Whose worldview

Canada's lonely killer whale dies

A lonely killer whale that captured the hearts of many Canadians is believed to have died after being hit by a tugboat propeller, officials have said.

The orca, nicknamed Luna, became separated from his family off Vancouver Island in British Columbia in 2001, and soon started playing with boats.

It later sparked a fierce row between scientists and aboriginal Indians.

The Indians thwarted efforts to reunite Luna with his pod, believing he was the reincarnation of a dead chief. ...

The 1.8-tonne whale proved an instant hit with tourists, and his exploits soon gained attention in the world media.

Despite this, scientists - who had seen him as a safety hazard - wanted to return Luna to its family, some 300km down the coast.

Aboriginal Indians, however, managed to derail the effort.

They had told the story of their chief who on his deathbed in 2001 promised to return as a whale.

Three days after the chief died, Luna first appeared in their harbour.

The Indians used their traditional canoes to lure Luna away from the scientists' pen.

This is so interesting--a literal collision between the modern world and tradition. Wonder what the Indian tribe makes of the manner of their reincarnated chief's death....

Photo of 'Luna' by the AP.