Through all the political dealings over Luna - one rule should have been put in place:

NO MOTORIZED VESSEL WITHIN 20 MILES OF THE AREA WITHOUT A PROPELLOR SAFETY COVER.

(Anybody that has a boat should consider putting one on for the love of underwater creatures.)

Feb , 2008 L pod was seen off Monterey Bay in central California. The sighting marks the SIXTH winter in a row that southern resident killer whales have been seen off California. Luna's family could have been found and Luna should have been airlifted to them.

Why the DFO didn't do more is astounding and quite depressing.

What an amazing documentary....

I don't think I've ever been so touched by a documentary ever before...It's left me in tears. Earth is an amazing place for so many reasons, and this is one of them.

Beautiful documentary, I'm still crying.

Amazing!!! Just goes to show that not everything works the way we think it should..Sometimes "gifts" come along and make us open our eyes. We should thank Luna for a great lesson.....

Thank you for your documentary on Saving Luna. I just finished reading the book by Peter Heller entitled, "whale Warrior". Like the people who were guardians for Luna, so Peter Watson and his organization Sea Shepard have made it their life's mission to save whales from harm. This book is a must read. It shows how brutal humans can be and how arrogant we are as a species. It made me feel embarrased to be a part of this race.
These are beautiful creatures who need our understanding and support!

This is an AWESOME documentary. I only moved to BC 2 yrs ago, and have actually visited the Gold River dock where the story takes place.
I wish I could have been there to see Luna, this movie was the next best thing! Keep up the good work!

Wow! We are all so minor in the grand plan.
Luna is beauty at best

What a wonderful documentary it is!

I found this documentary very moving. Everyone should see this to understand how nature can change the very means of everything. Luna changed how everyone thought of wild animals in that cove. But, they should have understood just how easy nature could easily be changed by man.

I would like to know how to get a copy of this documentary, we lived right in Mooyah Bay before and during the time that Luna first came out there and the stewardship group of ladies lived in our house. The film brought back many memories and tears to us and we would like to hear back from you.

Excellent film showing how far we still have to go as humans to understand this world?

Completely amazing documentary and very well put together! Thank you so much for bringing joy and pride to heart.
The lessons are deep and we all can take some serious lessons from this experience!
I met Tsuxit (Luna) and was happy to see the film brought out his true nature - friendly and fun!
I pray that we learn to work together and use our instincts in the future.
Peace and love to all those involved in this memorable journey!
I will forever remember Tsuxit every time I travel Gold River and will carry the many lessons I learned.

We'd just like to let people who have watched SAVING LUNA know that we'll be reading comments here and will try to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your interest in Luna.

Best wishes,

Mike Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm
Directors, SAVING LUNA

Awesome! Hopefully more people will understand that we are all connected. People - Animals - Nature. Luna was very special!

The most amazing documentary i have ever seen. This whale was an increadible gift from nature which should be rememberd as a miracle. Thank you cbc for airing this piece.

This documentary was informative and insightful. The scenery was breathtaking and the storyline incredible. My only thought is that it should be on early in the daytime so more children can see it.

This may be one of the more touching animal/nature documentaries I have ever seen. It speaks volues about how we as humans treat nature and the environment around us. While there are many who share the idea that nature is a resource and should therefore be used as how we see fit, or that nature is inherently separate from human civilization and should therefore be treated as such with hard boundaries, I believe there are many who understand that we are inherently part of our environment where events both natural and anthropogenic impact both "worlds." The film asks what Luna's life teaches us. Luna taught me that we are inherently linked to all that surrounds us and that we have a responsibility to treat the beings around us with respect despite their species.

This documentary was moving and touched us in a way that in which reminds us that we live in a world which we are intruders to the animals and creatures who come before us.

It is sad that this lovely creature who only wanted to have a unique relationship with people had to end up sacrificing its life to do so.

We have to learn to have compassionate for all creatures and I think that this was one of the teaching that Luna gave us.

This documentary broke my heart. It sends a strong signal that laws and regulations should not always dictate the ways in which we interact with nature. The inconsistency in the ways Luna was dealt with, being ignored one minute and befriended the next, proved to be detrimental to Luna. This was an extraordinary case. I can understand if a whale happened to venture into a coastal inlet that he should be ignored and encouraged back into the wild. However, Luna's case is different. The DFO was not involved extensively until after the whale had been befriended, making the "tough love" technique futile for Luna. I believe that interaction with Luna should have been planned, permits should have been issued allowing select officials to safeguard the whale. This documentary was extremely touching and I hope it signals an inquiry with recommendations, perhaps by the Royal Commission, in order to address the jurisdictional and authority conflicts that arose in the Luna case. This rare case shows us the interconnectedness of both our ecosystem and our psychologies. Luna wanted friendship and was willing to risk his life for it, I believe he should have had this right and rather than denying him that the DFO should have controlled an environment or allowed permits so that Luna's wants could have been satisfied without harm to him or others. Thanks for this inspiring work CBC.

Could it be possible that once in our history of mankind that we do not have to dominate over nature... that once we can touch nature as it touches us. Luna was a child looking for a mother and afamily. Could the department of fisheries not provide a mother for this baby whale by looking after it on a full time basis. If we know that when wild animals and people colide there is harm to the animals. Then if they choose to be with us, and what a honour that is, that we could look after them as nature looks after us. Shame on you the Department of Fisheries for making decisions , sitting in your offices without truly understanding the breed you confess to protect . Luna was 4 years old... did you ever do a study of his behaviour or did you sit in your offices making decision on paper when Luna was at risk. Shame on you. I will never for get this until I die.

As a resident of Gold River, I remember how Luna brought most of the townspeople together. Luna became a mascot who many loved dearly.

Yes, his behaviour was unappreciated by many on the water; but those people wouldn't look at his actions from his perspective. That was a major problem of the DFO's as well. Then, when the government refused to tell us what they intended to do with Luna, leaving everyone to put the pieces together, all support for their plan died.

As Mr. Parfit said, the government needed to be brave... and wasn't.

I'm going to hug Jamie James when I see him next.

Absolutely the most beautiful work of art I have ever seen (not only the movie, but Luna himself). A perfect illustration of both humanity and calamity. I found it a struggle to watch the last few scenes of the movie as my eyes were blurred by tears. It was an extraordinary story and is one that I will never forget. I would just like to express my gratitude and warmest thoughts to Luna's 'friends'. Compassionate and comforting, thank God you were there.

This was a very Touching & Enlightening Film. I Enjoyed it So Much, but was Heartbroken at the Loss of Luna!
We Share this World with So Many Species, Respect & Understanding is Essential, for Us All to Survive.
Unfortunately those "In Charge", Do Not Always Know what is Best!
All this Wonderful Little Whale Wanted, was Friendship & Interaction. Not Too Much To Ask For!!!
Thanks To, Michael Parfit & Suzanne Chisholm For This Documentary, And Telling Us The Story Of Luna's Short Life!

I just finished watching your documentary "Saving Luna". How deeply saddened I was that more was not done from those who had the power to do so to help protect this little whale. Why is it that when something as wonderful as Luna comes along in nature, something so special, so one of a kind...we as humans do what we always do...take it for grant it until it is too late. I was thankful to see that this little whale had what most people don't....love in his heart for all kind.

Does anyone know of any organizations or anything in Toronto or Ottawa that I can get involved in regarding Orca whales, and marine animals in general? I would love to help in any way I can, but I don't know where to get started. Any help pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!!

This documentary was the best thing I've seen in years. It really touched my heart, many thanks to Mike and Suzanne for making it so we can all see Luna's beauty up close :)

This documentary was excellent, and deeply touching. I'm incredibly sad that Luna died, and wish that DFO reconnected Luna with its pod. Failing the reconnection, the right thing to do would have been to set up a "friend" program -- essentially a government sponsored continuation of what the documentary film makers (Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit) were already doing. I'm disheartened with how the DFO handled this situation. Nature reached out to us, and we failed it.

A deeply touching and engaging documentary and one I will never forget. Those who met Luna were truly blessed. Luna's extraordinary friendship was something we all can learn from.

A very touching documentary indeed. It touched and sliced my heart to know the end of Luna. While watching the documentary, I was hoping for the happy ending where Luna would be transported and reunited back to be with his family. I could just wish us human should just do the right thing for the whale since the very beginning, which was send him back to his family. I just can't understand why anybody would want to interfere with the plans in the first place. Everybody wants the best for the whale isn't it? which was to reunite him with his family. Then why didn't we?

I was so touched by this documentary and by Luna. Luna didn’t give up in trying to connect in some way with some other being no matter how lost he was. I’m also touched by the human beings who tried in their own ways, according to their own worldviews – to save Luna. Who knows what kind of life Luna may have had in an aquarium/zoo. Would he have been happy? What kind of freedom did he really enjoy? Although he could move freely, he seemed confined – far from other orcas – and with mixed messages from humans – the only other kind that he seemed able to connect with. The misunderstandings and miscommunication between the humans is also a tragedy. It is so sad that although we are the same species, we could not come together and communicate openly to come up with a plan to best help Luna. This whale child was a playful, healing spirit who mirrored that we need not fear connecting with other beings and to never give up in seeking meaningful connections and understanding.

