Double Bay Sanctuary
I am proud to say that my first ever conservation project found place at the Double Bay Sanctuary!
From April 30th 2026 till June 14th 2026, I was able to help create an orca sanctuary to bring back home a Northern Resident orca named Corky.
Corky is a Northern Resident orca from the A5 pod. She was captured from the waters of the Pacific Northwest at the age of 4 to be displayed at SeaWorld in San Diego, California. This happened in 1969. Corky spend over half a century in captivity and lost touch of her family and her environment back home.
Michael Reppy, a sailor who spend over 30 years of conservation work, bought an old sport fishing lodge back in 2018. He envisioned making a retirement place for Corky, so she can spend the last years of her life around her family in the same waters she was born in.
This project has been going on ever since and the goal is still the same: bring Corky home!
My work within the sanctuary was mostly based around photography. I went there as an intern for my study and I documented different projects. I photographed the building of a new roof, an ocean clean-up with a professional diving team, the amazing volunteers and staff of the sanctuary and of course the different flora and fauna around the island.
Interested in all my projects? Take a look down below!
The team
The Double Bay Sanctuary team has welcomed me into their home as family.
I am not sure if I have ever seen more motivated, dedicated and hospitable people all together, working on the same goal in my life!
Nicolette Audy (manager) and Gonzalo Moya Diez (mechanic) formed the staff of my time there. They were the paid workers and most responsible for the sanctuary.
The Double Bay Sanctuary is also known for inviting volunteers from all around the world to help around at the sanctuary. This year I had the pleasure to work with my fellow volunteers: Allison Greer, Allison, Jacobus Kroeskamp, Margot Ferrier and Nicholas Henriet. They made this adventure whole and gave me the time of my life!
I am forever grateful for my time there and all the friends I have made at the sanctuary. Until next time!
