Man recalls orca's capture

Every year on the anniversary of Corky's capture off Vancouver Island, Paul Spong thinks about the "sad tale" of how six wild whales were turned into captives.

Spong burns a candle every Dec. 11 at his whale research station on Hanson Island to show he is thinking about the day in 1969 when six killer whales from northern resident pods were captured and sold to aquariums.

Five died within the first few years of captivity. But Corky -- five years old when she was caught -- survived these 39 years, and has been known since her capture as Shamu to SeaWorld San Diego visitors.

"Her story is a sad tale and sorry commentary on how our relationship with nature can be bent and distorted for self-gain," said Spong, who has led an unsuccessful campaign to have Corky freed.

Even though Corky continues to circle endlessly around her concrete tank, the efforts have not been in vain, Spong said.

"Thousands have acted on her behalf during protests," he said. "It has been an amazing effort in the face of her captors' continued intransigence." Although Corky is old for a captive orca, she is not old for an orca in the wild. "If she was put in the ocean, where she could hear the sounds of her family, it might give her a new lease on life," he said.

SeaWorld spokesmen could not be reached for comment. Earlier this year, it said releasing Corky would expose her to tremendous risks. "The plan would almost certainly end in her death," the centre said.