This documentary was amazingly well put together and did a wonderful job at portraying both the beautiful and ugly realities of human nature. It was so inspiring to see so many people come to the rescue of one of nature's troubled souls and then yet so heart wrenching and disgusting to hear the ignorant and hate filled comments of the others who were "inconvenienced". I just wish more people shared the perspective of those who attempted to protect Luna. There are too many people who form their opinions according to their attachment to material possessions or who are guided by plain ignorance and lack of education. The "man" who announced his joy, at the end of the documentary, upon hearing of Luna's tragic death is a prime example of the negative side of human nature and who we should all strive never to be. Unlike that individual we should all aim to form our opinions and perspectives based on a combination of intellect and our hearts. If this were achieved the perpetuation of hatred would cease and a happier world would not be so far from our grasp.
I loved this documentary for it's honesty and for reminding us that humanity is innately good despite what many might believe.

I loved the documentary .. very powerful .. I love Orcas and Luna's story is one of the reasons we need to understand the complexities of life .. both for the Orcas and for us humans. Luna was there to teach us something, this story tells us that.

Grace

II was so sad i cried . I love luna she was funny. It was so sad. I dont like the lady who didnt allow people to pet her or even look at her. I hope zshe dosent have any kids. She wouldnt make a good MOTHER!

The most amazing thing is that nobody took real action to save Luna, excepting first nation. My opinion is that Luna shoud be moved back o her crowd when he appeared in the area.
Another thing is to see how limited the human is by Law. Luna was KILLED.

Saving Luna was a beautiful documentary.
It both moved me and disgusted me. Once again this film has proven that beaurocrats cannot see beyond their book ridden noses to see the big picture of life. Luna was an exception to the rule and they could not see past their own unimaginative and souless egos to actually save this magical loving mammal. My taxes will be spent protecting crimiinals, trying to save a culture who feels they can rape their women, and yet we could not save this whale? Why did they not allow the million dollars from the private sector to form a team of people who would have dedicated their lives to keeping this whale safe and out of harms way. There are many people who would have made this their mission in life. But no....we are too stupid a species to see what is truly a life given opportunity. History of mankind never changes. There were scholars and beaurocrats who forced everyone to thnk the world was flat. Persecutions of anything or anyone which might not follow "THE RULES"
Ms. Joyce seemed to be devoid of having any imagination and spirituality. There was more life force in Luna in one "exception to the rule" Perhaps fear of not feeling superior scared her and all of the rednecks who wanted him shot.
Our species will destroy ourselves and this documentary is a testament to why!! The natives have had it right all along and yet we have tried to destroy them as well. We should be ashamed at our stupidity when we have the capability of being so much more.

What a great doc ! Everyone should see this>

I loved this film

My heart aches for the loss of Luna not only to those special people who were honoured by his friendship but also for a policy of bureaucratic idiosy that virtually ignored the exceptional relationship he shared with the people of Nootka Sounds. Thanks to this exquisite documentary Luna's legacy will be enjoyed by me for years to come, long after the tears have dried....

I understand that we should not be-friend wild animals, but once that line has been crossed then we are responsible as a society. I think that Luna should have been re-located, I feel if this was done then he might still be here today. It was inevitable that something bad would happen to him.... I know that while Luna was there I would have not been able to resist giving him all the love that I possibly could. I loved this film, but was so saddened in the end. How do we really know what is right? Luna's situation was unique and I think that there should have been unconventional methods of dealing him..... I fell in love with Luna in this film and I hope this tragic end will teach us all a lesson.

The Government's 'wellmeaning' behavuour in this powerful and tragic film can only be depicted in the same realm as The Keystone Cops or The Three Stooges ... clearly we need to re-examine the lies, the amount of money spent, (the amount of money devoted to this agency) the protocols, & the positions held by these idiots.

This doc was BRILLIANT.
I am still in tears.
I am so saddened by what happened to Luna! I wish we could have done more to save him.
I wish I could have met him.
He broke all boundaries...he showed the world that there is love, friendship and hope...have faith in the impossible and it will become possible...whoever thought that man and killer whale could bond...LUNA made it possible. He is a legend never to be forgotten!
My heart goes out to all those that made Luna apart of their daily lives!

I wasn't sure if I should watch this documentary as I knew the outcome of Luna's story and I remember how devastated I was. I though perhaps it was best I not watch it. But then I realized that yes, I needed to see the whole story.

I was heartbroken and furious. The audacity to suggest that it was inappropriate for people to interfere with Luna and provide the friendship he so desperately needed was horrific. The hypocrisy was reprehensible.

Humans have been bringing animals into captivity and domesticating them for thousands of years. Whales and dolphins and other sea mammals have been put on display in public aquariums for decades. Somehow we managed to convince ourselves that we had the capacity to provide for their basic needs in the homes that we created for them. Aquarium handlers know that these animals crave friendship and affection. Part of the interaction with the animals is to provide that basic, essential need. So why is it different for an animal that is in its own environment but isolated from its own kind?

If what the DFO said was true about humans not being able to understand what the animals need, then why are we still permitted to keep animals in captivity, whether a zoo or an aquarium -- or even as housepets?

I believe that there are people who do know and do understand. Jane Goodall spent years living with gorillas to understand them. There are people in the world with the capacity to understand and help. If we give them the chance to do right for animals such as Luna, then the world is a much better place.

The DFO should be ashamed.

First off I would like to say that my daughter and I watched this heart felt story she is only 13 but would love to do something in Marine biology. We were in total shock after considering the movie was called SAVING LUNA not KILLING LUNA. It is disgusting that people had that power to do something to help Luna and chose to not do what was best for him. I was even more appalled at the older gentleman that was a poor excuse for a living human being that wanted Luna dead and was happy when he did die. He is disgusting. Luna was a baby and he needed the interaction of human companship seeing as he didn't have his faimly and people let him down. Also the ministry of fisheries should be ashamed of their selves but I guess this is a decision they will have to live with the rest of their lives. I beleive the natives had good intentions but they also were wrong Luna should have been moved and maybe today he would be with his faimly. Although not many people may not agree with captivity Luna would still be alive today and would get the companship that he required. The goverment should be ashamed of thereselves.

I don't understand, this was our opportunity to do it the right way!

Wild animals are always taken away from their natural environment for a wide range of purposes. In many cases, they are confined to serve humans for life and in cruel conditions.

Somehow, like if we deserved a chance, this one single beautiful creature came to us begging for companionship and affection, and to teach us more than we would ever know; and how did we response? Shame on those who acted like barbarians and my deep thank you to those who gave Luna the love and comfort it deserved. Thank you to those who participated in this amazing documentary; by sharing Luna's story and spreading such valuable lessons this tragic outcome has a less bitter taste.

Rest in piece sweet Luna, you no longer need to suffer.

I happened to catch the documentary "Saving Luna" last night and find that I am still so moved (and very saddened) by it today that I just wanted to send a quick note to say how well-done I thought the documentary was.

I recall this story playing out in the media years ago, but it was happening "a world away from me", on the west coast of British Columbia and, until I saw this film, I had no idea of the full gamut of the emotional dispute going on behind all the headlines.

As I watched the program, I found myself waiting for the happy ending, but instead grew angrier and angrier, and even despaired at the way we humans (who arrogantly think of ourselves as superior sentient beings), handled (or mishandled) the delicate future of this lovely mammal. I found myself feeling slightly ashamed of our human arrogance as the dispute dragged on and on, for years, while the lost and lonely orca was permitted (by our inaction) to romp playfully in that busy fjord, alternately being lavished with attention and having it withdrawn abruptly by the Ministry's finger-wagging, waffling, and threats of prosecution to those who DID actually try to offer the orca some companionship and lead it out to open sea to rejoin its own pod. The ultimate outcome, death by a tugboat's propeller blade, was inevitable and definitely foreseeable and yet the dispute dragged on and on, with the orca caught in the middle, and the "pundits" losing sight of what was really at stake. It still makes me cry.

I’m not surprised to hear that this documentary won so many awards for it accomplished what every good documentary should … while telling the story in a balanced fashion, without sensationalism or bias, it evokes thought, discourse, and by its very honesty makes one question the true order of things.

Bravo.

Not Saving Luna
This film should have been called Not Saving Luna because everyone failed to save him. Springer from the Northern Community was reunited and Luna from the Southern Community could have been but so many people had political, self-centered goals.
Lifeforce is a Vancouver-based ecology organization who was part of a coalition of organizations that looked at strategies to get all on board for Luna and his family. That failed too.
The images of the First Nations and others treating Luna like a pet was irresponsible and contributed to his death. Chief MaQuinna agreed and told me that they would stop. Just as we rehabilitate lost or injured wildlife the human contact must be restricted. That’s tough law too but better than a life in captivity. Continuous human contact most likely kept him from venturing out of busy areas to be in communication distance of his family.
Luna didn’t need humans he needed his family. His interactions were to fulfill his behavioural and social needs. Luna was lost in a world of humans. It wasn’t “nature” or natural.
His freedom was so close as he was in the pen and ready to be moved to another pen where we knew his family was travelling – it was just a matter of a few more weeks.
What killed Luna? Yes in the end it was the absence of profit-seeking monitors and the tug propeller that chewed him up ... but since the beginning It was the misguided “friendship”. It was the human attitude instilled by aquariums and our society that “cute and cuddly” wildlife is theirs to dominate as they please. Pet them, swim with them, and ride them. What really killed Luna was speciesism. Those who treated him like their pet are all accomplices in the death of Luna.
I was mad before I saw the film – now I’m furious. LIfeforce pleaded to have an inquest so it would not happen again. Nothing has been done to determine how to prevent another such tragedy. I pity any other lone orca that will be lost in a bloody sea of red tape.
Peter Hamilton
Lifeforce
lifeforcesociety@hotmail.com

Simply exceptional with many lessons learned; however organizations such as Fisheries like many others today, have developed acute and obfuscating blind spots; one can only Imagine what might have evolved for us all if Luna would have been allowed to explore further the relationships between man and nature; kudos to the First Nations communities who tirelessly and spiritually supported Luna. Is this the cost of enlightenment in the new age?

