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The Whale Museum News & Events Updated: 4/5/04 Luna relocation plan announced This morning Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the United States NOAA Fisheries announced official plans to reunite Luna (L-98) with his pod. The Vancouver Aquarium and The Whale Museum have been selected as partners in the reunification process. The Vancouver Aquarium will provide planning, logistic support, equipment and expertise (just as with the orphaned killer whale Springer) to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Whale Museum's Soundwatch program will work in collaboration with Canadian and U.S. officials for the post-reintroduction monitoring and stewardship efforts. Together these two initiatives create a complete plan for the rescue and relocation of Luna, all activities and operations will be conducted in full consultation and partnership with both government agencies. Rescuing and returning Luna to his pod will be expensive and complex. While the two governments have committed approximately $200,000 US, estimates of the overall operation run about $500,000 US. Donations are critical to making the reunification possible as neither The Whale Museum nor The Vancouver Aquarium can fund the operation out of their normal operating budgets. Both federal agencies have agreed that the Luna reunification project cannot begin until all of the needed funds are in place. Tax-deductible contributions to the Luna reunification effort can be made either to The Whale Museum's Luna Stewardship Fund or to the Vancouver Aquarium. Please have your credit card information ready if you are phoning in a donation.
Tax receipts for donations from corporations and foundations can be issued from the Vancouver Aquarium to donors from both Canada and the United States. Individual U.S. contributors who wish to donate over $500 must do so through The Whale Museum's Luna Stewardship Fund in order to get a full tax receipt. How will your donation be used? Donations will be used for boat charters and fuel, temporary net pens, transportation, health testing, and rental or purchase of necessary supplies, equipment and services. If sufficient funds are not raised and we cannot execute the rescue and relocation plan, the Vancouver Aquarium will redirect the donated funds to their Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation program. Un-used funds from The Whale Museum's Luna Stewardship Fund will be redirected to ongoing conservation efforts for the Southern Resident Orca population.
There is no guarantee that the effort to return Luna will be successful, but the Canadian and U.S. governments, The Vancouver Aquarium, and The Whale Museum are determined to give Luna the best possible chance. Links to press releases from DFO and NOAA: NOAA News Release (pdf, 27k) http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/mmammals/whales/L98/l98plannews.pdf Joint U.S./Canada Reintroduction Plan (pdf, 142k) http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/mmammals/whales/L98/index.htm DFO News Release http://www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pages/release/p-releas/2004/nr020_e.htm The Whale Museum, © 2003 |
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The Whale Museum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization registered with the Secretary of State in Olympia, Washington. b |