For this day we step away from our normal reporting practices. Yes, the whales were around and yes we followed them through Johnstone Strait during the night and when morning broke we were more than aware of the A50s coming in for a rub from the west then heading east for a short while before returning for another rub. There was just one call that hinted that the I4s were not far away. The I4s had paired with the A50s the day before but had been virtually silent until this brief moment at the beach. By the time the two groups made it back to the entrance of Blackney Pass, the I4s were still silent, reports confirmed the presence of both groups. The two groups parted company there and then with the A50s moving north into Blackney Pass, the I4s continuing west in the Strait.
At this moment the day shifted. Jared Towers had come out specifically in response to the previous day’s concerns about I76, the oldest son of I4. He was extremely thin and having difficulties. Jared found him on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait opposite to the entrance to Blackney Pass. The rest of his small family were further away. The day was grey, the ocean only slightly agitated. As several dolphins surrounded and overwhelmed I76, his mother came flying across to him. Jared said he had never seen a Northern Resident move so fast and that she was clearly upset. From that time on his family remained close to his side with the dolphins surrounding the entire family who were more or less stationary. This continued until just before 3pm when I76 took his last breath and sank out of sight into the depths. His family lingered near his last position, then began to call.
Jared will likely take the time to recount the whole story but here at the Lab the news filled everyone with profound sadness both personally and collectively as everyone absorbed and contemplated what had happened.
Ernest Alfred happened to be here and he and a few of us went out into Johnstone Strait. There next to the mountains of Vancouver Island, near to a few dolphins who still seemingly hovered over where I76’s had his last moments and not far from his family now slowly weaving their way east, Ernest sang in Kwakwala reminding us to shed our tears before nightfall, morning would bring another ceremony fitting with the time of day and a chance to say good-bye.
Then we went home. A get together had been planned for that night and the table was already set. Our guests, the Robson Bight wardens, arrived from Boat Bay just behind our return. They, like us, were deeply affected by what had just happened and took comfort that they had come and joined us. Jared and Chloe came too.
Then I76’s family followed. They had turned and left the Strait and passed by the Lab calling all the while they moved north into Blackfish Sound where they paused not far from Flower Island. By passing us, we felt even more connected and the mood on the deck and in the Lab was somber and respectful.
To the west, another small group appeared off Malcolm Island floating below Alex’s home. A while later, it was dark now, the unmistakable calls of the A30s were heard, convincing us the A50s had returned to reunite once more with I76’s family.
The I4s then made one last brief return by themselves to Johnstone Strait. We listened as their blows moved through Blackney Pass. The A50s followed them as far as Blackney Pass coming close to Hanson Island before turning away to the north ahead of the now following I4s. After the calls of both groups faded, our thoughts and feelings about the day, about I76, about his family, about whales and mysteries we can’t explain folded into the darkness of the night.
Morning found both groups in Queen Charlotte Strait and us gathered in the main house to be guided by Ernest through a special ceremony where everyone had a chance to express their reactions and feelings. It was very touching and spoke to the thoughtfulness of each person, bringing forward the reasons why each had been drawn to whales and the gratitude they held for being here at this moment.
– words by Helena Symonds