This was a very touching, heartbreaking, and informative documentary about the relationship we humans share with animals. We always cosider animals as pests when they get too close to us. We try and get the attention we want from the animal and when we don't want the attention anymore, we try to ignore it. This was the case with Luna too. If we humans hadn't got too close with Luna and built that relationship with him, the wall wouldn't have been broken. It was sad to know that some people we actually willing to kill Luna beacuse he caused damage to their property. Well if you know that Luna can get agressive while trying to get friendly, well then don't take your boat out in the ocean. Humans need to value every life including those of animals.

Excellent documentary, please translate it into Japanese and air it in Japan. Perhaps the Japanese will think twice about eating whale meat.

I watched the documentary about Luna last night as my two daschunds lay on my legs... After seeing the documentary I looked in my dogs eyes and realized we humans have no clue about how much love is in animals and how much they are misunderstood... I was appalled by Mrs. Joyce as we as the somewhat of a man that was happy when he heard that Luna was killed... I have nothing but great things to say about the natives, the town people who supported Luna and Mike Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm... I plan on watching the documentary again on Tuesday but this time with my two teenagers as their is a very powerful message about friendhsip and love and hardship in this story of an amazing Killer Whale that God created called Luna... Thought about the documentary all day...

Thank you Mike Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm for this incredibly potent and touching documentary. I like so many others love Orcas. I have always been drawn by their mysticism and majesty.

I have read all the comments and considered both sides of the discussion. I appreciate the comments of Peter Hamilton from Lifeforce and those of all the others who supported the interaction with Luna. Who is right? It is arrogant of us to assume any of us is right without having lived our life as an Orca. How can we as humans possibly know the right outcome?

We could have taken steps to re-unite Luna with his family, but was there any guarantee this would work? Quite possibly, but not absolutely.

Would an aquarium have been the right answer? In my mind, no. But how can we know Luna would have suffered in this environment without being Luna?

Letting Luna live amongst us in his natural habitat and providing him with the companionship he so desparately desired might not have been the right course of action. Or would it?

How do we know for sure? We don't. The message we need to take away is - this was our opportunity to learn. Unfortunately, it was at the expense of Luna's life.

Our responsibility?

Learn about an incredible species up close and in a situation so unlike anything we have experienced before. Learn about our governmental roles and responsibilities and how we can make things better for a more positive outcome in the future. Learn about the communities and people who were so closely touched by their close encounter with nature.

We can learn to work together. To do the right thing - which is the greatest challenge for us. Because any one of the actions taken could have been the right or wrong thing to do in the end.

Thank you to all who brought this story to light. Thank you for the tears and the enlightenment. But thank you most of all for the chance to learn.

I will never forget this documentary and Luna.

PS This documentary should be sold with the profits going to an organization with representatives from all sides dedicated to learning about and helping these incredible creatures.

This documentary was outstanding and presented many different aspects of the interaction between wild animals and people and the consequences. If whales truly have a similar lifespan to human beings, this whale was a toddler looking for his family. From what I understand of the cetacian population, there are situations where lone whales will travel independantly, however, Luna was not an adult whale. Luna's reactions towards people were based on his need for social interaction of other whales. Why was this not recognized in his behaviour with so many professionals involved. With comments expressing the desire to eliminate him, I still wonder if his demise was truly accidental, was there no investigation? Rather than the decision to ignore him and keep people away, greater effort to guide him back to his pod or at least the migration path may have saved his life. This is the normal course of actions with other species of wild animals. Was it selfishness on the part of the human race that prevented efforts to reunite him with his pod. The documentary broke my heart and I hope it caused everyone to re-examine their actions. We took advantage of a very young animal's innocence and trust resulting in his demise. Shame on us.

i bawled my eyes out.
i am a 37 year old tough as nails carpenter, skateboarder, punk-rawker!
masterful story telling in a documentary format...
..so sad.

Suffice to say that I am so ashamed of our government-especially the DFO-who like so many have already said- profess to be experts on the ocean life they have a job to protect.

It wouldn't have even cost any money-as there were offers of money from the private sector to re-locate Luna. So they can't even use that lame excuse for not helping Luna get back to his family.

Once again the bureacratic elements of our government have proven how stupid and out of touch they are with what their citizens would really want to have happen-and what should have happened to save this whale.

Luna was a beautiful creature with an amzing spirit to express love beyond the bounds of "the norm". This fact was the only one that the experts had right-that he was different and special and did not fall into their pre-conceived categories and so we failed Luna-just like we have failed so many other beautiful creatues that inhabit this world with us and without whom we would not exist.
I for one intend to write the DFO and demand that things change and do whatever I can to ensure that this does not happen again. It is the very least I can do to honour the great but short life of this amazing mammal that captured our hearts in just 2 short hours.

May you rest in peace in another world-with your creator- where there no such heartless creatures that SUPPOSEDLY possess the higher intelligence .

The way I see it, Luna died as a result of the irresponsible actions of the First Nations people when they disrupted the government’s attempts to capture him. In my opinion, the actions of the First Nations people in this documentary were very selfish. Anyone with any foresight could see that Luna's situation before and after the capture attempt would ultimately end in tragedy if he were left in the bay to his own devices. The government's plan was the most sound and logical solution to a problem that was not going to solve itself. Capture Luna, try to re-introduce him to his pod, if that didn't work, re-locate him to a well-suited aquarium. For all those who are opposed to keeping animals captive in our zoo's and aquariums, I do empathize whole heartedly, but I implore you, take a good look at Luna's specific situation. Luna had thwarted every miss-guided attempt by people to coax him into leaving the bay under his own free will; he was constantly coming into direct contact with boats that frequented the bay (and where there are boats, there are propellers) and above all else, he obviously craved human interaction and attention. When you consider the alternative, even if Luna hadn’t re-united with his pod successfully, he would still be alive today in an aquarium, living the pampered life and getting all the human interaction he could ever want. The government also shares part of the blame for Luna’s death by not forcing the First Nations people to cease their disruptive actions during the capture attempt… however, the majority of the blame falls squarely on the First Nations people.

My words won’t find worshipers of hope since I have little in this humanity. Despair of love is translated as weaken minds by our great adult “rational” intents. We glorify the indifference because we like to play with the meaning of responsibility and we like to pretend owning a great sense of justice, this, only because we can't support no truth beside our own selfish vision and beliefs. The Evolution for the human being shouldn’t mean to look ahead in what we can accomplish, but to look back and go back and take on our shoulders some of the shame We left aside for others to carry. I cried and still cry hour after hour, because it is my only way to ask Luna and all wonders of this World to forgive our own stupidness.

Like others, I was hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel, saddly the stupidity lingered on, not for weeks, not for months but for years. I don't think I've ever watched such a program that left me feeling so helpless and ashamed . This little whale should be forever honoured for bringing life to this Bay. I feel sorry for those who had the ability to prevent this tragedy from happening.

Thank you to the videographers for bringing this amazing story to us, you did your best. I hope more people will remove themselves from the sidelines and speak up for those who cannot.

I have seen this film a few times now and each time I am wiping tears off my face. It's not just because I knew Luna it's because the film is well done.

A friend of mine recorded it but can't watch because knowing the ending it makes he feel to sad.

Thank you to everyone who has written in and commented on our documentary SAVING LUNA. Your thoughts are much appreciated. And congratulations to the filmmakers: Mike Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm.

Please tell your friends that a one-hour version of the film will air on CBC Newsworld on Tuesday April 7th at 10pm Eastern & 1am Eastern Times. You need to adjust for other time zones: 10pm in Toronto is the same as 7pm in Vancouver or 8pm in Calgary or 11pm in Halifax, and so on. Similarly, the 1amET telecast will be seen at 10pm in British Columbia.

The two-hour version will air very early on Friday April 10 (Good Friday) starting at 6amET. That's 7:30am in Newfoundland or 5am in Winnipeg.

We'll air the film again later in the summer.

Andrew Johnson
Commissioning Editor,
The Lens

To Munroe...

To blame the Natives for Luna's demise is incomprehensible... The DFO's had Luna in a net that was supposed to be prepared to capture Luna and then transfer him to an aquarium... Luna was inisde the net for 11 minutes but in their wisdom they forgot to close the gate... The Natives had nothing to do with Luna leaving the net area... Luna just out smarted the people who set the net up... What about the individual that was prepared to lend his boat to take Luna out to the ocean to join a pod? The DFO's turned that down too! Meybe Luna's whole purpose in his life was to teach us self centered human beings about love and friendship and togetherness no matter what race or culture we are... By the way I am not Native so I am not making a political statement... I just don't accept your comment about blaming the Native people... They were the ones that were smart enough to not have a propelller around Luna as he followed them...

