After being separated from his mother, Splash (1985–2008) while still young, Luna spent five years in Nootka Sound, an ocean inlet of western Vancouver Island, where he had extensive human contact and became recognized internationally.

After years of debate, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) authorized an effort in June 2004 to rescue L98 Luna and return him to his pod.

[2] In July 2001, Luna — with an estimated length of 12 feet (3.7 m) — reappeared alone in Muchalat Inlet of Nootka Sound, and by the fall, appeared to be in good health, feeding on sardines.

[2] By September 2002, Luna was determined to follow boats, such as the Uchuck III, which traveled Nootka Sound regularly to deliver supplies to fishing camps and loggers.

[1] Observers of Luna's friendly behavior concluded that it was not possible to keep him away from people, conceding that human interaction was warranted for his social benefit until he could be reunited with his pod.

[1] It is illegal in Canada for observers to disturb a wild marine mammal, and for Southern Resident orcas, a 400 metres (440 yd) minimum distance is required.

[1] The first step was to train Luna to follow the designated DFO boat, hopefully out of Nootka Sound and into the path of passing Southern Resident orcas.

[1] Hopes for the boat-follow rose notably in mid-May 2004 when L98 Luna's family members were sighted off the west side of Vancouver Island, but still some 100 kilometres (62 miles) away from Nootka Sound.

[11] The pod never came closer, and by late May, researchers confirmed that the rest of the Southern Resident Community of orcas had in fact taken the route along the east coast of Vancouver Island, eliminating any chance of a natural reunion.

[13] The Gold River Chamber of Commerce published an essay about Luna and a 24-minute documentary video produced and narrated by Suzanne and Mike Chisholm in 2006.

[1] In 2007, CTV produced a made-for-television film, Luna: Spirit of the Whale, starring Adam Beach, Jason Priestley, Tantoo Cardinal, and Graham Greene.

The commercial documentary, Saving Luna,[15] produced by Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit, was introduced at a Seattle film festival in 2008,[16] and played in theaters and television across Canada in 2009.

[20] The loss of Luna reduced the number of mature males of Southern Resident orcas to just two individuals who have fathered more than half the calves born since 1990.