SAVING A YV Introduction

It was a story made for everyone look- kind of cost and effort would it take to Focus ing for good news in difficult times: a keep the entire population from further The story of the spunky and endearing heroine, a situa- declining? Should we even attempt to rescue and return to her family pod tion of great danger, a difficult choice do so? of Springer, the to be made, a platoon of heroes to the If Springer could not rejoin her killer whale, en- rescue, and (as of October 2002) a very family, should she be kept in an thralled both happy ending. We watched breathlessly aquarium? What about the whales Canadians and as Springer’s condition worsened, already captive in aquariums and theme Americans. It also cheered as governments and scientists parks, often the headline performers in raised awareness and interest in came to her rescue, and delighted in her elaborate shows? Was there a valid several issues recovery and release. reason for keeping them away from involving our their fellow animals, since Springer treatment of these Serious Questions demonstrated such enthusiasm on being and other beauti- returned to her pod? ful, sophisticated Underlying the story, however, were marine mammals. some darker questions. Why was this What of the whaling nations like young whale, much too young to have Japan and Norway? Most of the world left her mother and her birth pod, so has given up hunting whales, but some countries continue to kill some whales YV Sections alone? What happened to her mother? marked with this Was Springer’s situation the result of a and would like to be able to harvest symbol indicate simple accident, exclusive to her alone, even more of them. Is their case for content suitable for or was it one symptom of a developing resuming intensive whaling operations younger viewers. problem with resident whales off Brit- a legitimate one? ish Columbia’s coast? At present, it seems that Springer has And what of other killer whales? been successfully reunited with her Many scientists have indicated that family, and the rescue effort, the first of entire whale populations off the North- its kind, has been a great success. But the west Pacific coast are now threatened. It larger questions do remain. Governments, took incredible effort and $500 000 to scientists and the public will likely con- reunite Springer with her family; what tinue to debate them for years to come.

Discussion Is the story of Springer’s rescue more than just a feel-good story? Is it likely to have any further effect in drawing public attention to some of the major questions affecting the future of marine mammals? Explain.

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 46 SAVING A KILLER WHALE YV Video Review

1. Why is Springer’s story so important? To learn more about the amazing story of Springer and the problems facing other killer whales, view the video report and respond to the 2. How might one describe the relationship between humans and questions on this killer whales? and the following page.

For current infor- mation about killer whales, visit Orcalab, 3. How did Springer gain the world’s attention? (www.orcalab.org) a land-based research station on the Inside Passage of northern Van- couver Island. 4. Why were scientists concerned about Springer’s obvious attach- ment to humans?

5. How was Springer treated after her “capture”?

6. What groundbreaking plan did Canadian and American scientists propose for Springer?

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 47 7. How did scientists know where Springer’s family was located?

8. What setback did Springer experience after being reunited with her pod?

9. What specific evidence is there that Springer has successfully been returned to the wild?

10. Why have killer whales become such a threatened species?

11. In your opinion, what is the message of the Springer story?

After Viewing the Video Have you ever seen whales in an aquarium or the wild? Briefly describe the experience.

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 48 SAVING A KILLER WHALE YV Citizen of the Seven Seas

