Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
SeaWorld’s orca plan doesn’t go far enough: PETA
By Josh Kosman April 15, 2016 | 11:14pm
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals isn’t satisfied with SeaWorld’s plan to phase out its signature killer whale shows.
The animal rights group this week sent hundreds of DVDs of the 2013 “Blackfish” documentary to all members of Congress to spur legislation banning the breeding, importation and sale of orcas.
Last month, the aquatic park operator stopped breeding orcas in captivity — meaning it would no longer have any in a few decades. The Humane Society endorsed the decision.
The move was also cheered by investors. Shares of SeaWorld have risen 21 percent since the March announcement, closing at $20.75 on Friday.
After the park banned breeding, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) decided not to pursue legislation she was ready to propose banning orca breeding and perhaps other measures, sources said.
“Sen. Feinstein has long been working to improve conditions for all marine mammals, including pushing USDA to update its marine mammal welfare standards,” her office said.
PETA continues to push for the release of the park’s whales into seaside sanctuaries.
It believes SeaWorld had no choice but to end breeding after the “Blackfish” backlash and that the Humane Society should have done more to free the whales.
“These two organizations [SeaWorld and the Humane Society] have been longtime adversaries, but we’re excited now to see the company transforming its operations for the better on animal welfare,” Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Society, said in response to the criticism.
On Friday, SeaWorld, which is adding rides and other attractions to replace its whale shows, named two directors with theme-park experience to its board.
http://nypost.com/2016/04/15/seaworlds-orca-plan-doesnt-go-far-enough-peta/
Posted : April 16, 2016 4:05 pm
Topic starter
Released dolphin confirmed to have given birth in wild, set new precedent
2016-04-18 17:07
A team of South Korean researchers said Monday an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin released into the wild is confirmed to have successfully given birth, heralding the unprecedented birth.
The marine mammal, called Sampal and believed to be aged between 13 and 15, is presumed to have delivered and raised a calf after being released into waters off the South Korean island of Jeju in 2013.
"We have spotted Sampal and her baby swimming in a parent-child posture many times during the recent three weeks," said Jang Soo-jin, a member of the team comprised of researchers from Jeju and Ehwa Womans universities. "Strict criteria applied show that they are parent and child."
It was on March 28 that the research team found the two mammals for the first time. The 1-meter-long calf, believed to be 4-6 months old, was spotted swimming closely with the mother more than four times in a day and a program designed to distinguish individuals indicated it is the same individual.
Jang said the baby could be less than 6 months old as stripes on the calf's body, formed from it being crunched up in the womb, have disappeared and were not observed in November.
She also worried about a relatively higher rate of infant mortality in first children of dolphins. Fortunately, however, the baby is expected to get enough help from others born around the same time and other adult dolphins that have experience in bearing and bringing up babies, the researcher said.
Sampal was among the five captive dolphins that had been rehabilitated in sea-pens off Jeju and released over the last three years. The five -- Sampal, Chunsam, a female, Jedol, a male, Taesan, a male, and Boksoon, a female -- were illegally captured and sold to the country's entertainment parks.
The release of the dolphins came after the Supreme Court gave a ruling in March 2013 that ordered Jeju's Pacific Land theme park to give up four illegally caught dolphins. The four dolphins and Jedol from the Seoul Grand Zoo were given chances to return to their underwater world after being rehabilitated in sea-pens and regaining their health before the release.
Jedol and other released dolphins have been witnessed attempting to mate, according to the team.
Jang Yi-kwon, a professor at Ehwa Womans University, "We have come to confirm a dolphin has successfully bred after reorienting itself toward the wild and monitoring it," calling the breeding a culmination of the project of releasing captive dolphins and an unprecedented exemplary case.
Cho Hee-kyung, leader of the Korean Animal Welfare Association that spearheaded the project, was jubilant. "We are so much happy Sampal gave birth for the first time," Cho said, adding the birth will hopefully raise more attention to the cause of returning dolphins at aquariums to the wild.
Sampal came alone out of a damaged net in a pen off Seogwipo on the island on June 22, 2013, when being trained how to live in the wild. But six days after her departure from the pen, the public found solace after learning the dolphin had been spotted joining a group of dolphins in the wild.
