Science vs Spirituality


So which is he, a found spirit or a lost soul?

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) — Science and Native spirituality squared off for a second day on Thursday over plans to capture and relocate a lost and lonely killer whale on Canada’s Pacific coast.

Scientists say the whale they have nicknamed Luna must be relocated for its own safety, but the Mowachaht-Muchalaht Indian band claims a cultural connection to the animal they call Tsu ‘Xiit and believe may be the spirit of a dead chief.

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The Mowachaht-Muchalaht band say the whale arrived in their territory a week after death of a chief who had said his spirit would return as a killer whale – a culturally important animal for many Indian bands on Canada’s Pacific coast.

Whale experts say orcas are very social marine mammals, and L98’s search for human companionship has resulted in his interfering with boats and float planes that could potentially injure or kill him in a collision.