Rescue effort planned for baby whale

SEATTLE, Washington (CNN) -- In an unprecedented effort, the National Marine Fisheries will try to reunite a baby killer whale swimming alone in Puget Sound with its pod in Canadian waters.

If successful, it would mark the first time an orca had been reintroduced to its pod, said Bob Lohn, regional administrator for the National Marine Fisheries, based in Seattle.

Dubbed "Springer," the 1-ton female was discovered in January off the Vashon Island ferry dock in Puget Sound -- her northern killer whale pod nowhere around. Scientists who track the pod closely determined that Springer's mother had died recently.

At 18 months to 2 years of age, Springer is considered a baby among whales, for whom a life span of 80 years is not unusual.

Springer has several ailments

The plan devised by a scientific panel is to capture Springer within two to three weeks and then test, medicate and deworm her, Lohn said.

A blood sample from the animal indicates she is infected with worms, Lohn said. In addition, her fruity-smelling breath indicates she is ketotic -- burning her own fat reserves because she is not eating enough, he said.

Springer also has a skin condition known as whale pox, and an elevated immune response, both of which are caused by stress, Lohn said.

The panel has not decided where to keep Springer during her treatment and rehabilitation, but Lohn said the site would not be made public in order to keep her from sightseers.

The plan is to then take Springer several hundred miles to Johnstone Straits near Vancouver Island in British Columbia, he said.

It has not been decided how to transport the animal, but speed could prove critical, Lohn said, noting that whales are highly sensitive to stress. Among the options being considered are carrying her in a Hovercraft, towing her in a tank or penning her inside a net towed by a barge.

Whale growing too fond of humans

Once there, the mammal would be held in a penned lagoon until she became acclimated to the area. If all goes according to plan, she would then be reunited with her pod sometime between the end of July and early September, when the pod typically passes through the area, Lohn said.

Lohn said the plan must be carried out quickly if the baby is to reach adulthood. In recent weeks, Springer has become more socialized to humans, approaching boats seeking food. If that continues, the chance of her being able to reacclimate to the wild are slim, he added.

Because of its dwindling numbers, the orca enjoys protected status and is being considered for endangered status. There are about 300 of the whales in pods in the Pacific, Lohn said.

Lohn predicted the scheme will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, but said the expense could be justified as a way to learn more about the population.

"We're not in a position to guarantee outcome," he said, "but we feel this is the best way to proceed."