Posted : April 18, 2016 11:49 am
Topic starter
Tilikum, the notorious killer whale and star of the documentary film Blackfish, is having some bad days.
Tilikum’s health has been deteriorating due to an incurable bacterial infection in his lungs. The orca’s illness was announced by SeaWorld in early March.
Poor Tilikum.
He deserved better as do all the Orcas and other cetaceans in captivity that will remain so for decades yet to come. Tilikum fathered (by artificial insemination)
54% of SeaWorld's captive Orcas.
Posted : April 20, 2016 11:07 am
Topic starter
Only 10 of 21 of Tilikum's offspring survive.
Here's a great rescue story:
VIDEO: TRAPPED ORCAS FREED BY RUSSIAN RESCUE WORKERS
20 APRIL, 2016
Watch as one of four orcas trapped by ice blocks in the Sea of Okhotsk, in Russia’s Far East, are helped by Russian rescue workers. After eight hours of grueling rescue, three of the four orcas were freed and swam out to open sea. Later that night, the fourth dolphin was able to swim free as well.
A clip of the rescue can be viewed below. Listen to the orca’s vocalizations at about 1:40, as the large male communicates with his rescuers.
Our deepest gratitude to the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk community for helping save these beautiful mammals.
See link for video:
https://dolphinproject.net/blog/post/video-trapped-orcas-freed-by-russian-rescue-workers/
Posted : April 20, 2016 8:17 pm
Topic starter
On Deepwater Horizon Anniversary, Dolphins Face Decades of Recovery
New research shows that a wide range of marine life is suffering long-term harm six years after the biggest oil spill in U.S. history.
Posted : April 23, 2016 3:56 pm
Topic starter
EXCLUSIVE: SHOCKING FOOTAGE OF ORCA PANICKING IN MEDICAL POOL
26 APRIL, 2016
https://dolphinproject.net/blog/post/exclusive-shocking-footage-of-orca-panicking-in-medical-pool/
Posted : April 26, 2016 1:40 pm
Topic starter
New Footage Shows SeaWorld Orca Slamming Against Gate Over And Over
Scroll down on link to article and video.
Very distressing and sad.
These animals don't belong in captivity.
https://www.thedodo.com/killer-whale-panic-loro-parque-1756349384.html
Posted : April 27, 2016 12:01 am
Topic starter
Please sign and share!
PETION: CLOSE ALL DOLPHIN PETTING POOLS
Target: Members of Congress
https://dolphinproject.net/take-action/petition-close-all-dolphin-petting-pools/
Posted : April 29, 2016 12:13 am
Topic starter
Jean-Michel Cousteau: SeaWorld should set captive orcas free
The oceanographic explorer and son of Jacques Cousteau has indirectly challenged embattled marine park’s claims that no orca has survived release
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/27/seaworld-free-captive-orcas-jean-michel-cousteau
Posted : April 29, 2016 12:48 am
Topic starter
Heartbreaking Truth Behind Video
Posted : April 29, 2016 5:17 pm
Topic starter
Cousteau to SeaWorld: Captive Orcas ‘Need to Be Released’
Posted : May 1, 2016 2:47 pm
Topic starter
A Look Into How Life for Captive Orcas Differs From Their Wild Counterparts
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/a-look-into-how-life-for-captive-orcas-differs-from-wild/
Posted : May 1, 2016 10:18 pm
Topic starter
SEAWORLD CEO’S HALO IS ALREADY SLIPPING
02 MAY, 2016
https://dolphinproject.net/blog/post/seaworld-ceos-halo-is-already-slipping/
Posted : May 2, 2016 2:10 pm
Topic starter
Shocking Photo Records the Moment Long-Suffering Orca, Lolita, Lost Her Freedom
Posted : May 4, 2016 8:11 pm
Topic starter
In the Battle at SeaWorld, the Whales Have Won
May 4, 2016
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/seaworld-tilikum-orcas.html
A33~ It's not over until they are all.free from abject confinement.
The bottom line with SeaWorld is that these magnificent, intelligent, sentient beings are only a commodity, unless we demand their freedom and don't buy a damned ticket.
Pacelle sold them out in teaming up with SeaWorld.
Don't make the same mistake.
The Orcas and other cetaceans will remain in cruel captivity until they die.
SeaWorld has only committed to not breeding Orcas in the U.S..