Wonderful and unforgettable documentary because of its sadness and its capacity to show our ridicule as human beings...Shame on us. A very warm Thank You for the courage, the implication, the integrity of heart and love to Mike Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm toward Luna.
Now, I simply wish that not only the documentary will leave a footprint in our memory but in our actions to never see this happen again. My Dream.

Could someone let me know when this documentary will be translated in French ?
Thank you.

For those who were privileged to know Luna, the film is a great tribute to his life and the joy he brought to the people of Gold River and indeed all of Nootka Sound as he did visit the community of Tahsis when he felt so inclined. It may be a cliche but it is true to say that to know him was to love him and we miss him. Suzanne and Michael showed pure artistry in their work and they so deservedly have been recognised by their peers.
Though Luna may be gone, he will live forever in the hearts of those who loved him. Thank you Mike and Suzanne for your glorious tribute to our most famous resident.

MUNRO: you wrote everything I wanted to say, thank you.

I am so saddened and outraged after watching this documentary. The DFO (Department of Fisheries) tried to help after ignoring the problem for 3 years. Whether or not DFO would've sold Luna to an aquarium IF they decided to close the gate and reintroducing him to his pod failed...we will never know. I don't support captivity, but at least Luna would still be alive having the human interaction he loved so much. Where's the investigation and inquiry to this whole ego-filled, red tape mess? Why are the selfish First Nations not arrested for interfering with the government's capturing attempt? Who are they to have so much power, think one of their tribe leaders was reborn to this orca and leave Luna to his death? The best thing the natives could've done is to lead Luna back to the pod or leave him alone - The First Nation clearly contributed to the fate of Luna.

To Sophia...

So becasue the First Nation people chose to use their spiritual belief that one of their tribal leaders returned as an Orca Whale they are guilty of klling Luna. This is part of their spiritual beliefs when a tribal member passes on whether it is an eagle or whatever great animal it's spirit is with. Like I commented to Monroe. The DFO led Luna into an awating net to be taken to an aquarium. At that time no one thought about closing the net entrance and after 11 long minutes of Luna swimming around in the net area he left through the open area of the net And then and only then did Luna follow the Native people who were in a boat that had no propeller. Also the First Nation people attempted to have Luna follow them out to the ocean but the DFO's interferred and guided Luna back into the area where eventually he was killed. Blaming the First Natives or the DFO's is like blaming the poor captain of the tug boat that killed Luna and this is unfair. Fate took over it's course and Luna did what he was brought on this earth to do and that was to bring love and happiness and togetherness to people and not separate races or beliefs or culture like you two people are. The whole discussion is about the beuaty of Luna and what he brought into peoples lives who were fortuante enough to meet him. I am very sure there isn't one person in that surrounding area that feels horrible about what happened to Luna. With the execption of the one man who was happy to hear Luna was killed as he spoke at the end of the movie.
Instead of blaming the DFO's or the First Nation people or the poor fellow that accidently hit Luna. Let's remember Luna for what he was. An Orca who loved to be around people and made people around him love him and enjoy being with him.
I am looking forward to watching this incredible documentary once again tonight and I hope you enjoy watching it too...

I would like to thank Mike and Suzanne for an exceptional job in making this film in honour of Luna/Tsux'iit/L-98. I have realized that this world is far more precious than what we take it for. Also to note that we all are interconnected in some form or another even if we pretend it is not. Most people will understand this concept on way or another. Please understand the affects we as humans have on this earth, as we continue to believe "We are the dominate species". P.S. - Have you been affected by this film?

CBC asked me to spread the word about the showing of this film. I responded by saying:

I will not be recommending this "documentary" to anyone because it fails to depict the true story. I also believe that the film makers were part of the problem not the solution. They admitted that they were in violation of guidelines/regulations. They had no legal right to intervene as they did. Further, as they took it upon themselves to give Luna "friendship" /more human interaction they exposed him to situations like the tug contact that ended his life.

There was an opportunity for a film to look at why Luna was not saved and what could be changed. As it stands now if another lone orca is found history may repeat itself. After reading the discussion most people will probably treat one as a pet that needs their companionship thus contributing to another death or captivity. This wasn't a documentary. It is the film makers personal take on this tragedy. A bias perspective that contributed to Luna's death.

My comments have been not posted. People have criticized DFO, First Nations and others. I hope criticism against the film and filmakers will not be censored.

Peter Hamilton
Lifeforce

Response to Peter Hamilton's comments from Mike Parfit, co-director of Saving Luna:

The accusation that Suzanne and I contributed to Luna's death because of our interactions with him has been made by a small number of people in several places. It is a statement made from grief and anger. We understand where it is coming from. However, since overwhelming evidence shows it is entirely untrue, we need to respond.

None of the people who spent a significant amount of time on Nootka Sound with Luna has made this accusation. Peter Hamilton, like the few others who have made similar statements, did not spent much time there, particularly in the time after the Department of Fisheries and Oceans failed effort to capture Luna. In addition, in the 8,000 or so pages of Access to Information documentation Suzanne read, which covers the entire period of Luna's life in Nootka Sound, there is almost no mention of activity by Peter Hamilton or his organization.

The fundamental disagreement here is over whether contact between Luna and people could have been prevented. When we arrived in Nootka Sound the very strong prevailing wisdom among some scientists and most people who watched the saga from the outside was that the interaction was caused by people approaching Luna and that with enough education and enforcement it could be stopped. It is an embarrassment to us and tragic to Luna that it took a very long time for us and others to realize that this theory was not supported by the evidence.

When we started work on this story we were determined not to interact with Luna. So the only times we were close to Luna for the first full year we were in the Gold River area was when we were on boats operated by First Nations personnel or other people when the operators of those boats made the decision not to evade Luna's approach. We never requested that action. However, during that first year of our work on Nootka Sound we started to wonder if the prevailing wisdom was right.

So eventually we went back to our notes and compiled a record on a spreadsheet. It showed that in 700 hours of observation, Luna had contact with people for 280 hours, and during that time he actively initiated the contacts himself 81 percent of the time. Another 14 percent of the time contact was started by stewardship boats. Most of the times Luna initiated contact occurred with the work boats in the area, which were simply too slow to escape his attentions. Later we reviewed the abundant footage shot by stewards over two summers of official Luna stewardship programs. That footage makes it clear that the only way the stewards could get Luna away from interactions with fishermen and other boats was to intentionally interact with Luna themselves.

The evidence, provided by the stewardship footage, by our footage, by our notes, and by information from extensive interviews that we conducted with several of the stewards themselves later, plus the work of researchers who have studied solitary cetaceans in other parts of the world, leads overwhelmingly to a very clear conclusion: orcas, dolphins and beluga whales who find themselves apart from others of their species tend to be very determined to make regular contact with any humans who happen to be around, and programs that attempt to prevent that contact almost always fail to do so.

The reason they fail is not because lots of people ignore entreaties to stay away; in fact, most people follow those rules when they learn about them. The programs fail because the cetaceans themselves are adept at finding and interacting with people who simply cannot avoid them.

In the summer of 2005, after Luna had been interacting with humans for over four years, Suzanne and I had accumulated more direct observation time of Luna than any of the outside orca experts had, and it became clear to us that unless an entirely different idea about the human relationship to Luna was developed, the chaotic nature of the existing relationship would lead to tragedy either for people or for humans. That was when we proposed to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans that a program of intentional, controlled, scientifically-designed activity should be considered to solve the problem. The Department never even answered our letter. At that time we did not actively engage Luna ourselves. A First Nations boat was doing that on a regular basis, with a permit to do so, and for the most part we just continued to watch from a distance except when one of us was on the First Nations boat.

Then one day a group of about 20 young kayakers came through Luna's zone in Nootka Sound. Luna was nearby. Anyone who has seen the film knows how Luna approached kayakers. He was not violent with them, but he did push them around. We believed that an encounter with inexperienced kids could be dangerous, because one of the kids might panic and end up in the water, which is very cold. There are a couple of shots of this particular group of kids in the film, but there is nothing about what happened after I spotted them because I was too engaged in what I thought was a potential crisis to worry about a camera.

When the kids came by, the First Nations stewardship boat was not in the area. So I called a Coast Guard ship that was a few miles away on the radio and told the crew that a possibly dangerous situation was developing. The Coast Guard person I talked to did something I considered appalling. He told me just to let the situation develop. I will never forget that response. Never. I was angry and worried. So, for the first time, I deliberately interacted with Luna.

I went over to where he was, a half a kilometer or so from the kayaking kids, and played with him until the First Nations stewardship boat, which I had also been calling on the radio, arrived and took over. The kids made it to shore safely. I will always be proud of what I did that day. However, it was only much later in the year that Suzanne and I decided that we would become a regular presence in Luna's life. This was after the First Nations stewardship ended and there was no boat on the water dedicated to caring for Luna. The moment we started down that road is described in Saving Luna. That happened over four years after Luna first appeared in Nootka Sound and began to associate with people.

So the overwhelming evidence is this: Luna initiated most interactions, and the only way people could have prevented them would have been to remove all boats from Nootka Sound or remove Luna. Moving Luna forcibly was politically and in some ways physically impossible and many of the most reputable scientists believed the pod was unlikely to take him back. Therefore, active, consistent interaction with Luna in the wild to both prevent incidents and possibly to lead him somewhere closer to his pod to provide at least the opportunity for a reunion was one solution that could have been tried. However, though the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has stated that it was prepared to allow a private facility to imprison Luna in a tank for the rest of his life, it apparently was not willing to try something much less draconian in the wild.

