Last week, KNKX environment reporter Bellamy Pailthorp brought us the story of a baby orca named Springer, who was rescued near Vashon Island after turning up lost and alone. Her rescuers figured out to which pod she belonged by listening to her calls.
The rescue of Springer unfolded 20 years ago this month. And that effort – the community coming together to return a young killer whale to her family – remains the only successful example of orca rehabilitation on record. Why is that?
Bellamy Pailthorp joins All Things Considered host Ed Ronco to discuss this story.