About
SpringerIn January 2002, a young, lone female
orca was discovered in Puget Sound. The female was soon identified as A73 / Springer on February 22, 2002,
an orca of the Northern Resident community; she was far
away from home and looked sick.
A sample was taken from Springer and it was later discovered she was suffering from Ketosis. Springer was born to mother A45 / Sutlej in 2000 but unfortunately Sutlej disappeared in 2001 leaving Springer as an orphan. The young orca was playful and risked her life by coming close to boats and even ferries.
A rescue operation was decided in March and her health had been getting worse as she was not eating properly so Springer was captured on June 13, 2002. She was transported to a sea pen and her health was determined. She was fed live salmon (25 kg a day), which were placed in the pen through a long pipe that was passed through at random times and random quantities; a screen was put up so the human contact was minimized.
At capture, she was quite dehydrated and received a large quantity of water on a barge. She was monitored 24 hours with 5 cameras and security guards around the pen in response to fears of animal activists. On July 13, 2002, Springer was transported to Johnstone Strait in British Columbia. She was put into another sea pen and the date for the release was discussed. Soon after, one of Springer's relatives arrived (her grandmother's sister). Springer was immediately released but she didn't join her family. For many months she was seen with many other orca pods of the Northern Residents. In 2005 she became a permanent member of Yakat's pod and is seen with them very often.
A sample was taken from Springer and it was later discovered she was suffering from Ketosis. Springer was born to mother A45 / Sutlej in 2000 but unfortunately Sutlej disappeared in 2001 leaving Springer as an orphan. The young orca was playful and risked her life by coming close to boats and even ferries.
A rescue operation was decided in March and her health had been getting worse as she was not eating properly so Springer was captured on June 13, 2002. She was transported to a sea pen and her health was determined. She was fed live salmon (25 kg a day), which were placed in the pen through a long pipe that was passed through at random times and random quantities; a screen was put up so the human contact was minimized.
At capture, she was quite dehydrated and received a large quantity of water on a barge. She was monitored 24 hours with 5 cameras and security guards around the pen in response to fears of animal activists. On July 13, 2002, Springer was transported to Johnstone Strait in British Columbia. She was put into another sea pen and the date for the release was discussed. Soon after, one of Springer's relatives arrived (her grandmother's sister). Springer was immediately released but she didn't join her family. For many months she was seen with many other orca pods of the Northern Residents. In 2005 she became a permanent member of Yakat's pod and is seen with them very often.
- Springer means "Lively, nimble person" in Anglo Saxon
- Springer is pronouced "SPRING-ur"
- Blood Type: 100% Northern Resident
- Current status: alive
Relatives
& Offspring| Great Grandmother: Grandmother: Mother: Siblings: Great Aunts & Uncles: Aunts & Uncles: Cousins: Nieces & Nephews: Offspring: |
A10* Kelsey Sutlej* A68* A19*, A47*, Yakat, A41*, A49*, Scylla*, Surf*, Schooner, Magin, Toba, Cypress A65*, Kiltik, Racey*, Sunny, A76*, Roller, Nalau, Pine, A100 Skeena*, Skagit, Siwiti*, Nahwitti, A87*, A97*, Kanish, none |
Transfers- June 13, 2002 - July 13, 2002 Manchester Sea Pen, WA