Even among other whales, killer form groups of up to 100 individuals. Did you know . . . whales, also known as orcas, are very Pods are always led by females, and Bull orcas range in special animals. They are found in all have a distinct social hierarchy. Pod length from 5.8 to 6.7 metres, and in the world’s oceans, and are the most members work together when hunting, weight from 3628 widely distributed mammal next to forcing prey into areas where the to 5442 kilograms? humans. They have even been seen whales may take turns feeding. They Females are hunting in freshwater rivers in Europe use sound both to locate their prey smaller, at 4.9-5.8 and North America. The actual world (echolocation) and to stun it. Some- metres and 1361- population is unknown, because very times they suddenly slide up onto the 3628 kilos. few groups of killer whales have been shore (beaching) to frighten seals and well studied. The largest population of penguins into the water where other killer whales, in Antarctica, is thought orcas lie in wait. to number anywhere from 70000 to Orcas have a very distinctive appear- 180 000. ance: black and white colour pattern, Four groups off the west coast of blunt head and very high dorsal (back) North America are relatively well fin. The colouration—black above, known. These include a group of 250 white below —is believed to assist off southeastern Alaska, and three them in hunting, making it difficult for groups of 300—one living off Western prey above or below them to spot the Alaska and in the Bering Sea, a second whales. in Prince William Sound, and a third off The dorsal fin of male orcas is the the coast and in Puget tallest of any cetacean (the order of Sound. marine mammals that includes whales, British Columbia’s killer whale dolphins, and porpoises). The fin comes population is normally divided into in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, three categories: resident, transient and sometimes upright, sometimes bent. offshore. The groups are determined by Scientists use this fin to identify indi- both genetic and acoustic differences, viduals in the groups they are studying. as well as by their geographic range, Scientists also use orcas’ vocaliza- diet, social organization and behaviour. tions to identify them. Different groups The two resident groups—northern and of whales have their own “dialects” in southern (Springer is part of the north- which they communicate. The sounds ern group)—travel in pods, eat only of different groups and pods can actu- fish, and remain mostly in waters that ally be identified (Springer, although are less than 200 metres deep. she was first located in waters off the Killer whales, while actually smaller United States, was known to be Cana- than most other whales, are the largest dian because of her unique vocal pat- predator mammal. They feed on fish, tern). squid, birds and other marine mammals. The gestation period for killer whales Like most whales, orcas are highly is 13 to 16 months. At birth, calves are social animals. They travel in pods— about two metres long and weigh groups usually consisting of from five almost 190 kilograms. Calves stay with to 30 whales. Sometimes these pods their mothers for two years.

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 49 In some areas, including the waters become concentrated in their bodies. Students wishing to off southern British Columbia, the killer These pollutants make them susceptible learn more about whale population has been in decline in to disease and cause reproductive killer whales should visit, among other recent years. Possible causes include difficulties. sites, harassment by whale-watching boats, Canada is concerned about the future www.seaworld.org/ noise from ships, and decreasing of killer whales. They are considered to infobooks/ salmon stocks. be vulnerable—including those in the KillerWhale/ Recent studies have also shown that waters off British Columbia. Marine home.html hosted by SeaWorld. A orcas are among the most contaminated biologists are currently working to companion site of marine mammals in the world. Because determine the precise causes for their interest especially they are at the top of the food chain, decline. to teachers is pollutants in the creatures they eat www.seaworld.org/ teacherguides/ index.html. To Consider 1. The sophisticated vocal communication ability of killer whales and other cetaceans seems to be unique among marine animals. How might this affect human attitudes toward them when viewing them as another “natural resource”?

2. What could studying killer whales tell us about the ecosystem in which they live?

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 50 SAVING A KILLER WHALE YV A73 a.k.a. “Springer”

The “lone killer whale juvenile” who only complicated the issue. Many You can read about ultimately became known as Springer to worried that, although the aquarium had the latest Springer sightings and her millions of fans and supporters was expressed no desire to keep the whale consult a lengthy first seen in U.S. waters near Vashon and planned to reintroduce it to its birth list of news stories Island in . Using photo pod, Springer might end up as a perma- about her rescue at catalogues and audio recordings, scien- nent captive in Vancouver. Several the Vancouver tists soon identified her as A73, a conservation groups actually made a bid Aquarium Web site: www.vanaqua.org northern resident whale whose pod to take over Springer’s care, suggesting summered in Canadian waters. At one that she be kept in a pen in Puget and a half years of age, she was too Sound. Once she was fit, the pen could young to have left her mother, who was be towed to Canadian waters where she missing and presumed dead. Observers would be released. soon determined that Springer was On March 26 the NMFS determined underweight and not getting enough it would not intervene; but a scientific food, and was suffering from a skin panel made up of members from both infection and possibly other illnesses. Canada and the United States recom- Her behaviour was also unusual, and a mended Springer’s capture and re- special concern was that she was hang- introduction into her home waters. In ing around boats—especially the mid-May, after scientists had deter- Vashon Island ferry. This placed her in mined that Springer’s difficulties were real danger. not genetic, the aquarium pressured the By March the U.S. National Marine NMFS for a final decision. It was Fisheries Service (NMFS) had ap- agreed that, as long as she suffered pointed a scientific advisory panel to from no communicable disease, an look into Springer’s situation and attempt could be made to reunite her determine whether it should try to help with her pod. This was something never her. The panel expressed concern about before attempted. The aquarium esti- her health, and said that her chances for mated that it would cost hundreds of survival without intervention did not thousands of dollars, which it expected look very good. At this point, the to raise through public contributions. Vancouver Aquarium offered to help organize and implement a rescue plan. The Plan The rescue plan had two phases. The The Problem U.S. phase would consist of Springer’s Springer’s plight was now well known capture and assessment in a floating net to the public on the West Coast of both pen prior to her return to Canada. In the Canada and the United States, and a Canadian phase, she would be trans- very public argument was taking place. ported by catamaran to Should nature be allowed to take its where she would receive pre-introduc- course, or should humans intervene to tion care, and then be re-introduced to help Springer survive? For many her pod. Monitoring would continue people, the fact that the Vancouver until the whales left for their winter Aquarium would be leading the rescue feeding grounds.

