoption.)

The Whale Museum, © 2002