News

Working alongside ‘Namgis First Nation, Emerald  Sea Protection Society, and Pacific  Pro Dive, Double Bay Sanctuary’s team helped  remove over 8 tons of derelict  fishing gear from North Bay in Double Bay. Clearing this material reduces entanglement risk and supports healthier coastal ecosystems for marine life and seabirds. It’s a strong example of what becomes possible when partners move together with shared responsibility and long-term commitment. For full video: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKqRmngvI7G/

On May 26, Killer Ice Cream Business in Vancouver opened its doors and chose to use  its platform to raise  public awareness about Corky. They committed to donating a percentage of proceeds to support our project  and the broader vision of returning Corky to her native waters. Community partnerships like this help turn awareness into momentum, and momentum into meaningful change. Visit their website: https://killericecream.ca/

Tom Zynski, Double Bay Sanctuary’s International Coordinator of Brazil Sings for Corky.Tom is helping expand global awareness of Corky and her story. This work connects communities through shared values, animal  dignity, ecological responsibility, and informed advocacy. It’s a reminder that local action  can ripple outward when people organize with heart  and intelligence. Listen Here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9igZECOaR4/

Beginning  April 12, Double Bay Sanctuary Manager Nicolette  Audy stayed on-site  in Zeballos for one month to support the rescue of an entrapped orca, Kʷiisaḥiʔis (Brave Little  Hunter). The effort brought together Ehattesaht First Nations, DFO, Bay Cetology, and other partners in a coordinated response aimed  at returning the whale to open ocean conditions. This rescue reflects the power of collaboration grounded in respect, expertise, and urgent care.

Today we commemorate the 54th anniversary of Corky’s capture at Pender Harbour, British Columbia on December 11, 1969.  Four year old Corky, A16, was among 12 orcas of A5 Pod captured including her mother A23 Stripe, who was later released with five others.  Corky was sold to Marineland of the Pacific in Los Angeles, joining her cousin Orky, who had been captured the year before.  They had 7 offspring, the longest living for only 46 days.  In 1987 Corky and Orky were moved to SeaWorld San Diego, where Orky died the next year.  Corky is an amazing survivor, looks strong and continues to perform shows at SeaWorld.  She is the longest surviving captive whale in the world.  We are pushing on ever harder to prepare Double Bay Sanctuary to be Corky’s retirement home and house a SeaWorld team to give Corky the continuity of quality care she now receives.  The Sanctuary features a 15 acre doubled netted enclosure, big enough for Corky and a companion orca, and includes feeding and medical stations.  Unlike other winters when we shut down, we have a construction crew working on site throughout the winter.  We continue to request a meeting with SeaWorld management to present our full proposal for Corky’s retirement and repatriation to her home waters.

The sudden passing of Tokitae, “Toki” (Lolita) at the Miami Seaquarium on August 18, 2023 was shocking and devastating. A ceremony will be held soon in Bellingham, Washington by the Lummi Tribe, who played a major role in efforts to repatriate Toki. A goal at Double Bay Sanctuary is to keep the legacy of Toki alive by inspiring and encouraging marine parks to join with a growing movement building sanctuaries and retiring their performing orcas and other cetaceans to these sanctuaries for an improved quality of life in natural ocean settings with continued feeding, wellness, and medical care. Despite grieving the loss of Toki, Double Bay Sanctuary is resolved more than ever to complete the rebuild of the former fishing lodge to house a care team for Corky in a 15 acre netted enclosure in Double Bay. Last year we reached out to SeaWorld several times requesting a meeting to present a comprehensive proposal for the retirement of Corky to the Sanctuary and offered an all expense paid trip for a SeaWorld team to visit the Sanctuary.  At one point they did request more communications and we immediately sent more detailed information, but never received a response. In recognition of the United Nations Declarations of Rights of Indigenous People and the principle of free, prior, and informed Indigenous consent, we have started engagement with the ‘Namgis First Nation on our approach to the return of Corky and look forward to the development of a lasting and meaningful relationship with them. In addition, we are working on more ways for the public to help us in our efforts to retire Corky…