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Rehabilitated orca spotted with calf

Orca Springer

Springer, the orca that was rescued and rehabilitated off the coast of Seattle in 2002, has been spotted with a calf near Vancouver Island.

Department of Fisheries researchers were completing an annual photo-identification study of northern resident killer whales off Vancouver Island when they spotted the mother and calf.

John Ford, of the Department of Fisheries, states, “I think this clearly is another sign that such rehabilitation is possible. We are, of course, very pleased and gratified that after all the effort that went into Springer’s rehabilitation and release by so many different groups and people that she continued to thrive.”

Read the full story, including the recap of Springer’s rescue and reunion here.