| "But ask the animals and they will teach you." Job 12:7 | | | | together. |
| That Biblical directive took on new meaning for me | | | | Some killer whales aren't very good mothers. One of |
| when I went on a kayaking trip in Johnstone Strait off | | | | the Johnstone Strait residents has lost four of her |
| the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Some two | | | | seven children. She often swims way ahead of her |
| hundred orca whales spend the summer there. The | | | | babies and leaves them unprotected. She rarely |
| guides who led our expedition warned us at the outset | | | | touches them and hasn't taught them how to find food. |
| we weren't on a Disneyland tour. They couldn't | | | | This incompetent mother was separated from her |
| promise we would see any killer whales at all. But we | | | | own female parent when she was very young. She |
| did! Orcas swam around, beside and right underneath | | | | had no siblings. Scientists believe orcas learn how to |
| our kayaks. The first day of our paddle two huge | | | | be good caregivers by watching their mothers and |
| adults breached not a hundred meters from our boat. | | | | sisters look after their offspring. They need positive |
| They landed in the water on their sides with a mighty | | | | role models who show them how to nurture babies. I |
| splash. One morning my husband and I awoke to the | | | | realized again what a big responsibility God gives us |
| sound of water spouting out of the blow hole of a | | | | when we receive the gift of children. Our parenting |
| whale. We scrambled out of our tent on time to see | | | | behaviors have a lasting impact not only on our own |
| two giant orcas glide right by the shore of the small | | | | sons and daughters but can effect future generations |
| island where we were camped. | | | | of our families as well. |
| We were fortunate to be able to tap into the | | | | Scientists have no idea where killer whales go in |
| expertise of our trip guides as well as that of the | | | | winter. They are trying to invent devices which will |
| scientific observers at a whale research station. I | | | | track the orcas when they leave Johnstone Strait |
| learned many new things about the legendary "rulers | | | | each autumn. All attempts so far have been |
| of the sea". | | | | unsuccessful. Our base camp was right across from |
| Each one is absolutely unique. The people who devote | | | | Robson's Bight where hundreds of whales spend time |
| their summers to tracking the orcas' progress, can | | | | each summer rubbing their bodies on the rocks close |
| identify every resident killer whale who comes to | | | | to the shore. Why do they carry out this strange ritual? |
| Johnstone Strait by the shape of its fin, the markings | | | | No one knows for sure. One researcher said to us, |
| on its body, and even its scars. They give each whale | | | | "There are still lots of animal mysteries which we just |
| a name and know its life history. Researchers mourn if | | | | haven't figured out." I suspect humans will never solve |
| a whale doesn't return in spring because that means it | | | | all the puzzles of this intricate and amazing world God |
| has died. It reminded me of how God recognizes and | | | | has created. |
| cherishes each and every unique human being. | | | | Although the number of killer whales who come to |
| Family connections are vital to orcas. Mothers, | | | | Johnstone Strait each summer is remaining constant, |
| daughters, sisters, brothers and children live and travel | | | | there are other places on the Canadian coastline |
| together in pods. Each group has developed its own | | | | where resident populations are diminishing. There is |
| special repertoire of sounds for communicating with | | | | speculation this is due to increased traffic in the form |
| one another. One day we listened in on a hydrophone | | | | of cruise ships and whale watching boats, forestry |
| as a pod passed by us. We could clearly hear them | | | | herbicides flowing into waterways, waste from salmon |
| talking. These sounds help keep the whales together. | | | | farms mixing in with ocean currents and fishing |
| Recognizing their unique family vocalizations makes it | | | | trawlers removing entire levels of the food chain. |
| possible for orcas to find each other in the dark ocean | | | | People of faith who take seriously God's command |
| waters. It made me think of how vital it is for members | | | | that we should be wise stewards of creation, need to |
| of human families to maintain open lines of | | | | think carefully about how our actions impact other life |
| communication with one another if they want to stay | | | | forms. |