Kiska an Orca Whale has passed. Her life was one of aloneness and heartbreak. She was known as “the loneliest orca in the world”. Captured at the age of 3 in 1979 she was sold into a life of captivity.
She gave birth to five calves, all of who passed away. This has been talked about many times on the news and written articles about whales being very bonded to family. They mourn the loss of a loved one especially a calf immensely. Tahlequah a female orca carried her dead calf for 17 days after passing.
The last 12 years of Kiska’s life she was forced to spend by herself. Whales are very social and this would have been extremely stressful. She was confined where she was only able to swim small circles. No way to stretch and move through the open waters like others of her species.
Her life is heartbreaking to hear about and unthinkable to try and feel how Kiska must have felt over the 40+ years of captivity. There is a whale & dolphin sanctuary being built off Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia which is good news for those still in captivity.
Although what about other marine life, for example Smooshi a walrus. Smooshi’s trainer could no longer support how Smooshi was living. He left his position and started campaigning for Smooshi to have a better life. Smooshi and her baby Koyuk as of March 1, 2023 have been relocated. Still not where they rightfully should have lived their lives the new location sounds better with Smooshi and Koyuk being reunited as they had been separated.
The question remains should these animals or any wild animal be taken from their natural habitat? Why do corporations or individuals feel they have the right to decide where the animals should live and how they should live their lives? Why do corporations or individuals not care that these animals are being taken away from their families and habitat?
For this to change for all the animals, other corporations and individuals and all of us as a collective will need our voices to be heard for the ones who voices are not being heard.