By Paul Boring, Aug 16 2006 (Whidbey News Times)

Whale lovers migrated to Coupeville last week to pay tribute to the majestic gentle giants slain or captured during the infamous Penn Cove orca captures of the 1970s.

The Orca Network's annual commemoration was both melancholy and optimistic. Attendees remembered the late orca Luna, who was tragically killed in a March tug boat accident in Canada, and learned that Lolita, the sole survivor of the Penn Cove captures, may one day be returned home from her current confinement at Miami Seaquarium.

The long-running Lolita campaign previously hit a major roadblock when the facility owner refused to part with the whale, who has been a major moneymaker. Now, with two prominent Miami businessmen pledging their support to the cause and the Seaquarium owners shifting their focus to dolphin shows, the timing is opportune to make a push for Lolita.

“Maybe the time is right for them to be the good guys and let her come home,” said Susan Berta of the Orca Network.

Orca Network members will meet with the businessmen in Miami next month to discuss the next step. Additionally, space is being set aside for a local orca specialist to set up camp in Miami as the campaign gains steam.

“KIRO News came up on Monday to do a little piece on Lolita,” Berta said.

Although the 40 to 45 people who attended the event was below the expected attendance, the Orca Network representative said more money than usual came in via the silent auction.

“We had some wonderful, generous auction items from wonderful, generous people,” Berta said, adding that the smaller venue at the Island County Historical Society Museum could not have accommodated many more people.

Funds generated by the commemoration will be used in the Lolita campaign, as well as for all educational efforts, including community presentations locally and off-island.

Suzanne Chisholm of Mountainside Films gave a presentation remembering Luna. Berta said Chisholm possesses the uncanny ability to impart heartbreaking information, while managing to keep the mood upbeat or, at least, bittersweet.

“It was a very touching presentation,” Berta said.

An award-winning documentary produced by two Coupeville High School students was also a highlight of the evening, as was a presentation on a research project aimed at recovering orca remains believed to be buried on Whidbey Island.

Prior to the commemoration, an Oak Harbor resident contacted the Orca Network with information that could help narrow the search for the bones. The caller verified that bones were buried north of Oak Harbor, an auspicious lead for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries scientists carrying out the research project.

The commemoration culminated with a waterside ceremony where Ray Fryberg of the Tulalip Canoe Family Singers and other Tulalip tribe members created a reverent ambiance through melodic drumming and singing. Berta added to the mood with her wooden flute. After stories were shared and the orca communities’ future was discussed, a traditional wreath was tossed into the water.

“It was special having members of the Tulalip tribe here,” Berta said, adding that the Orca is a totemic symbol of the Pacific Northwest tribe.

Source: Whidbey News Times