The Whale Stewardship Project;
I write to express my deepest condolences and great sadness in responce to Poco’s death. He was a young, unique being who touched the many lives around him and around the world. For those of us who followed the young beluga’s life remotely, it is sadning to see that his journey ended so soon. Animals & Mammals have the ability to touch us and teach us in ways no human can. When they look at you, the ancients look too.
During the summer of 2003, I was a monitor who tended to the young Southern Resident orca, Luna / L98 / Tsux’iit. For reasons we do not know, for the time being he has chosen to live a solitary life in Nootka Sound, just as Poco chose to live a solitary and more exploratory life.
These beings teach us that magic is real, and deliver messages of love and respect. It is up to us to find the meaning of their lives and make it positive to help their future and ours. We do not always have to understand their lives to realize that individuals like Poco leave a legacy behind we will not soon forget.
You will be missed.
With love
Chantelle Tucker
Learn more about Poco and other solitary Belugas – whale stewardship
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BELUGA WHALE FOUND DEAD IN S. PORTLAND
Experts from the University of New England say a beluga whale found dead this morning in South Portland is the same whale that was spotted all along the new england coast this summer.
The whale, nicknamed “Poco”, reportedly beached last night. His body is being taken to an aquarium in Boston where an examination will be done.
Poco became a popular attraction this summer in maine. He was spotted everywhere from Falmouth harbor to the Saco river.
He was a juvenile Beluga–just a couple of years old. Beluga whales are normally found in artic waters. Marine biologists were hoping Poco would find his way back home this winter.
Experts say Poco exhibited behavior that was unusual for Beluga whales. Lucy Keith of the University of New England told NEWS CENTER, “Instead of staying with other beluga whales, which normally stay in groups, he took off on his own to explore the big wide world.”
He loved being around people. This fall he reportedly followed a family in a sailboat all the way from Maine to Provincetown, Massachusetts
Update: Nov 16 2004
SCIENTISTS: POCO DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES
A team of more than a dozen scientists examined the carcass of the Beluga whale that swam around Maine harbors this summer.
The whale, nicknamed “Poco”, beached Sunday night. His body was taken to Woods Hole, Mass., for the necropsy.
Scientists say they found evidence of lung infection, which probably caused Poco’s death.
Poco became a popular attraction this summer in Maine. He was spotted everywhere from Falmouth harbor to the Saco River.
Scientists believe the whale was between three and five years old. Beluga whales are normally found in artic waters, and swim in groups called pods.
Poco was classified as a “solitary social” whale.
