The orca is the mascot of the Vancouver Aquarium . The Aquarium is concerned that Bjossa, the sole surviving orca, might die soon, and is therefore very keen to secure another orca in the near future. Bjossa has been very ill during February and March of 2000.

Bjossa's mate, Finna died on October 6, 1997 after 17 years of imprisonment in Vancouver. Finna was 19 years old.

The average life span of male orcas in the wild is 50 to 60 years, and that of females is over 80 years. Up to 23 cetaceans (orcas, belugas, narwhals, and pacific white sided dolphins) have died so far in the Vancouver Aquarium. Among the dead are three baby orcas and a baby beluga.

The Aquarium is now talking about "co-managing the species" with other captive institutions, such as Sea World. The concept is that Sea World would breed orcas in captivity and then lend them out to facilities like the Vancouver Aquarium. Essentially, this represent a new phase in the evolution of orca specie. Until now we had the transient and the residential orcas, and now we'll have the captive orcas.

The Aquarium may also decide that politically it is more palatable not to bring in another killer whale, and to acquire smaller cetaceans such as bottle-nosed dolphins.