They plan on expanding the SWD and dolphin interactive entertainment.
Don't be fooled.
Don't buy a damned ticket!
Posted : May 5, 2016 12:55 am
Topic starter
SEAWORLD CLAIMS SEA SANCTUARIES DON'T WORK. WE'RE GOING TO PROVE THEM WRONG, AGAIN.
May 05, 2016 | DAVID PHILLIPS, DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL MARINE MAMMAL PROJECT
Posted : May 6, 2016 9:48 am
Topic starter
Let's Throw Shamu a Retirement Party
Naomi A. Rose
Posted : May 6, 2016 9:58 am
Topic starter
AN OASIS FOR ORCAS: PLANS FOR WORLD'S FIRST RETIREMENT FACILITY UNVEILED
People Are Building A Sanctuary Where SeaWorld’s Orcas Could Retire
https://www.thedodo.com/sea-sanctuary-orcas-planned-1781684061.html
(On this link, you'll have to scroll down to get to the article)
Posted : May 6, 2016 9:25 pm
Topic starter
See this link for a comprehensive list of captive cetaceans.
Posted : May 9, 2016 12:11 pm
Topic starter
WATCH EPISODES OF BLOOD DOLPHIN$
Blood Dolphin$ is a 2010 three-part miniseries from Animal Planet, continuing Ric’s journey advocating for dolphins across the world.
Activist Ric O’Barry first shocked the world by exposing Japan’s annual slaughter of thousands of dolphins when the Academy-Award winning documentary, The Cove was released. Now, O’Barry returns to Japan with his filmmaker son, Lincoln O’Barry, appalled to discover that even with the worldwide attention The Cove garnered, the brutal dolphin hunting continues.
First, the O’Barry’s return to Taiji, Japan — site of The Cove — and then head to the Solomon Islands, where they try to put a stop to a lucrative and inhumane captive dolphin trade.
“The most important thing I can do…that my son can do…is show the world through projects like Blood Dolphin$ just how threatened dolphins are so we can all do something about it,” Ric O’Barry
Watch them now for free on Video on Demand!
https://dolphinproject.net/media/watch-episodes-of-blood-dolphin/
Ep 1 Return To Taiji
Ric and Lincoln O’Barry use the power of international outrage to attempt to stop dolphin hunting; the hunt is delayed, but a phone call brings the team rushing back.
Ep 2 The Solomon’s Mission
Ric and Lincoln go on a mission to the Solomon Islands to protect dolphins.
Ep 3 Saving The Solomons
Ric and Lincoln’s mission to the Solomon Islands continues; they must confirm the true intentions of a former dolphin dealer; they make inroads with the indigenous people still involved in dolphin hunting.
Posted : May 9, 2016 12:21 pm
Topic starter
Puget Sound could become a retirement home for performing orcas
BY MATT MARKOVICH
FRIDAY, MAY 6TH 2016
http://komonews.com/news/local/puget-sound-could-become-a-retirement-home-for-performing-orcas
Posted : May 9, 2016 4:17 pm
Topic starter
VIDEO: MAJESTIC POD OF ORCAS, WILD AND FREE
20 MARCH, 2016 VIDEO
https://dolphinproject.net/blog/post/video-majestic-pod-of-orcas-wild-and-free/
Posted : May 11, 2016 5:47 pm
Topic starter
SEAWORLD REPORTS STAGGERING NET LOSS IN 1Q 2016 RESULTS
05 MAY, 2016
May 5, 2016 – SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (SEAS) released its financial results for the first quarter of 2016, reporting a staggering net loss of $84 million compared to a net loss of $43.6 million in the first quarter of 2015. The adjusted net loss increased from $43.5 million in the first quarter of 2015 to $46.9 million. The company reported a 2.6% increase in attendance, but acknowledged this was due primarily to the impact of an earlier Easter holiday, with one third of this increase related to a separate gate for Aquatica San Antonio. Attendance gains were largely offset by a decrease in attendance at SeaWorld Orlando, with fewer season passes sold as a result of less discounting, and fewer international guests.
Read more:
https://dolphinproject.net/blog/post/seaworld-reports-staggering-net-loss-in-1q-2016-results/
(All because of a little documentary named Blackfish that brought awareness to millions.)
