A Whale of the Wild

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of pregnancy loss and animal cruelty and death.

Vega is a young orca whale living in the Salish Sea. At 44 seasons old, she’s in an adolescent phase of her development, not yet old enough for parenthood but no longer a child like her little brother. She has “a notch on her fin” where she was struck by a boat’s propeller (16). This injury illustrates humans’ often damaging impact on natural habitats and helps to explain Vega’s initial self-doubt, particularly when the appearance of a ship freezes her with apprehension and derails her first attempt at wayfinding. One of Vega’s most important strengths is her attention to detail, a skill her mother praises as an indicator that she is ready to take on more responsibilities: “‘My clever Vega!’ Mother says, ‘Always noticing the little things. It takes a sharp eye to find a flat fish’” (8). Another of Vega’s prominent traits is her resolve. The same determination that spurs her to go off on her own and find a resting place for Capella later helps her endure the difficult struggle for survival. Although Vega wrestles with self-doubt, her resolve, courage, and observational skills empower her to become a leader.