Rest in peace, Luna

aww, this is too sad. Poor Luna, the killer whale died today in an accident.

Yahoo! news reports

GOLD RIVER (CP) - It appears Luna the orphaned killer whale has died after being struck by a tugboat on the west coast of Vancouver IslandThe federal fisheries department says the boat was idling to escape rough weather in Nootka Sound when it collided with the whale.

A department official says it was an accident and the boat's skipper is distressed over the incident.

Luna arrived in the sound in 2001 after becoming separated from his pod.

Although the whale was friendly, he became a nuisance to marine traffic in the area and an attempt was made in 2004 to reunite him with his pod in Juan de Fuca Strait.

But that effort was abandoned after he was lured away by First Nations canoes.

The First Nations thought Luna was the re-incarnated soul of their chief, and believed nature should be allowed to take it’s course. Sheesh! Unfortunately, Luna has now joined the chief.