The Southern and Northern Vancouver Island Community of orcas were "harvested". There were 67 taken. 11 died during captures, 54 were sent to aquariums and two were sold to the US Navy. An estimated 48 orcas were from the Southern Community. These captures have resulted in a an abnormal age and sex ratio in this community, and consequently in a very low birth rate. Today the southern community of orcas is continuing to decline, with the mortality rate being higher then the birth rate.
The Vancouver Aquarium is therefore, at least in part, directly responsible for the current population decline in these populations.
The damage inflicted upon these orca communities by these kidnappings is further exacerbated by the industrial chemical contamination of the orca's habitat, and the loss of food supply due to the destruction of salmon streams by industrial logging and by over fishing.
On March 19, 2000 a dead orca named J-18, also known as Everett, washed up on the beaches of Tsawwassen, a town close to Vancouver. Everett was part of the J-pod of B.C.'s southern community of killer whales. He died of PCB contamination. PCB contamination, and a decline in their food supply of fish, is further endangering the orca population of British Columbia.