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 51 Success at first, to be holding her back. But as Springer was successfully captured on the summer continued so did the posi- June 13 and taken to a pen in Manches- tive sightings, and a real friendship ter, . At first, scientists were seemed to have developed between concerned because she ate only sporadi- Springer and another female member of cally and gained no weight. But by the her birth pod. beginning of July her health had im- At the end of September, Dr. Lance proved and she was eating enthusiasti- Barrett-Lennard, the Vancouver cally—18 to 30 kilograms of salmon a Aquarium’s Senior Marine Mammal day. A troublesome skin condition had Scientist, reported that Springer had cleared up, and she was free of disease. been sighted regularly, usually with Springer was ready for reintroduction. members of her birth pod (A4), some- On July 11, Springer’s close relatives times with the closely related pod (A5) were sighted in Johnstone Strait. She with which she had spent her first two was returned by catamaran on July 12, weeks after release. While the re- and released on July 14 when part of introduction process may have been her pod swam by. Interaction was successful, Springer’s sporadic depar- immediate for 15 to 20 minutes. Al- tures from A4 may indicate that the re- though she left the pod after that time, bonding process is incomplete. Fall and she was seen in their vicinity again the winter will likely be the real test, when next day. Fitness problems—her inabil- the resident whales disperse to their ity to maintain the up to 12-knot speed winter feeding grounds. that killer whales can achieve—seemed, Discussion 1. How do you think the intense media attention to the plight of Springer affected the final decision on whether to intervene to save her?

2. Why would the fate of one killer whale generate such media coverage?

3. What does this story sugggest about Canadian-American relations?

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 52 SAVING A KILLER WHALE Human Intervention

The rescue and re-introduction of on the planet. The effects are so severe Springer, for most observers one of the that many scientists are now recom- more heart-warming interactions be- mending that the southern resident tween human and beast, was not with- whale population off British Columbia out its critics. The public debate on be listed as threatened. whether or not the attempt should even Some technological damage is sus- take place was intensive. Did scientists pected but unproven. In the summer of really have the right to interfere with 2002 a pod of 56 pilot whales beached the natural process? What were the real themselves on Cape Cod. Some were benefits of spending at least $500 000 saved and returned to the ocean, but on one whale’s well-being? If we were unable to re-orient themselves and wanted to help the whales, would it not beached again. Almost all had to be be better to spend the money on some- euthanized. There are several possible thing that would benefit the entire reasons for the beaching. Weather and population? geographical conditions or a virus Springer’s rescue was an example of affecting the pod leader have been direct intervention in the life and well- cited. Some scientists, however, point being of one particular killer whale, but to disruption of the whales’ navigation humankind and its governments have abilities by propellers and by sonar as been intervening in the collective life of likely culprits. One study done on pilot whales for centuries. The rise of an whales in the Mediterranean has shown industrial civilization has made this that pilot whales do respond vocally to intervention even more dramatic, and military sonar. New types of sonar may has had a damaging effect on whale create navigational problems for populations. whales. Some of this damage has been inten- Some damage may even be caused by tional. Modern whaling methods, well-wishers. Whale watching is an including factory ships for killing and activity that is part of the growing processing whales, have brought some ecotourism movement, and it has be- species almost to extinction. Only come enormously popular on both of international pressure from interested Canada’s coasts. Most people have seen governments and environmental groups it as a positive development, a harmless has prevented the resumption of inten- way to allow the average person to get sive hunting by the major whaling “up-close and personal” with whales. nations. Some scientists and environmentalists Other damage has been “collateral,” now say that the popularity of the damage caused by the practices of activity has turned it into harassment. societies undergoing advanced techno- Whales are now stressed by the fre- logical change. The most obvious of quent and regular visits of whale- these is the pollution of the ocean watching boats. environment, which has made killer Governments, including the Canadian whales—at the top of the marine food government, have become involved in chain—the most toxic marine mammal attempts to manage the whale popula-