So we did not have the opportunity to try what we had proposed. But we did provide a bit of consistent attention, mostly in an effort to keep Luna out of trouble. Because we did not have a permit to do this, it was certainly outside the formal rules that had been laid down near the start of Luna's time in Nootka Sound. Our actions did not, however, differ from the actual actions of both outside stewards and First Nations stewards over the years. This activity occurred during the final four months of Luna's life. This did not in any way increase the amount or change the quality of his connection with humans, except in one way: it substantially reduced interactions that involved risk to Luna or to people. People who work along Nootka Sound would support that statement.

We sympathize with Peter Hamilton's grief and anger at the loss of Luna. We, too, have wanted to lay blame on others for that loss. We have learned that no one human being is responsible for the tragedy; we all are. We will accept blame where it is due, but Mr. Hamilton's specific accusations are contrary to the evidence. Much more important than defending our own actions is defending the possible lessons Luna's life has for other occasions like this. The evidence strongly indicates that controlled, consistent interaction should be one of the management options considered whenever solitary cetaceans intentionally and over a long period interact with humans.

Suzanne has attended and made presentations at two formal international scientific workshops on the subject of solitary cetaceans. She has maintained contact with most of the experts on this subject. So we can state with certainty that this approach is now being considered - though not yet fully endorsed pending further research and discussion - by many of these experts. That gives us hope that if this happens again, Luna's life will have led to new understanding about these unusual but profound moments in the relationship between humans and the wild world. Our own conclusion is simple: These are sentient beings who can make choices of their own, and just as we must respect all wild animals' need to be separate from us in almost all cases, so we should also respect their very occasional efforts to seek solutions to their needs from us. Thank you.

Michael Parfit Co-director, Saving Luna

To Monroe and Sophia...

I apologize for my comments directed towards you both in regards to your comments about blaming the First Nation people. I was not at the area and I had never met Luna. I was only going by what I viewed in the documentary. So whether it was the DFO or the First Nation people or whoever there is no one single entity to blame. It just happened that one beautiful Orca named Luna touched many peoples lives and will never be forgotten. The bottom line for me is that Luna touched enough peoples lives that his legacy will live on and because we ALL didn't want to see this beautfiul Orca die the way he did it has caused all of us to be remorseful and sometimes grief or loss of something that is loved causes us to blame one another...

The bottomline is that just like you Sophia and Monroe as well as many other peolple Luna touched each and every one of hearts. Some people had the honor to meet Luna and some like me only got to know him through this incredible documentary.

Sincerely,

Dan

As a former Gold River resident (pre-luna) I was awestruck with the documentary. Not only with the beauty of Nootka Sound which I still miss but by the footage and story of Luna himself.

How tragic that the DFO could not have seen fit to accept the private sector offer to relocate Luna to his pod. I was also struck with the hypocrisy of sending people in to do exactly what they felt shouldn't be done (interact with the whale).

Very well done.

Big, stupid government + good intentions + poor understanding = one dead baby whale

It doesn't get any simpler than that. Of all the things that contributed to Luna's death, the single greatest factor was the deranged policy of the DFO to ignore Luna. Only a directive, threatened by useful idiots- prohibiting one to even *look* at an animal- can come from government bureaucracy. Perhaps the DFO may want to consult the Charter of Rights and Freedoms the next time they intend to implement such a sublimely ridiculous policy.

After this policy was put into place, Luna, starved for the attention and affection he craved, became increasingly perturbed and reacted the only way that an animal can react: by using force. He began to damage property solely out of desperation; he couldn't stand being ignored. Have you ever seen a toddler throw a tantrum in a public place before? Well, whale children are a whole lot bigger than human children are, and they can't verbalize their frustration like kids can. Too bad the government "experts" never figured that out.

Of course, this was not the only mistake that the DFO made. They are also guilty of deception and secrecy. From the documentary, it was absolutely clear that the DFO had no intention of reuniting Luna with his pod. The kind of secrecy exhibited by the government here was something to be expected out of the military, where information is only disseminated on a need-to-know basis. Naturally, everyone involved became suspicious, not the least of whom were the natives. Their reaction was logical, rational and justified- so much so that I believe a rebel inside the bureaucracy engaged in "sabotage", leaving the gate open so that Luna was able to escape.

In my view, the government felt it right to broker a sale of this spectacular being to one of the aquariums. It took ownership over Luna and attempted to sell him for a profit. No consultation was ever sought from the irrelevant people. A dictatorial decree was issued instead. Tell me I'm wrong. If I am, then why was the Chief Operating Officer of the Vancouver Aquarium in the doc?

In the end- and again, in my view- Luna committed suicide. I'm surprised to have read no such assertion from any of the others who have commented on this film. This highly intelligent mammal was never so much as scratched before he supposedly dove directly into the tug's propeller. And it happened immediately after the last, rare time that anyone had any extended personal contact with Luna (that being the filmmakers, themselves). All in contravention of those rules of insanity, of course. Feral cats, human babies and most isolated human adults, all die without human affection and touch, even amidst an abundant supply of food and water. The government, in all its wisdom, decided that with Luna, "This time it's different".

"Friendship would have been the worst thing you could have done to the animal."

No, Ms. Joyce. The worst thing that could have been done to Luna, was done. He is dead as a result.

If there is a hope of preventing a repeat of such a cruel turn of events, there must be minimal intervention by the government in the future. Require mandatory propeller safety covers. Don't allow people to feed the whale. Simple stuff, really. It's the whale that needs protection. We, The People, don't need the nanny state to tell us what to do so that we can be "protected". We can handle ourselves. And we can co-exist with the wildlife around us if simple, logical ground rules exist.

Luna should have been returned to her pod.
Human interaction like what was just scene only ever ends in tragedy.

thank you cbc for such a beauitful sharing of love and friendship.i believe the native people really can connect with animal spirit.i am so sad that luna had to die because his new world with his humans,was leathal to his survival.i think as i watched ,luna would have been safe if the native people would have been left alone.i feel pity for that poor old man,that couldn,t relish a touch of heaven,and only worry about a fiberglass possession.i will never forget Luna.!!

Excellent movie.
We could learn from Luna! As humans we have a lot to learn from the animals that share this planet, Instead of trying to kill we should try to understand and coexist.

What a beautiful but tragic film. This has moved me more than anything I've seen in years. What a testament to our collective stupidity! Please let me know if this film is available for purchase. I want to show this to every child I know.

What a great work, I am trying to write this through tears...I am a tough cookie, but this broke me. Very touching, it showed the connection and need for all to have love and friendship...and it doesn't matter which species, or what species it is between. Sad and touching, a good lesson to us all.
Those who were glad Luna passed on really have a lack of a heart...I feel sad for them.

That was one of the most heart warming documentary that I have ever seen. My heart longed to know Luna, for all he wanted was to share his life. I am glad to have known him through this documentary. Although, the decisons to be made were tough I do shame the government for creating the red tape and not taking the chance to just care for this treasure that we had.

I watched this documentary twice and both times with a box of kleenex at hand. This should be rewarded for the wonderful work the journalist did and how he shared Luna's life with the world. This story will remain in my heart forever, it is a much watch for all to learn from these mistakes. The best things in life are for free and Luna's love was free to all whom would share time. God Bless.

I too kept waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel, however the DOF would not allow for this. Clearly if the stewardship did not work in the first year, it was never going to work. I think that what they did to Luna was cruel and intollerable. The year that James Jesse became Luna's friend was a year that Luna did nto get into any trouble, and I wish that the DOF would have just let this contine. In regards to the man who said that the day that Luna died was the "best day of his life", what a horrible thing to say and way to feel. As an animal lover this well done documentary touched my heart! RIP Luna.

The documentary left me with tear full eyes and sadness about other creatures that we share the environment but do not respect them. Thanks to Suzanne, Mike and whoever was involved in this documentary. Thanks to people who embraced Luna with love and affection

I think watching this movie I was filled with sadness. I think we should have reunited the whale with its family right away, I think that they new that any mother human or mother whale would take there child back if they were lost. I think that people could not let go and we actually killed Him keeping him close. I beleive we had the right intentions but Luna was only doing what he new at the time to keep him alive, I also beleive that the government of course wanted Luna to just go away and die or be killed and they should have put more effort into Luna and maybe Luna's movie would have been a happy movie. I think all people involved except Mike and his wife were doing Luna nothing then just keeping him alive and there is a difference. I would hate to see another whale get lost On Vancouver Island BC even if it is an american whale this is our country including anything that swims in our ocean or waters we need to take care of it not push it away.
Thank you

I too was very touched by this documentary and was actually unsure of who to side with and who I thought was right and wrong. All I needed to see was all the unnatural and unusual behaviour of this whale and his affection for human companionship to decide. I can respect the Mowachaht/Muchalaht's F.N.'s views on the whole matter but this does not mean that I agree with what they did. By this I mean by stopping the relocation and possible reunification with his pod. I believe that they should have at least tried to reunite Luna with his pod and although I do not believe one bit in whales in captivity, this obviously may have been the one case that this should have been at least looked at. I have watched this documentary many times and I also seen the movie and was deeply touched by both. and, yes , the old fart who said "That he was the happiest man in Gold River" when Luna died, he is a heartlless, evil so and so. Rest in peace Luna, you touched so many people.

