ASTORIA, Ore. -- After a rough start, a fake killer whale has finally taken to the water off Astoria, in an effort to scare off sea lions.
The Port of Astoria organized the release of the very large, fiberglass orca into the water Thursday. The whale, named "Island," is actually a registered boat and has a driver.
A smaller, 7-foot-long orca will also be towed behind the big momma, according to port officials.
"Island" was originally built in the 1980s and is now outfitted with a Suzuki eight-horsepower outboard motor and speakers. The whale can spout water and will play recordings of orcas out hunting while in the water to get the sea lions out of the area.
Both orcas belong to Terry Buzzard, who usually enters it in parades to promote his whale watching business. During a Thursday morning press conference, he said he had no idea what would happen when the killer whales hit the water.
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Thursday afternoon the whale hit a snag when its engine flooded, but a replacement motor was eventually found. Just before 5 p.m., the fake orcas finally got moving.
The sea lions have become a big nuisance for Astoria. The Port of Astoria says they are damaging docks and competing for salmon with commercial fisherman. Hundreds of them have taken over the docks.
Officials have tried numerous things to get them to leave, even putting beach balls nearby.
There's no telling if the fake orcas will work or not, as wildlife experts say sea lions are smart, and might catch on.
