In July 2015, a young, 9-year-old, 7,000-pound orca became stranded on a rocky shore in British Columbia after miscalculating her position during a hunt. Eric Keen, a whale researcher, discovered her and alerted local marine organizations for assistance. A team of rescuers, including Janie Ray and Hermann Muter, worked tirelessly for 9 hours to keep the orca cool and wet, using a makeshift water pump and seaweed-covered sheets. As the tide rose, the orca was eventually able to free herself and swam back to her pod, which had been responding to her cries for help. The successful rescue was a testament to the teamwork and dedication of the rescuers, who had given their all to save the young orca.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The event occurred on a July morning in 2015 in British Columbia.
2. Eric Keen, a whale researcher, was sailing the seas around British Columbia when he heard strange sounds.
3. Eric found a young orca beached on sharp rocks near Andrew Rocks.
4. The orca was a 9-year-old female, weighing around 7,000 pounds (3,175 kilograms).
5. Eric called the local environmental group Whale Point to report the situation.
6. Janie Ray and Hermann Muter, orca experts, were alerted to the situation and provided guidance.
7. The orca had become stranded due to a hunting mistake, and her family could not help her.
8. Eric, Janie, and Hermann worked together to keep the orca cool and wet until the tide rose.
9. They used a makeshift water pump to wet the orca's skin and covered her with cool, wet sheets.
10. The rescue effort took around 9 hours, during which time the team worked tirelessly to keep the orca cool and calm.
11. As the tide rose, the orca was eventually able to free herself from the rocks.
12. The orca was reunited with her pod after being released back into the water.
13. The rescue team used a hydrophone to listen to the orca's vocalizations and her family's responses.
14. The orca's family was located some distance away, but they eventually responded to her calls.
15. The orca swam towards her family's location, and the team was relieved to see her reunited with them.