'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold

A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.

A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.

Ehattesaht First Nation Chief Simon John said the young killer whale swam to an area of the lagoon where members of the neighbouring Nuchatlaht First Nation tossed about 18 kilograms of seal meat into the water on Thursday evening.

They witnessed her grabbing the chunks in its mouth and diving below the surface. A video of the encounter was posted on Facebook.

"It was joy, really," said John about the orca's consumption of the seal meat. "It was what she needed. It's the first time we've confirmed it. It brings us a little more comfort, for sure."

Veterinarians have been closely monitoring the two-year-old whale for any signs of failing health and to see if she is feeding in the lagoon, 450 kilometres northwest of Victoria.

She's been trapped alone for four weeks since her mother was beached at low tide and died.

An initial attempt last Friday to corral the 700-kilogram orca so rescuers could take her to the open ocean failed when the calf refused to leave the deep parts of the lagoon.