An attempt to rescue a stranded baby orca on Friday was “close but unsuccessful” according to officials with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Dozens of people attempted the rescue operation in a remote lagoon on Vancouver Island.
They attempted to move a two-year-old orca calf stranded near Zeballos B.C.
The orca’s pregnant mother was beached at low tide two weeks ago and died.
Since then, Ehattesaht First Nation members and representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Vancouver Aquarium have been preparing to move her into the open ocean.
Equipment has been moving in over the past few days.
The plan was to hoist the baby orca, nicknamed “Brave Little Hunter” with a giant net onto a flatbed truck.
Officials had hoped to carry her a short distance and then release her into open water.
It is unclear when another attempt to rescue her could be made.