Posted : May 12, 2016 1:06 pm
Topic starter
A Seaside Sanctuary Will Soon House Retired Performance Orcas
By: Natalia Lima
May 13, 2016
In November 2015, the CEO of children’s toy company Munchkin, Steve Dunn, made SeaWorld an offer: Retire your orcas to a seaside sanctuary and we’ll foot the bill and pay for that sanctuary to be built. SeaWorld turned down the deal but Dunn stood by his commitment, and now that sanctuary is actually becoming a reality.
“Munchkin has long favored a natural coastal ocean sanctuary as an alternative solution to maintaining orcas in captivity, so we are eager to support The Whale Sanctuary Project‘s efforts on behalf of cetaceans retired from the entertainment industry,” said Dunn of the partnership with the U.S.-based nonprofit that will bring the project to fruition. “We are dedicated not only to these majestic mammals, but also to helping parents and children understand what they can do to help orcas and others live the rest of their lives happily and safely.”
The sanctuary will house whales and dolphins retired from aquariums and theme parks in a sectioned off area of the ocean. The animals would be able to live in as natural an environment as possible without being completely free since many have lived in captivity their whole lives and wouldn’t survive in the wild. An engineered structure that resembles nets will surround the space, giving animals a large area to move around “that dwarves even the largest tank in existence,” explains The Whale Sanctuary Project’s president Dr. Lori Marino, PhD.
“The deepest tank [at SeaWorld] is 35 feet deep,” she adds. “When you consider the size of orcas, it’s not much space. We want the animals to be able to dive deeper and know they can submerge and stay underwater if they want to and that’s something they’re being deprived of.”
Another priority for the animals is to be able to stay away from humans if they choose to. While the sanctuary will be open to the public, there will be no interactions with the animals except for medical purposes and absolutely no animal performances.
People will still be able to see the animals from a distance, however, and learn about them in an outreach facility that will use top of the line technology to entertain and educate through virtual reality and other immersion opportunities.
The sanctuary will also treat and rehabilitate injured marine animals with the possibility of releasing them back into the wild once recovered.
Unlike most retirees, the future residents of the sanctuary will not be moving south, though. The project is currently in the process of researching locations in the Maine and Nova Scotia areas on the East Coast and the Washington area on the West Coast since the animals need cold water to survive. Once a shortlist of possible locations has been identified, the team of scientists, clinicians, engineers, attorneys, business experts and marine animal advocates will move on to the next phase of actually visiting them in 2017. Then, once all permits and regulations have been acquired, work can actually start on building the sanctuary.
Marino estimates if everything goes as planned, the sanctuary will be completed in three to five years, but a project of this magnitude does not come cheap. The overall cost of it could be up to $20 million, says Marino, $1 million of which Munchkin has pledged to contribute. Once the sanctuary is up and running, it will rely on endowments, donations and public support to cover its costs.
Despite the now concrete plans for the building of the sanctuary, Marino says SeaWorld has still not reached out to talk about relocating its orcas but the door is open whenever they decide to do it.
“When they want to sit down and talk, we’re here.”
Posted : May 14, 2016 6:55 pm
Topic starter
Dart, The 12-Year Old Dolphin, Has Just Died At SeaWorld. The Latest In A String Of Deaths
May 14, 2016 0 3210
The average life span of a Pacific white-sided dolphin is anywhere between 36 and 40 years. But Dart, the male Pacific white-sided dolphin, was only 12 years old when he passed away this weekend at the SeaWorld San Antonio park, The Dodo reports.
SeaWorld announced the male dolphin’s death on Saturday, adding that “the exact cause of death has not yet been determined”. Apparently, he had been under constant veterinary attention for the past month for health-related issues.
In their official announcement, SeaWorld described Dart:
“Like many dolphins, Dart was high-energy, extremely playful, enjoyed participating in shows and interacting with his trainers.”
At the moment, it is still unclear what the cause of his death was. However, according to The Dodo, dolphins are often more susceptible to infections as they come into contact with people. When The Dodo recently spoke to PETA marine mammal veterinarian, Dr. Heather Rally, she told them:
“They’re also being exposed to a much larger amount of bacteria [than wild dolphins are] because they’re being exposed to people who haven’t washed their hands.”
Posted : May 15, 2016 7:31 am
