Captive Whales By:Coley Davis

Abstract Capturing Methods Effects on Humans Solving the Problem Many of us have had the priceless privilege of attending what are know as oceanic There are two methods to catch whales: catching to preserve, and whaling But not only has the orcas population began to decline since captivity for these amazing Killer whales are beautiful 8,000 pound creatures of the sea. They belong in the ocean theme parks. Through propaganda and customer satisfaction, these parks have (Peta, 2013). Killer whales are found in all of the world’s oceans. They are most creatures, incidents of the past have led to human deaths as well. Captive whales lives consist of and deserve to be free in their natural habitats. A Sea Park could never replace the ingrained themselves into our minds as locations of splashes, sun, and family fun. common in the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, and are occasionally spotted off the the training and performing of tricks in a show pool, day in and day out. The show pool is a comfort, space, and joy this marine mammal has out in the wild. These animals cannot Along with these thoughts comes the common misconception that these corporations West Coast of the United States. vast sized concrete structure filled with water; allowing the orca to perform and swim around at are taking the needs of their animals into account as well. These aquatic metropolises ! ease. When not performing the animals are kept in what are known as “Holding tanks”. Holding speak for themselves, they expect someone to help in doing so (Soboroff Jacob, 2011). house numerous species of magnificent marine mammals and more; however, one Catching to preserve: Fishermen set out on the rough and dangerous seas, and tanks are a great amount smaller than show pools. An orca would have to swim around the rim This is where we the public come into play. There are many things we as citizens can do mammal has attracted the attention of an extensive audience. The Orca, also known as travel far distances until they spot a group of wild orcas. Once identifying their of the pool more than 1,400 times to match the same distance orcas travel in the wild; about 100 today in helping bring captive whaling to an end; the four most effective strategies in “The Killer Whale,” is beautiful, powerful, eight-thousand pound creature. These target, they lock in and began the hunt. They keep the group of wild orca in view miles a day. The confinement and acts of training has lead to aggressive executions many killer doing so are listed below. ! whales draw viewers from near and far through their great entertainment value. by either a built in programed sonar system, or by following the herd and waiting whales have portrayed during shows. Many have believed that the whales that have attacked ! Additionally, they are one of the main sources of income for marine parks. What for one of the many whales to rise for a fresh breath of air. They then deploy trainers during a performance are due to emotional, physical, and mental stress. Studying the 1.) Self educate others about this topic and discuss the cold truth behind captive audience members fail to realize when they purchase that $80 ticket is the everyday smaller speed boats from the vessel and use them to corral the pack. If necessary, videos that display the act of aggression, many have concluded that the animals are trying to whales ! abuse, pain, and suffering these magnificent creatures face. Although Sea World and air support could be called in to help track down and keep the killer whales insight. express what is being done to them. ! other sea parks appear to be wonderful homes for killer whales, the cold, hard truth of A three acre net is released around the herd to maximize the capture rate. Once the One of the killer whales named Kasatka had attacked her trainer Ken Peters back in the 2.) Connect with anti-captivity groups! what occurs after ‘Shamu’s’ performance is anything but magical. net is securely knotted and attached to the back of the boat, slings are used to year of 2006. When the trainer had entered the water to perform a trick with her, she grabbed ! guarantee the captives will not escape. The whales are dragged behind the boat all onto his foot and dragged him underneath the water. Finally rising back to the surface the trainer 3.) Don’t support Sea Parks and Oceanariums such as SeaWorld! the way back to land. Upon reaching a dock, the whales are untied and loaded into did his best to comfort Kasatka. She still had a hold of Ken Peters foot, he remained trapped. ! flat bed trucks. They are then transported to marine parks, where they will spend For a second time the whale had unleashed its powerful strength and took