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 53 tions. Prior to 1982, the British Colum- industry, especially in British Colum- bia government considered killer bia, is largely self-regulating. Little whales wildlife, and regularly issued official monitoring of activities takes possession permits that allowed them to place. be held in captivity. In 1982 the federal In 1997, the Oceans Act gave the government introduced the Cetacean Minister of Fisheries and Oceans the Protection Regulations, followed in power to create Marine Protected 1993 by the Marine Mammal Regula- Areas. Their creation is totally at the tions. The latter effectively ended whale minister’s discretion; none were man- hunting— except by Aboriginals—in dated by the act. Canadian waters. Hunting can still Officially, it would seem, we have occur if a “fishing licence” is obtained, assumed the right to intervene in the but none have ever been issued. lives of marine mammals, and have The Department of Fisheries and even decided that some of our past Oceans has also published official intervention needs to be undone. Whale Watching Guidelines, but the

Group Discussion Working in small groups, carefully consider and discuss the following ques- tions. Listen carefully to the range of views expressed. Be prepared to share your findings with the rest of the class.

1. Should we have intervened to save Springer, or should she have been left to her own devices? Why?

2. Does the amount of money required to save Springer in any way affect the rightness or wrongness of this intervention?

3. Is our intervention in Springer’s case in any way a response to our past performance in dealing with killer whales or whales in gen- eral?

4. How does our treatment of Springer relate to our treatment of captive killer whales in theme parks and aquariums?

5. It has been said that we humans are the only lifeform on earth that can affect the outcome of other organisms on the planet. Does this give us special rights; for example, the right to treat life forms in any way that ultimately benefits us? Does it mean that we have special responsibilities because what we do will ulti- mately affect those other organisms?

6. What lessons might we learn from the story of this one killer whale?

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 54 SAVING A KILLER WHALE Captive Whales

An ongoing discussion on the ethics of examined the role of parks like The full interviews keeping marine mammals captive in SeaWorld within the context of from which these quotations were aquariums and theme parks is taking conservation and education. Here are drawn may be read place among environmentalists, some quotes from some of the main at the PBS Frontline scientists, and park management. A interviewees on the program. Indicate Web site, controversial 1998 Frontline program whether you agree or disagree with www.pbs.org/ on the U.S. Public Broadcasting System their statements, and why. wgbh/pages/ frontline/shows/ whales. “The thing that Sea World does—contributes immensely to conservation through its effect on people’s thinking. That’s what conservation has to be—it’s rooted in every resident, every citizen of the country. Conservation doesn’t happen because one individual chooses to give a [percentage] of their income to something. That’s not how conservation happens. It’s got to be a group effort, and if the public doesn’t receive the sensitivity, the education, the concern, then how is conservation going to happen? That’s where I see the significant value of places like SeaWorld or zoos—is how it can affect public thinking.” — Jim McBain, Director of Veterinary Service, and Brad Andrews, VP of Zoological Operations, SeaWorld Inc. Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

“I think that nature is a profound concept in Western culture and I think that we think of nature as being what is most free, what is most unmanipulated and what is essentially not possible to manufacture or simulate. When you’re at SeaWorld you see this incredible detailed abundance, see life teeming everywhere and plants growing freely. You see it as simulated nature that’s a product.” — Susan Davis, author of Spectacular Nature: Corporate Culture and the SeaWorld Experience Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

