The Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation of British Columbia is working on an agreement to take over management of a killer whale believed to be the embodiment of a late tribal chief.

The First Nation and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will monitor Tsux'iit, also known as Luna, under a joint stewardship plan. The details are still being arranged.

Scientists were trying to remove Tsux'iit, a four-year-old orca, in order to reunite him with his family's. But tribal members objected because they weren't involved in the process.

Tsux'iit appeared shortly after the death of the late Chief Ambrose Maquinna, who said shortly before he died that he would come back as a killer whale.

Get the Story:
Fisheries dept. and First Nations agree to watch over Luna (CBC 7/29)
Short-term agreement on Luna's future (CBC 7/28)

Relevant Links:
Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation - http://www.yuquot.ca
Reunite Luna, pro-move campaign - http://www.reuniteluna.com

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Scientists support First Nation plan for moving orca (07/01)
First Nation wants official fired over orca move (6/25)
First Nation boaters prevent capture of killer whale (6/24)
First Nation boaters try again to stop capture of whale (6/23)
Scientists delay capture of orca for First Nation (6/21)
First Nation continues to sing to killer whale (6/18)
British Columbia First Nations thwart move of orca (6/17)