Baby orca at center of debate

A baby killer whale that beached itself last month should not be sent to a U.S. aquatic park, environmentalists contend, arguing that such a move could set a precedent that would encourage trafficking in marine animals.

A tug of war between a Mexican marine park, environmental groups and the government has emerged over Pasqualita, an 8-foot female orca being nursed back to health after she was found along the Pacific Coast.

Aquarium officials want to transfer Pasqualita to Sea World in San Diego after she recovers.

But the environmental group Greenpeace said Friday that she should be returned to the sea. “This would set a new precedent that would show how easy it is to capture a marine animal and commercialize it,” said Alejandro Olivera, ocean campaigns chief for Greenpeace in Mexico.

Mexican law prohibits the export of wildlife, but Olivera said other Latin countries have been caught trapping, pretending to rehabilitate and then sending animals to U.S. marine parks.

Mexico’s Environment Department said that for now the orca would remain at a marine park in Nuevo Vallarta.