I once again subjected myself to the anguish that is this documentary, this time with my 13 year old daughter. She was so overwhelmed with grief that she leaped into my arms and cried the most heart-wrenching tears I have ever experienced. She promptly then asked if she could have a whale.

Jamie James -- I can only imagine how hard all of this has been on you. I admire your strength and courage. In answer to your question, yes, both my daughter have been affected by this film. Both of us tend to prefer animals over people as animals are honest and sincere. We reflected on the life of Luna and the actions of people who altered his destiny, whether for the good or the bad, and we ponder what we can do to make the world a better place for animals. We will find our role, whatever it is meant to be. For now, the animals in our lives will benefit from the love, caring and compassion we give (right now, it is all given to our wonderful little miniature schnauser).

Very well said Chris Weisdorf... i watched the 1 hour documentary again last night and I am more angry that I previously was about how the decisions made caused that demise of Luna... To me it would be like being around my family and friends playing, having fun, recieving attention and love then someone comes along and places me in solitaire confinement for the rest of my life. Well you may as well put a bullet in my head if you did that to me or I would at least try myself... Why do we as humans makes such stupid decisions about animals lives that usually end up killing them? When will we ever learn? I guess never as we can't even get along with each other as human beings and are killing each other...

RIP Luna my friend!

dan

The enormity of the task that Mike, Suzanne, Jamie and others took on for Luna's well being can never be measured, it's just too huge. The unscripted scene where Jamie lay head to head with Luna and the kayak spoke volumes not only to their incredible bond, to our hearts and to the fact that a few had gotten it right. It must have been so frustrating to have efforts of doing right by Luna quashed time and time again.
I think for Luna and all efforts put forth be it good or bad, The Luna Law needs to be enacted, dealing with the state we have let the oceans become and how we use and abuse them. As a start, with the attention Luna gave to the props, perhaps it would be fitting to pass a law that no boat, big or small, shall enter the waters without a propeller guard in place. It's not only Luna that has been hurt by them. Could it be possible that Luna was chosen by her pod to be an ambassador for marine kind? He WAS a rock star, he did matter and will forever matter.
ps:To Mr. Bell, you were in Luna's backyard and still managed to be on film.

Does anyone know a link to watch this excellent documenatry online???

MODERATOR'S ANSWER: CBC does not have the necessary rights in order to offer this film online. We are in the process of negotiating streaming rights for future films. As well, it's our policy not to link to sources where this film would be available illegally.

Three days after seeing this documentary, I still find that my heart is heavy as I reflect on Luna's story. Reading the comments posted on this page since Sunday night has been both comforting and thought-provoking, and I felt compelled to share a few more thoughts.

As I continue to think about the film and its message(s), I find myself comparing Luna's story, on some level, to that of a battered or abused child (Luna was just an innocent playful 'whale-child" himself), who was let down by "the system". We hear sad stories in the news all too often, of abused children who suffer terribly, and even die, in the "care" of incompetent and/or neglectful "caregivers", while the various regulatory authorities have too often seemed to only stand by, wringing their hands, and following their cookie-cutter "rule books" (to protect themselves from liability perhaps?). The child suffers in silence, unable to articulate his needs, his sadness or his confusion (as surely happened to Luna). The child suffers loneliness and isolation (as did Luna, first when he lost his family/pod, and later when he was subjected to the inconsistencies of "tough love" after already having found friends among us humans). The abused child craves affection and interaction (as did Luna), but never understands why the affection he receives one day is withheld or withdrawn the next. So must have Luna have been confused by the mixed signals which would be considered emotional abuse were a human subjected to it. Ultimately, the very system that is supposed to protect the abused child is the one that so often lets him down. Just as did the system fail Luna.

Sweet Luna. Sigh. There I go again.

The "experts" say that it's inappropriate to attribute or project our human feelings and emotions onto "insentient" creatures who cannot possibly "feel" or convey things in the way we imagine they can. Of course, no one (including the experts) knows whether this is true or not. This question mark is at the very heart of the film's message, I think, but I for one cannot help thinking that Luna must have "felt" so much confusion disappointment in us, while at the same time he continued to unwaveringly offer his own form of unconditional love to us, right to the last. He gave and gave, and we wasted it.

The irony does not escape me that, with the exception of the one smug and callous lout in the film who was glad that Luna was no longer a "nuisance" in the waterway, virtually every person, culture, and/or governing body in the film truly thought that they, and ONLY they, had the correct answer for "Saving Luna". Each was determined to do what they thought was right, but the resulting muddle of conflicting approaches and the extended delay in even attempting to return Luna to his pod in the very first place only led to his demise. A number of people have commented that the film's title is somewhat of a misnomer, for Luna was NOT saved, however, I’m convinced that this is precisely why the film makers chose such a title.

As for the nasty materialistic guy with the sailboat, he should take a long hard look at himself (if he can stand it!), and remember that HE is the one encroaching upon the territory of all aquatic creatures when he takes his silly boat out onto the water. These creatures were here long before we showed up; they manage to share their water with us … he should remember his place, and have some respect!

I have enjoyed reading everyone's thoughtful and varied viewpoints -- I’m especially encouraged to see that the discussion has not devolved into bickering, finger-pointing, and divisively trying to lay blame on one group or another. I’m sure the film makers can take satisfaction and some of the credit for this, for they presented all facets of Luna's story, without imposing any bias or judgement of their own, and it seems we all heard their message, loud and clear.

I’m feeling quite wrung-out now (sorry, this was a long one!) and will leave it here. Revisiting this site has filled me with tears once again, but they're good tears, and are a tribute to the film makers. Luna's story must have become very personal to them in the 3 years they chose to stay and capture it ... it surely unfolded before them with even more intensity than we ourselves experienced, watching it on screen … disbelief, anger, frustration, even horror, like a train-wreck that can't be stopped, playing out in slow motion. Thanks to them, Luna's story has now been told and will be remembered long after he's gone. Luna did not die in vain.

My hat goes off to Mike, Suzanne, the rest of the film and editing crew, and also to the CBC for committing so much air-time to this powerful documentary so that as many people as possible will get a chance to see it.

The documentary is heart wrenching to watch. What a precious gift we were given as a society to get to know Luna. There are numerous questions running through my mind however. Did the DFO complete a full investigation? What report was ever issued? Was the tugboat captain really upset? Was it an accident? Why were charges never laid? I have heard he put the tug in reverse when Luna was behind, is that true? Why don't we have DFO employees that care and love wildlife? Why don't we demand it? Thank you to Mike, Suzanne and all the people who loved Luna during his brief life. I hope he did teach us something about ourselves and those we share this planet with.

To Mike Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm
Directors, SAVING LUNA
If I were asked today who is my hero my first response would be Mike and Suzanne and Luna. After reading your comment Mike "Luna's story - from OrcaNet" (which is a website that I feel everyone should view) I once again cried as I read the heartache in your words. Mike and Suzanne you gave us the greatest gift by telling Luna's story through your eyes and I shall forever thank you for that... Although Luna has passed on he will always be in our hearts and memories... I only wish I had the honor to have met this incredibly beautiful little whale called Luna (Tsu'xiit)...

Dan

Tonight I went through another "Dark Night Of The Soul" and actually asked God to come take me home soon to be with Him! Why? Because I am without friends, without touch, without love. When I watched the story about Luna it broke my heart. It is my story! I know what it is like to be separated from my family. To have friends who won't be there for you or disappear the next day. To be starving for companionship. To want touch so much that you endanger yourself to get it. To want love more than anything that you will do anything to have it. The efforts of mankind to help Luna were ludicrous. Everyone had their own agenda, but for them to actually have put themselves in Luna's position--I wonder if anyone really stopped and thought about that? Here you have poor Luna in a tug-of-war that goes on for days, how confusing and distressing for him is that, and how disgusting! Think of your own child caught in-between a custody battle. How heart-wrenching to watch what is done to the poor child while everyone thinks they know what's best for the child. Or you have a delinquent teenager who just needs "tough-love", when all they really need is honest-to-goodness, genuine, absolutely unconditional, real, true-blue, Agape love put into action. To treat Luna like that was absolutely unbelievable and monstrous! I am amazed and blown-away by all the strategies Luna came up with to be with people for companionship! How truly blind everyone was to not get what was the real message that he was trying to tell us. We are a throw-away society aren't we? We abort babies up to 21 weeks now, we just want to ship off the homeless somewhere where we don't have to look at them, we label all those who have mental illness as crazy, we don't want anything to do with anyone who has addictions because they will never change, we divorce the wife or husband of our youth because they get fat, sick or old, we won't even consider a woman as a potential spouse because they can't have children, we reject a man because he has herpes, even if it's just one sore he gets maybe once a year, etc., etc., the list goes on. Why not just kill us all and be done with it, like the man who wanted to kill Luna. All I can say for that person is remember, you reap what you sow! It wasn't the tug-boat that killed Luna, it was greed, selfishness, exploitation, etc. It was us, all of us, including me! Where was I when all of this was going on? God has given me the gift to write, to be a voice. I'll tell you where I was, with an empty cup, filling up with tears and where I'm still at today! How sad is that. I have no one in my life to fill up my cup with friendship, touch, love, so I'm tapped out after I do a little something or give what bit I can. Even after watching the documentary about Luna and writing this at 2:00am, it will drain me and I must totally rely on God to replenish me. We are a world that is so hungry for friends, touch, love that we have gone nuts with trying to fill up the emptiness in our hearts and lives with stuff that is just junk and that never, ever satisfies. Where is love, is it hiding, has it ever existed, is it extinct? We killed it just like we killed Luna! Now I cry not just for myself and others who have never had the joy of experiencing friends, touch, love, but Luna too, and that is truly the whole reason why Luna came to us all. To tell us, look what we are doing to each other, how we are hurting each other. I wish I had been there for you Luna. Oh how I wish I had known what you had been going through. I am grieving for your loss because you were such a beautiful gift to planet Earth and all its inhabitants. A saying went around not that long ago. What would Jesus do? I tell you what He would have done! He would have walked on water out to Luna, jumped on his back and guided him out to sea to a family pod that would have wanted him. A family pod that would have been waiting to give Luna all the friends, touch, love that he would have ever wanted!

dear angel...

your words were very touching to me... we will never meet but I want you to know you have a friend here in me... be strong like Luna was!

