A newborn killer whale found on a Mexican beach has become the centre of an international controversy over whether the young animal should stay in Mexico or be sent to SeaWorld where she would join other killer whales that live in a tank and perform tricks for thousands of visitors.

Mexican aquarium workers have been feeding the 6 week old female, nicknamed Pascuala around the clock since she was found. If she survives, the aquarium's owners want to send her to SeaWorld in San Diego, California. The Mexican government's environmental protection agency has so far blocked a transfer to San Diego, the Marine Connection welcomes the objection and have written to the President and also the Mexican Ambassador in London to this effect. "Whilst it is commendable that the Mexican aquarium are understandably concerned that their pool is too small for the needs of this orca and unquestionably the tanks at SeaWorld are larger, they are still tanks. In our opinion, the Mexican Government should look at other alternatives for this animal, rather than simply accept SeaWorlds' offer, who of course would welcome this young whale into their facility, whales are expensive animals and to be offered an animal free of charge from a rescue situation would not only generate PR but also would make financial sense to the company."

If Mexico refuses the transfer to SeaWorld, Pascuala could be released into the ocean but a successful reintroduction could be difficult for an animal raised with human contact and being fed by hand. Scientists would have to find Pascuala's family and hope they would accept her however a similar reunion with another young killer whale off Vancouver Island in 2003 was successful when it became separated from her pod.

Springer, as she came to be known, was eventually reunited with her family, the A4 pod, off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Springer was also just a baby when she became lost after her mother died, therefore a reunion for Pascuala is not impossible and to simply settle for an easy option, which would force her to live in captivity for the remainder of her life is not the first option that should be considered.

Born to be wild - should Pascuala have the chance to swim free?