CORKY'S STORY

On December 11 1969, Corky a young female Orca was swimming freely beside her mother Stripe, in the midst of her family - the A23 matriline, in the company of the three other families that make up the A5 pod of British Columbia. Unknown to them the day would end in a storm and begin a nightmare for Corky and her family.

In the darkness, amidst the howling storm, the 12 orcas passed through the narrow entrance of Pender Harbour, the same entrance 7 of their close relatives had passed through the previous year and disappeared. The fishermen who had captured the whales in 1968 were waiting, gear ready. All night they battled the storm, attempting to set their nets around the whales. When day broke the storm had subsided and half the orcas were inside the nets. The others remained nearby, outside and still free... but soon they were trapped too. Corky's life of captivity had begun.

Corky is still in captivity in a tank at Sea World, San Diego and is the sole survivor from all the captures in British Columbia waters during the 1960s and 1970s. She remains just one of two survivors, (Lolita being the other), from all the captures in the Pacific Northwest... one northern resident survivor and one southern resident survivor from the scores taken. Both deserve a chance at picking up the threads of their lives among their families in the ocean. In Corky's case, we know precisely which matriline she comes from. Her sister Ripple (A43) now has a young calf swimming beside her, and Corkys' aunt Licka (A8), whom Corky knew well as a youngster is still alive and well into her middle age. Others in the wider community that Corky knew in her early years are still present.

We were ignorant of the nature and complexity of orca society when Corky was captured, but now we know much more. It is beyond shameful that Corky has not yet been given the opportunity to rejoin her family in the ocean, or that we have not yet been able to benefit from the opportunity to learn all that she represents. It is astounding that Sea World and Anheuser-Busch have not yet conceded that simple morality and fair play demand that Corky be given a chance to live free.

Corky has defied all odds; she presents a picture of a female orca in her middle age still healthy and energetic. Corky can resume her life in the ocean. Our commitment, and the commitment of thousands of others around the world whose lives Corky has touched is to see that she gets the chance she deserves. We invite you all to join us.

Suggestions for actions that will help Corky