Dan

Dear Angel -

Reaching out to others in your lowest moments takes a lot of courage! By continuing to do this, I think you'll find that you're never truly alone. I think Luna inherently knew this to be so, for he never stopped reaching out to us either. I hope you can take strength from, and find some peace in, Luna's example.

After watching Saving Luna, a sadness descended on me that won’t lift. I experienced this overpowering sadness before in my life on the loss of my dog, a little animal I had by my side for 17 years. He weighed no more than 12 lbs but taught me so much about love and life than all the books and people I encountered. How I wish now I could have touched Luna. How I wish I could have looked at him and how I wish I could have been there for him. How ironic life can be, for the little baby whale that was ignored and even abused by those that mattered at the most crucial time in his life, is now loved around the world and will never ever be forgotten.

To the husband and wife team Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm who made this film possible, thank you a thousand times for bringing Luna into our lives. Your film on the little boy whale has touched so many, many lives.

May your God bless you Jamie for the rest of your life for the love, affection and care you extended to Luna and when you think you feel a little wet nose touch your face, it’s not your imagination, it’s your dear little Luna trying to tell you “I’m here now for you”.

To the nice people who were kind to Luna whenever possible, thank you.

The San Juan Journal reported in 2009 yet another juvenile male orcha failed to return with his pod last year. He may be still alive. IN MEMORY OF LUNA, please keep a watchout for him and if he is found, please provide him with safe transportation back to his whale family, where he belongs, IN MEMORY OF LUNA.

PS: Luna’s mom is believed to have died last year.

Thank you.

Hazel
Coquitlam BC

A few answers from Suzanne Chisholm, producer and co-director of SAVING LUNA:

Many thanks to everyone who has commented here. We sincerely appreciate all the feedback and the kind words. I’ll answer a few of your questions here; and more as soon as I can.

THE REUNION ATTEMPT AND THE FIRST NATIONS: Unfortunately, anyone who believes that Luna’s freedom would have been absolutely guaranteed by the reunion attempt is missing key information. There was profound disagreement among scientists as to whether a reunion with Luna’s family would have worked. Some scientists were convinced that his pod would have welcomed Luna back with open fins; others were sure that they would have rejected him. Those who were very pessimistic included all the Department of Fisheries and Oceans experts.

So we will never know for certain what the outcome of a reunion attempt would have been. But there is one certainty: if Luna had been trucked to the waters near Victoria and a reunion didn’t work almost immediately, DFO stated very clearly in its internal documents that Luna was destined for an aquarium. The DFO paper trail is very clear about that; in fact, the documents show that DFO had specific conversations with aquaria about Luna before and during the capture attempt. From all the documents I read (more than 8000 pages of DFO correspondence) it is clear to us that many officials within DFO, including some of the top brass, fully expected Luna would eventually have to be sent to a tank.

So it is, in fact, possible that the First Nations’ efforts prevented Luna from being taken into captivity. However, speculation on either side of that question is only that -- speculation. There is simply too much uncertainty about this piece of Luna’s history to come to any real conclusion.

THE TITLE? We chose SAVING LUNA in 2005, before Luna was killed. After his death, we grappled a lot over whether we should keep the title. At the end of the day, we decided to keep it, because the human side of the story is all about conflicting viewpoints on how Luna could be saved. We are sorry if people feel misled by it; that was not our intention.

PROFITS FOR WHALES? There have been suggestions that some of the proceeds from this film be donated to whale charities. We agree. We have no idea if or when this film will ever be profitable; the record of similar films shows that it may not even pay back the loans we have taken to make it. However, in our optimism that crazy things do happen and it might actually make money, we have set up a non-profit organization to provide funding for other solitary, sociable cetaceans such as Luna; and for the endangered Southern Resident Community of orcas – the family into which Luna was born on September 19, 1999. However, because of the unfortunate reality of the film business, we are not suggesting that people donate to our organization at this time. We are listing some already-active groups in the frequently asked questions on our website (www.savingluna.com) who could use donations right away.

TRANSLATED INTO JAPANESE? Yes, the film is translated into Japanese and has been recently acquired by NHK, Japan’s national television station. I had the good fortune to be invited to the Tokyo International Film Festival in October, and after watching SAVING LUNA, a tearful woman in the audience said, “I had no idea whales were so intelligent. What can we do differently?” We are hoping SAVING LUNA will have that effect on many people in Japan and other countries.

A DVD? The DVD will be available in Canada later this year. It will include the 92-minute theatrical version, plus quite a few surprises. You can sign up on our website to be informed when it is available: www.savingluna.com.

THANKS: We are overwhelmed by your responses. We are glad that Luna’s story can continue to inspire people, evoke emotions, provoke discussions, and encourage people to consider the nature of friendship across the species. We are honoured to be able to bring Luna’s story to you, but please don’t forget all the other players who made this film possible – including CBC Newsworld and our very fine commissioning editor, Andrew Johnson, who believed in this story from the moment he first saw footage of Luna; all the fabulous people in the film; the countless individuals and organizations who helped; and above all, Luna, an incredible creature who bravely crossed the line between the species and reached out to humans for that mysterious bond that we call friendship.

Dear Mr. Hamilton...

We are all allowed our own opionions and beliefs and this is why this is a discussion format... However your comment "This wasn't a documentary. It is the film makers personal take on this tragedy. A bias perspective that contributed to Luna's death" and to blame Mike Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm Directors, SAVING LUNA just doesn't sit well with me! So what was you or your organizations involvement or plan to save Luna? HMMNNN!

It is bad enough that Mr. Parfit has had to deal with the loss of Luna's friendship (yes friendship) and blamed himself "for not being there when Luna needed me" but for you to crap all over him makes me sick to think you would do that to a person that dedicated three years of his life to save Luna. you and Mr. Bell aren;t very far from each other as far as what you thought about Luna...

Mike and Suzanne you did the right thing and NEVER question yourselves for your very unselfish act... You not only others to experience the incredible beauty of that little whale and the smiles and happiness he brought to peoples lives... But you also allowed a discussion to occur on this site so people can voice there concerns to how animals are misunderstood and mistreated... So thank you dearly the two of you!

And Mr. P. Hamilton what makes you think you are God to decide who or what caused Luna's death... Luna is with his mother now and NOT having to deal with human beings who think they KNOW so much about animals or they are the so-called EXPERTS or people like you and Mr. Bell...

Dan

a truly amazing story. It touched me deeply and is a lesson I hope no one forgets... we need to respect the earth and her creatures... Friendship can transcend species.

All Luna ever wanted is what we all want, to belong.
Although this story did not have the happy ending I had hoped for, I take solace in the knowledge Luna brought joy and happiness where-ever he went.

The Indians understood the essence of what was really going on with Luna... and to run this documentary on Good Friday morning someone at CBC also got the message!
If I were to win the lottery, every school in the country would have a copy of this documentary. I'm sure that most children get the message too.

Too many of us adults have lost touch with our souls. That is the travesty : man's best intentions, so out of touch with what is really important; thus: their actions, so convoluted in a stupidity that is so glaringly revealed here.

It's Good Friday morning here in Toronto. I had seen CBC Newsworld promoting the documentary "Saving Luna" a number of times in the past but, already suspecting it would have a sad ending I didn't watch it-until this morning.

Once again I have to ask myself: What the HELL is wrong with our Scientists and Government Officials? How come they constantly get it wrong and mismanage everything from animals like Luna, to the damned Seal Slaughter, that I am campaigning against, to the environment? I'd like to ask a fisheries official; why is it a crime to befriend a life form other than our own?

What really infuriates me more than anything is the fact that so called "sports" fishermen in Nootka Sound threaten to kill Luna repeatedly. Why? Because a lonely, whale seeks the friendship of man instead of his own kind and in this quest may accidently damage a boat?

I've always considered it a privilege to be able to befriend forms of life other than my own! At the family cottage near Minden, Haliburton, Ontario, I used to feed the fish right off shore! The younger ones would be hovering in a semi-circle, and I would throw out a mixture of small crumbs of dried bread and dead insects for them to feed on. The ducks and geese would come swimming by for pieces of bread. There used to be a pair of Otters, that someone shot dead for whatever selfish, demented, unknown reasons. The beavers were caught in a trap and drowned! Somebody didn't like the fact the beaver dam kept flooding a foot or two of their "English lawn"! The ducks and geese were killed because they left their feces on rafts, and docks! The fish are gone! The turtles are gone! The frogs are gone!