the trainer underneath 4.) Make your voice heard and take a stand for these magniﬁcent creatures the remainder of their lives performing in small, cement pools. This capture process the water for a second time. Finally surfacing once again, the trainer kept calm and did his best is designed for the safety of the animals but is unreliable at best. The objective is to to ensure the killer whale would not lash out once again. Finally the whale had released the catch these animals without harming them; the purpose is to display these trainers foot allowing him to swim away. Ken Peters was able to evacuate the scene with only a fascinating creatures to audiences across the world and entertain humans. broken foot. Lucky for him, he was one of the trainers that survived his killer whale attack. Unfortunately, the mortality rate is high and with whaling in the picture, we face a Many people who watched this video stated that the killer whale expressed “The feeling of dwindling supply of killer whales. being trapped”. If the whale wanted to cause more damage to the trainer, there would not have been any hesitance to do so. There has been over one hundred aggressive acts recorded by killer ! A herd of wild orca swimming freely in whales in captivity, and four deaths that have occurred. Since these incidents, safety precautions ! A killer whale named, Lolita, was their natural habitat rises for a gasp of have been taken into account; trainers and professionals that interact with these beasts are no ! violently captured during a round fresh air before continuing their journey. longer allowed to get in the water with them. Not only does captivity for whales take a toll on ! up of the now endangered (Courtesy of www.CoveBlueJiyu.com) A beautiful rare glimpse at an orca underwater. (Courtesy of www.Divencounters.com) ! southern resident killer whales; their species as a whole, but also affects the human race as well. ! she now awaits the flatbeds after ! being dragged to a dock. History on Whaling ! (Courtesy of Terrell C. Newby; www.peta.org) The first killer whale capture occurred in 1961 by Marine-land of the Pacific, ! ! Kasatka clenching onto Ken Peters foot dragging located in California. The female killer whale was described as “sick” and “disoriented”. him beneath the surface during a SeaWorld After coming to that conclusion, the whalers corralled the whale onto a flatbed . Two ! ! performance. (Courtesy of Lori Weisberg; days after towing the whale to captivity, she was transitioned into a tank. The whale was www.utsandiego.com) traumatized and frightened, she repeatedly smashed her head into the walls of the tanks Whaling: Fishermen leave shore and set off into the oceans dangerous and and eventually died from acute gastroenteritis and pneumonia. Three years later in 1964 wild seas in what is referred to as a “Factory Ship”. A Factory Ship is a massive Samuel Burich a sculptor was offered commission by the Vancouver Aquarium to kill a and powerful ship that does not only catch whales but also loads them onto the killer whale and then create a life sized model of it for the museums attraction. Burich vessel from the back. This ship has numerous ropes, nets and weapons such as harpoon gun. The ship travels great distances until spotting one or more whales. took on the mission and harpooned a fifteen foot long, one ton whale. Surprisingly, after Reasons for Capture one viscous strike the whale did not die; moreover, it retained consciousness after a They keep the animal in sight by using the same methods as mentioned before. The bullet from Burich. At wits end, the aquarium director assigned the whale to be brought ship has workers on deck waiting to fire their harpoons when given the chance. It is not unreasonable for humans to have an interest in orcas and other marine animals; When the whale rises, the harpoon gunner carefully aims and fires at the whales however, when it places the animals in harm’s way we must draw the line. Humans do not back to Vancouver. Using the harpoon line that was attached to the whales dorsal fin, There are numerous organizations and body. After striking the whale, another shot is fired to ensure connection with the extract these animals from their habitats just for pure curiosity. These intelligent vertebrates are they began a 20 mile journey back (“A Whale Of A Business" Historical Chronology, opportunities that are out there in helping bring whale. Whalers let down ropes, tying the tail of the whale to the boat. The whale is stolen from the ocean for four primary uses; Entertainment, Economical use, Rescue, and 2012). Upon reaching the aquarium in Vancouver, the whale was christened Moby Doll. an end to captive whaling. Your small and then dragged from the front to the back of the boat where the Factory Ship lifts up a Cultural Myths. Ironically, it was later discovered that Moby Doll was male. Moby was only kept alive generous effort could have a huge impact a for wall opening dragging the whale onto an angled platform of the ship. The Japanese for 87 days. Newspapers, and magazines began reporting positive feedback about killer ! these animals.