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Case 4:15-Cv-02172-JSW Document 406-1 Filed 09/13/19 Page 125 of 564 REDACTED VERSION Case 4:15-cv-02172-JSW Document 406-1 Filed 09/13/19 Page 125 of 564 REDACTED VERSION UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA MARC ANDERSON, KELLY NELSON, and Case No.: 3:15-cv-02172-JSW-JCS JULIETTE MORIZUR, Plaintiffs, v. SEAWORLD PARKS AND ENTERTAINMENT, INC., Defendant. EXPERT REPORT OF DR. INGRID N. VISSER Dated: February 8, 2019 CONTAINS INFORMATION DESIGNATED CONFIDENTIAL BY SEAWORLD Case 4:15-cv-02172-JSW Document 406-1 Filed 09/13/19 Page 126 of 564 REDACTED VERSION Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 6 II. PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND & QUALIFICATIONS ................................ 7 III. INFORMATION CONSIDERED ......................................................................... 12 IV. BACKGROUND ON ORCA .................................................................................. 13 1) Terms and Definitions................................................................................ 16 2) Intelligence .................................................................................................. 33 3) Lifespans ...................................................................................................... 36 4) Social behavior ............................................................................................ 41 5) Foraging ....................................................................................................... 47 6) Research on wild orca................................................................................. 58 V. BACKGROUND ON KILLER WHALE CAPTIVITY ........................................ 61 1) Capture of wild killer whales .................................................................... 62 2) Killer whales born in captivity .................................................................. 70 3) An overview of the consequences of captivity.......................................... 72 VI. IMPACT OF CAPTIVITY AT SEAWORLD ON THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF SEAWORLD’S ORCA ................................................................. 76 1) Overview of Animal Welfare Standards .................................................. 78 2) Compromised welfare relating to SeaWorld’s housing facilities, exhibition tanks, and other habitats ........................................................ 90 1. Overview ........................................................................................... 90 2. Dimensions ....................................................................................... 92 3. Impact on the captive orcas’ health and wellbeing.................... 100 4. Issues relating to captive orca teeth ........................................... 112 ii Case 4:15-cv-02172-JSW Document 406-1 Filed 09/13/19 Page 127 of 564 REDACTED VERSION 5. Abandoned plans to improve orca tanks and make them larger ............................................................................................... 200 3) Compromised welfare relating to SeaWorld’s personnel ..................... 201 4) Compromised welfare relating to SeaWorld’s killer whale related practices and policies................................................................................ 204 1. Feeding, nutrition, and foraging.................................................. 204 2. Breeding.......................................................................................... 214 3. Noise................................................................................................ 218 4. Pathogens and medications .......................................................... 232 5. Inadequate enrichment and stimulation .................................... 237 6. Medical isolation ............................................................................ 239 7. Interference with natural behaviors ........................................... 240 8. Entrusting animals to sub-standard facilities such as Loro Parque ............................................................................................. 249 9. Captivity Related Injuries ............................................................ 254 10. Tank Hazards................................................................................. 264 11. Aggression ...................................................................................... 273 12. Forced Separations ........................................................................ 286 13. Dissemination of other misinformation ...................................... 292 VII. OPINION ON SEAWORLD’S CAPTIVE ORCA’S DORSAL FINS ............... 297 1) Background................................................................................................ 297 1. Dorsal Fin Function ...................................................................... 297 2. Dorsal fin irregularities ................................................................ 308 2) Dorsal fin irregularities among SeaWorld orca .................................... 310 3) Dorsal fin irregularities in the wild........................................................ 313 iii Case 4:15-cv-02172-JSW Document 406-1 Filed 09/13/19 Page 128 of 564 REDACTED VERSION 4) Evidence shows that captivity at SeaWorld contributes to higher incidence and severity of dorsal fin irregularities among killer whales......................................................................................................... 315 1. Orca in captivity spend significantly more time “logging” as compared to orca in the wild, contributing to dorsal fin collapse............................................................................................ 315 2. Reduced exercise contributes to dorsal fin collapse .................. 320 3. SeaWorld orca’s dorsal fin deformities are exacerbated by the tricks they perform during shows ......................................... 322 5) Evidence shows that dorsal fins deformities can be detrimental to the health of killer whales................................................................... 323 VIII. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 327 iv Case 4:15-cv-02172-JSW Document 406-1 Filed 09/13/19 Page 129 of 564 REDACTED VERSION List of Schedules Annexure A: Curriculum Vitae Schedule 1 - Materials Considered Schedule 2 - Captive Orca Dental Damage Schedule 3 - Captive Orca Stress Web Schedule 4 (a) - Rakes and Aggressions Schedule 4 (b) - Environmental Injuries Schedule 5 - Analysis of SeaWorld’s Training Records Schedule 6 (a) - Tilikum Weight And Food Chart Schedule 6(b) - Tilikum Tail Abrasions Schedule 7(a) - Illustrative Photographs of Captive Orca Health Issues Schedule 7(b) - Medications Schedule 7(c) - Pathogens and Other Issues Schedule 8 - Ecosystems Schedule 9 - Documents Discussing Dorsal Fin Collapse Schedule 10 - Illustrations of SeaWorld’s Orcas’ Collapsed Dorsal Fins Schedule 11 - Deficiencies in Records Produced by SeaWorld Schedule 12 - Published Research Regarding Food Base Schedule 13 - Captive Orca Ocular Issues Schedule 14 - Scientists Generally Concerned About Health Implications of Captivity On Cetaceans Schedule 15 - Museums Visited and Necropsies Participated In Case 4:15-cv-02172-JSW Document 406-1 Filed 09/13/19 Page 130 of 564 REDACTED VERSION EXPERT REPORT OF INGRID VISSER CONFIDENTIAL February 8, 2019 I. INTRODUCTION 1. My name is Dr. Ingrid Visser. I have prepared this report pursuant to my role as an expert witness retained by counsel for Mr. Marc Anderson, Ms. Kelly Nelson, and Ms. Juliette Morizur (“Plaintiffs”) in this case. I have been asked to provide an opinion on the accuracy of various statements made by defendant SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (“SeaWorld”) regarding its captive killer whales. 2. This report summarizes my current opinions given the information I have been able to review to date. My work on this matter is ongoing, and if additional information becomes available, I may modify or supplement my analyses and opinions. I understand further that SeaWorld will be submitting expert reports in this case as well. I intend to review and provide a response, if necessary, to those reports as well. 3. The opinions in this report are my own. I have no relationship with Plaintiffs, nor do I have any relationship with Plaintiffs’ attorneys apart from this case, nor do I have any financial interest in the outcome of this case. 4. Throughout this report and in the cited documents, I have attempted to consistently use metrics (with imperial in brackets, when given). Additionally, for dates, if not written in full, I use the yyyymmdd format. This system allows for chronological sorting, removes ambiguities with regards to USA vs international date format as well as reduces potential for errors. Page 6 of 328 Case 4:15-cv-02172-JSW Document 406-1 Filed 09/13/19 Page 131 of 564 REDACTED VERSION EXPERT REPORT OF INGRID VISSER CONFIDENTIAL February 8, 2019 II. PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND & QUALIFICATIONS 5. I am a marine scientist specializing in the research and rescue of Orcinus orca, commonly known as the orca or killer whale, and other cetacean species. I have over twenty years of experience in cetacean research. Specifically, my research on free-ranging orca focuses on their overall health as well as daily behaviours, with an emphasis on their foraging activities and social interactions. My research includes field surveys (land, boat, and aerial), behavioural
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