"Saving Luna" is a beautiful documentary! Thank you so much Michael and Suzanne for your courageous work! It was a privilege to see you also Jamie befriending Luna as well as all other first nations people and the residents of Gold River. You all had the courage so lacking by the various government officials, etc etc.

This documentary ended sadly! A wonderful life form only wanting friendship and love was lost! I hope Luna's death will not go in vain. All of us, not only Canadians, but all of us as Human life forms really need to take a long, hard look at what we are doing to our fellow life forms on this planet, and its environment, and figure out how we can make it right. The Bible says God gave man "Dominion" over the Earth. Religious or not, we need to think seriously about the fact that we need to respect other forms of life too.

First, I must, in full disclosure and honesty, tell you all, that I have met and visited with Mike and Suzanne on several occasions. They are wonderful people and wonderful storytellers. I think that “Saving Luna” is an outstanding piece of work.

If you come away from this documentary with anger and wish to point fingers and find a single group or person to blame for Luna’s death, you have missed the point. I have seen the film three times. Each time I watch it I get a deeper insight into what Mike and Suzanne are trying to say through this story. This story is as much about the current state of the human condition as it is about Luna the whale. While we are in the “Space Age” technology, we seem to be stuck in the “Stone Age” socially. We now wield weapons of mass destruction when we fail to communicate with our fellow human beings. When we encounter another species that seeks social contact, we are at a loss as to how to react.

This very special occasion was something very new to our species. We have very little history and knowledge in how to deal with it. We, the human race, were given an opportunity to explore a new area. When we encounter something new it requires that we do so with logic, wisdom, science, innovation, compassion, and care. Please note that it takes all of these things and more in this situation. One without the other is incomplete. We are going to make mistakes when we go into unknown territory. We must have the courage to explore this new territory. If we all don’t sit down and discuss how to react when we get the next opportunity, Luna will have died in vain. If we don’t learn from this, we will have not moved forward in our quest as human beings. There were many people involved with Luna during the time he was with us. Each person involved has something to contribute to the discussion and share with the others. Mike and Suzanne have done a very good job of showing the many different points of view. Choosing to do nothing is a choice. It takes no courage and no one will “make a mistake”.

There are people who believe in good faith that they have all the answers and act as critics of those who tried to do something. I would suggest that they don’t know as much as they think they do and that their attitude is not constructive. If you believe that you have something constructive to say, then, step forward with the courage to put your knowledge to the test of open and respectful discussion. A personal attack or Ad hominem attack is not helpful.

“An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin: "argument to the man", "argument against the man") consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characteristic or belief of the source making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim.”

One person suggested that the profits from the film be donated to helping this situation. As a person involved in making another documentary for PBS in the U.S., let me tell you that Mike and Suzanne will be lucky to break even covering their expenses. If they are very lucky, they might make minimum wage for their time. Remember that they started this project expecting to spend three weeks and have spent four or five years of their lives making this documentary. If you liked what they did, then spread the word and when the DVD is released, buy as many copies as you can afford and send one to all of your friends.

Angel: You are a special soul, much like Luna. I don't know what happened to you in your young life, and I felt the depth of your sadness and need for someone to reach out and be a true friend to you. I dont know why some people, who may seem so beligerant and mean, win a true following of loyal friends, while some others as kind and sweet as they are, do not. Perhaps, Like Luna, those special souls are meant for heavenly rewards only,. I only know this Angel, and I don\t even know you. You are very talented and you should try your very best to continue to write, and also know that creative people are usually much more sensitive than the norm. You will see, in the future, that there are people who truly care about you too. Please don't wish away your life, you are here, like Luna, for a true purpose!

shared reflections
black and white lessons
unconditionally loved
through water we are
as the water we be
entangled together
in nets of awareness
Orcas and Oak trees
we best understand
or kill what we don't
including ourselves
in a shared destiny
to have with the whales
we call Luna or Miracle
such luminous beings
light up with deep power
our dark box of notions
and challenges man
to rise from the miserable
and take our command
with the world's greatest creatures
in the love of existence
together we play

Even days after viewing this tragic but beautiful documentary, my daughter and I just can’t stop thinking about Luna. This special whale has so moved our souls. It is difficult to explain how one can be both so saddened and inspired at the same time. Luna's obvious and infectious personality makes it impossible to deny that animals are indeed individuals and encompass the full spectrum of emotions. We are so quick to devalue them, to see them as something different from ourselves. Luna suffered because we did not understand what he clearly saw – that perhaps our desire to keep the wall up between ourselves and his world really just demonstrates that we try to deny that we are part of the same world. Perhaps we are the ones who are lost and far from home! In the end we failed to recognize our teacher and ignored his lesson. I would like to commend the directors for giving us a second chance to pay attention. I certainly will never forget Luna. I see his soul in the domestic animals I share my life with and can no longer deny what was once on my plate as well. I hope we can all learn to see the world differently. I really do. We have so much to learn and perhaps Luna’s death will not be in vain if we can open our hearts in his memory. Thank you for this amazing journey of a film.

I suppose the last open question that lingers in my heart is the one that has been brought up in previous posts – was there an investigation into Luna’s death? Was his body ever found and observed? If foul play were to be confirmed would there be any consequences for those who were found to be guilty of it? In light of the heartless individuals who wanted to do him harm and the “political annoyance’ that he was, the viewer cannot help but be left wondering about the details surrounding his death. I suppose it would be easier to believe that his death was accidental but he deserves that the truth be known.

Goodbye Luna, you won’t be forgotten, may you be reunited now with whomever your heart longed for . . .

Thank you to the creators of this film. Being from across the country in Atlantic Canada, I saw bits and pieces of this story on the local news, but never knew all of the other aspects of this incredible story. I watched this film twice and cried both times.
Luna's story touch something deep within my heart. Maybe that was Luna's purpose to stir something deep within all of our souls.
To the people who interacted with Luna, I hope you realize how blessed you were.
For everybody who was involved with Luna's life,I believe you all did the best you could. Do not blame yourselves or others. In a perfect world we could all communicate, live side by side, regardless of race, color, religion, political views and yes even species. If I sound idealistic, yes I am. I choose to believe that there is good in everybody and I have hope for this beautiful planet we live on. I believe everything happens for a reason, even though we may not understand why. Luna came through that wall for a reason. His life had a purpose,if only to help expand our consciousness,maybe? Luna's life was not in vain. That little baby orca knows it was loved and that is what matters. RIP Luna you were a special being.

Reading people's comments made me cry again. I too was deeply touched by the film and very discouraged by the lack of understanding that most human beings still have for the interconnectedness of all beings. May you rest in peace, Luna!

Please let me know if it is possible to buy a copy of the film. I know many people who I would like to give a copy to.

I just turned on the tv when I woke up in the last Good Friday and happened to catch the movie. My husband and I watch in silence and when it was done. I have tears in my eyes and I know my husband had tears too.

Beautiful, beautiful movie!! Yes, there is still a lot we humans don't know. We assume too much that we are superior beings. What do we really know?

I would like to thank Jaime, Mike and Suzanne for being friends with Luna. Strangely, I am so grateful for the time you spent with Luna with such deep affection.

To Dan, Heather, Janice and any others who took the time to read my comment and think of me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I did not want to take the attention away from Luna and put it on myself. I really appreciate your thoughts and concerns anyway, and your kind words have meant more to me than you could ever imagine! God's profoundest blessings upon you all...Love Angel

Amazing story of life and love - and a testament to the utter stupidity of bureaucrats.

If they had allowed the 'Human Pod' to keep Luna company he would still be alive. There would certainly be a endless line of people wanting to take a turn in the pod.

And who knows, maybe such a pod could lead Luna to his real pod and see if he could re-connect with them.

And maybe if he was allowed to get older (by protecting him in a human pod) he might have left to seek his own pod all on his own.

Thank you for sharing this story. I am soooo sad about this....as I was watching I called my dad and said we need to go to Nootka Sound. I think I am going to be crying for days.

I respect the work that everyone does for these amazing animals. I always wanted to be appart of something bigger in life. And you people are making the world a better place. How can you look at these animals and think of anything bad. Animals either orcas, your dog or cat, or my little beta fish on the counter in my kitchen, warm my heart and if only it could be that way for everyone.

My little rant is important for me because I am filled with so much emotion right now. I am glad i watched......but cant imagine how others were affected by this AMAZING LUNA.

Thank you, Erin Worrod

on saving luna ... what a touching and sad tale of an affectionate animal ...
- everybody was right ... and everybody was wrong
- everybody wanted to win ... and everybody lost

Thank you, CBC and producers, for this profoundly moving documentary. It could do a lot to shift attitudes in the right direction if every elementary school library and public library across the country had a copy. Could the producers seek a corporate sponsor to make this happen? What about Mountain Equipment Co-op?

This was one of the best documentaries i have ever seen. Emotionally touching, not a single eye was dry in my living room

This was a beautiful and very touching story about a young whale who only wanted to be loved. It teaches us a lot about the importance of one's actions. Luna was a wonderful whale and his story made me cry.

That movie was awsome and the ending was sooooooooooo surprising I didn't expect it at all I almost started to cry. .'_'. I watched it at school.

My wife and I sat there like many of you kind people and felt sad, ashamed and angry about the state of the world. Then I went online and read through these posts and felt better and not so alone. We said after watching how we hate people but that's not true, just some of them.