(Courtesy of David Kirby; are specifically known for this way of capturing whales. This capture process is Entertainment: Sea World Aquariums and other global attractions contain many diverse whale capture. Moby Dolls aquarium stay was a historical event that catalyzed the www.takepart.com) commencement of a new dawn for killer whales. brutal and incredibly violent. The objective is to attack, strike, and kill these species of ocean life. They employ professional fisheries to go out into the ocean, locate, and During the year of 1965, in the Northwest, the capture of killer whales for animals by any means necessary. The purpose is to cut up, ship, and process these extract unique creatures of the sea. The public is able to closely interact with the marine exhibitional purposes set sail. The second recorded capture was no more than an animals’ precious meat as food and other uses. kingdom by confining it into a minuscule tank. People pay theme parks to view creatures that accidental catch. Two Fishermen caught a twenty-four foot long killer whale in Namu, they otherwise would never have the opportunity to see up close. The public is provided British Columbia. The fishermen put the whale up for auction. Seattle Public Aquarium Japanese whaling ship Yushin Maru entertainment by being introduced to the exclusive world of whales, dolphins, and other owner, Ted Griffin, took advantage of this rare opportunity and offered eight thousand with harpooned whale. (Courtesy of creatures that perform tricks (WDC, 2012). This offers an unforgettable experience and endless dollars for the whale. Griffin knew that killer whales were intelligent mammals, and he Jeremy Sutton Hibbert; entertainment value. could possibly build a relationship with such a creature. After the fishermen agreed to www.advocacy.britannica.com) ! the offer, Griffin named his newest treasure Namu. The only problem was transportation Economical use: Although Sea Parks claim their goal is to entertain, and educate the for Namu, across the four hundred and fifty miles from British Columbia to Seattle. The public, the true objective is to generate income and turn profits (WDC, 2012). By being the problem was solved by the creation of sixty x forty x sixteen foot deep aquatic pen only global locations to allow close encounters with marine animals, Sea Parks have a (Center for Whale Research, 2013). The expedition was towed southward by boat; monopoly on the market. This is the closest people will ever come to experiencing marine life. Namu’s high pitched screeching sounds resounded through the whole journey. On the But just like everything else in this world, nothing comes free. In order to get into one of these Bibliography fourth day of the journey, thirty to forty killer whales came to Namu’s rescue. They oceanariums, you must pay a pricy fee. Once you are in the park, the attractions and rides are all complimentary; however, many other services in the park such as photographs, food, stuffed rammed into the floating pen numerous times in an attempt to free their companion. Center for Whale Research "The First Captive Killer Whales - A Changing Attitude." The First animals, etc… are not complimentary. Many would agree that attending a Sea Park is an Hours passed, and all but three killer whales abandoned the scene: one female and two Effects on the Species Captive Killer Whales - A Changing Attitude. Center for Whale Research, 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 03 Apr. enjoyable experience, but comes at an expensive cost. calves. Many believed these whales were Namu’s mother and siblings. After one 2014. hundred and fifty miles of continuous efforts to free their loved one, they gave up. Keeping killer whales in confinement has an immense negative impact on the ! ! Namu arrived in Rich Cove on July 27, 1965, and was a smashing success. The first species. In the year of 1992, The Humane Society of The United States revealed Rescue: Many of the animals in marine mammal parks are classified as an “Endangered ! evidence proving that orcas in captivity have a greater mortality rate. Although keeping Species,” (WDC, 2012) and pose a serious risk of becoming extinct. Sea Parks and Aquariums Sunday Namu was displayed, he drew five-thousand visitors. By September over Journal of History. "The Superwhale Myth:." The Motivations of the Japanese Government’s Pro- orcas in captivity does decrease natural harms such as predators, chronic stress is a use this to their advantage. It is stated that the capture of these animals brings them into a safe, 120,000 people came to visit Namu. Griffin decided to introduce Namu to human Whaling Policy. Department of Histroy, 11 Sept. 