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OrcaLab News |
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Here are some thoughts to go with the sad 42nd anniversary of Corky’s capture, on December 11th, 1969, From Corky to Morgan Morgan - you may not know who I am but like you I am an orca, a captive orca. Forty-two years ago, on a stormy night my family happened into a small bay where men suddenly appeared and surrounded us with nets. My mother was with me. We did not know what to do. The men shouted over the storm and rushed about with boats and more nets as the rains and the wind swirled all around us. We stayed close together. The night was horrible. When morning came the storm passed. The waters became calm but the men were still busy, still shouting, still running about in boats and on shore pushing the nets and logs. We stayed still, very still. I huddled close to my mother. Like you, I was very young and scared. Soon, too soon the men came near and separated me from my mother and suddenly she was gone. The men took me from the water. I could not move. I was trapped. My heart ached. There were strange noises, darkness and movement. I think Morgan, you know about this for it has happened to you too. After what seemed like a long, long time there was bright sunlight and I could feel myself back in water. But it was not my ocean home. I swam to explore. I was not alone. There were others and this was a comfort but they were not my mother and I was forever sad. All of my companions, save one, died soon after. Then my babies, one after the other, six in all. My life took one more turn. My partner and I were moved again. This water was bigger, noisier, more crowded with strangers. I had no more babies and my partner soon died. I stayed alive. Why? What am I waiting for? My memories of my family, my mother and my ocean home will not let me go so I circle and circle again, round and around and around, dreaming. Morgan, will you ......wait? remember? dream? photo credit: Alexandra Morton (A5 pod photo on front page), and Megan Young
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