After weeks of struggle, orphaned orca brave little hunter swims to freedom

In a remarkable turn of events, the orphaned orca calf known as Kwee-sa-hay-is or Brave Little Hunter has broken free from the shallow lagoon where she had been stranded for weeks near Zeballos, B.C. The calf, accompanied by her mother at the time of the incident, found herself trapped in the lagoon on March 23 after they swam through a narrow channel connected to the ocean. Tragically, the tide left her pregnant mother beached on the rocks, leading to her demise shortly thereafter.

A concerted effort by First Nations communities and a team of marine experts ensued, dedicating weeks to coaxing the young orca out of the lagoon. Despite successful feeding attempts, concerns loomed over how the two-year-old calf would navigate her way back to open waters.

In the early hours of Friday, at high tide around 2:30 a.m., the Brave Little Hunter made her daring escape. With determination and grace, she swam past the sandbar where her mother met her fate, under a bridge, and down Little Espinosa Inlet, ultimately reaching Esperanza near Zeballos. Witnesses, including a small group from the Ehattesaht First Nation, stood vigil as they watched her journey to freedom.

Following her passage through Espinosa Inlet, the calf was spotted by the team of experts who had tirelessly worked to assist her. They trailed behind at a distance, ensuring her safe progress as she made her way toward Esperanza Inlet proper. The hope now is that the Brave Little Hunter’s calls will resonate with her family as she ventures out into the open ocean.

This heartening development marks the end of a challenging chapter for the young orca calf and the culmination of efforts from both indigenous communities and marine experts. It serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of those involved in safeguarding the well-being of our marine wildlife