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. interaction. Slowly introducing himself, he began to build a bond with Namu. Not only factor that many incarcerated orcas obtain. This weakens the animal’s immune system, enclosed reservation. This prompts the reproduction rate to increase by keeping the animals ! did he train the whale to perform specific tricks, but they also performed as a duo. leaving a greater risk of infection. “92% of SeaWorlds orcas have not survived past the away from natural sources of danger. When we look at the facts, these animals are made to live ! age of 25. The average life span of a wild orca is 30 for males and 50 for females, which in complex, webbed social groups. Being separated and confined in a small concrete pool Eleven months passed, and Namu’s life came to an end, due to a bacterial infection that Peta. "The Heartbreaking Real-Life Capture of Orcas." SeaWorld of Hurt. Peta and Peta 2, 23 May both normally could live up to 80-90 years old” (THSUS, 2013). When capturing orcas doesn't allow the animals to naturally interact. Many animals are subjected to mental, affected his nervous system. After this occurred, Griffin partnered with Dans Goldsberry 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. to capture more killer whales. Griffin marked the first instance of recreational whaling, for the use of the publics entertainment, catchers focus their attention toward the young emotional, and physical stress while confined in captivity. Though Parks express the message ! and paved the way for future marine abuse. and fit. This damages the orcas division group because the future generations that are of helping rather than harming, it seems the roles are reversed. ! supposed to reproduce aren't able to successfully give birth in the wild; enabling their ! Soboroff, Jacob. "TakePart." TakePart. N.p., 24 Feb. 2011. Web. 29 May 2014. species to continue to spread and grow. Orcas in the Pacific North-West are classified as Cultural Myth: Ever since the 1900’s, Japan has been capturing whales as a food source. ! an endangered species due to excessive capture. The National Marine Fisheries Service During WWII, Japan was economically unstable. Being unable to provide for the many ! have come to a conclusion stating “The Capture of Killer Whales for public display has starving citizens was a problem, so the Japanese turned to a unique food supply: Whale. THSUS. "Captivity Is Dangerous to Killer Whales and Their Keepers, Report Shows : The Humane depressed their population size and altered the population characteristics sufficiently to Desperate times call for desperate measures. With limited supplies and inability to support Society of the United States." RSS. The Humane Society of The United States, 19 Nov. 2013. Web. 29 severely affect their reproduction and persistence” (Wuff Ryan, 2010). expenses, the Japanese turned to Whaling as an economical means of support (Journal of Apr. 2014. History, 2011). After the war had come to an end, Japan was devastated but once again able to ! support itself. Even after Japan had risen from a money crisis, they still pursued Whaling as an ! affordable, simple way of food procurement. They continue this form of hunting, and still WDC. "Orca (Killer Whale)." Whale and Dolphin Conservation. N.p., 17 Jan. 2012. Web. 26 Apr. practice it. Many disagree with the killing of whales as a delicacy. In fact, ninety-five percent 2014. of Japanese people do not agree with it either; the popularity of whale meat has declined ! significantly. This is a hot button topic and is heavily debated through out the world, yet still no ! Many shocking but true conclusion has been made. interesting facts about orcas in ! WGBH Educational Foundation. ""A Whale Of A Business" Historical Chronology." PBS. PBS, 04 captivity. (Courtesy by Mar. 2012. Web. 01 Apr. 2014. Namu, in floating pen, arrives at Aquarium owner Ted Griffin feeding us.whales.org) A Great Whale catch; providing food for ! pier 56 Seattle Marine Aquarium, Namu in his Pier 56 pen, Seattle. the numerous starving citizens of Japan. ! July 27 1965. (Courtesy of (Courtesy of National Geographic Wuff, Ryan. "International Whaling Commission." :: Office of International Affairs. N.p., 26 July (Courtesy of Baido Masanobu; National Geographic Society; Society; www.Historylink.org). 2010. Web. 03 May 2014. www.armstrong.edu). www.historylink.org).