“So entertainment’s part of it. And the things you’ve alluded to are suggestive of entertainment, but the strength, the staying power, the reason people keep coming back, it’s the educational side, they learn something, there’s depth. I think the sensitivity that people develop just out of close contact with an animal, you just have to go out to a community pool and see the eyes of children light up when they touch a dolphin for the first time. That’s an experience that for many people that one touch will last a lifetime.” — Jim McBain and Brad Andrews Agree ____ Disagree ____ CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 55 Why? ______

“This is first and foremost an amusement project. Its first job is to return revenue to the parent company, Anheuser Busch. The killer whales especially are the central spectacle in this amusement project. They are its Mickey Mouse, okay? So they have to be healthy. They have to be trainable. They have to look good. Ideally, they should be reproducing . . . and while there is some other kinds of scientific research done at SeaWorld, I think most of the research and most of the effort at SeaWorld is put into keeping these whales healthy and performing, able to perform in captivity. I think that’s what the science is largely directed toward.” — Susan Davis Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

“We have to continue to communicate with the over 90 per cent of the American public that feels that what zoos and aquariums are doing is the right thing. Over 90 per cent of the American public feels that zoos and aquariums are essential to education, are important to learning about animals. Over 90 per cent of the public feels that opportunities for children to see wild animals are almost entirely dependent upon zoos and aquariums. So those are the people we have to talk to, there are [always going to be] dissenters, and I recognize the value of dissent, but we can’t cater to those needs, we have to look at the vast majority of people that want and enjoy what we do and see value in it. So that’s where our focus has to be . . . .” — Jim McBain and Brad Andrews Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

“So any intelligent person who sees a trained dolphin show, whether it’s Shamu or Flipper or Keiko or whatever, would have to conclude if they were honest, that what they just witnessed was a spectacle of dominance. That’s what’s wrong with it. It teaches us that dominance is good. Dominance is right, dominance works and that’s the problem.” — Richard O’Barry, who trained the many dolphins who appeared on television as Flipper Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 56 SAVING A KILLER WHALE YV Killing Whales

The controversy over whether whales 1982 and finally went into effect in Detailed informa- and other marine mammals should be 1986. The Japanese (for “scientific tion on interna- tional whaling kept in captivity at aquariums and research” purposes) and the Norwe- conventions can be theme parks has become a central issue gians (for commercial purposes) found at the fol- for animal rights movements and envi- continue to hunt and kill whales. lowing Web site: ronmentalists. The hunting and killing The Japanese and Norwegians, as www.iwcoffice.org of whales for food and other products well as a few other nations, continue to (International Whaling Commis- continues to take place, despite many try to convince the IWC to resume sion). international agreements discouraging commercial whaling. Both countries this activity. argue that whales are a natural re- For pro-whaling The “romantic era” of whaling, source that nations have every right to arguments, go to whose greatest literary representation exploit provided that stocks are man- www.whaling.jp/ was Melville’s Moby Dick, was over by aged so they are protected from the english/ (Japan Whaling Associa- the end of the 19th century. Many kind of decimation that occurred in the tion) and nations, including Canada, continued to past. Norway argues that some of its odin.dep.no/odin/ hunt whales, but modern technology coastal communities remain com- engelsk/norway/ meant that huge factory ships were used pletely dependent on whaling for their environment/ to pursue them. Whales were not livelihood. The Japanese additionally 032001-990108/ index-dok000-b-n- merely harpooned, but shot, electro- argue that they must continue whaling a.html cuted, and even exploded. Whale stocks in order to successfully study the (Government of were rapidly depleted. effect of the current moratorium on Norway). The creation of the International whale stocks and the potential for Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1949 reopening the industry. The anti-whaling marked the first attempt to ensure that Many environmental organizations position is argued at nations would “conserve whale stocks and some governments are actively archive.greenpeace.org/ and thus make possible the orderly opposing the Japanese and Norwegian ~oceans/whaling/ development of the whaling industry.” initiatives. They claim that there is no japanesewhaling.html Because the IWC was unable to enforce evidence that most whale stocks have (Greenpeace) and its recommendations, extensive whaling recovered sufficiently to support a www.hsus2.org/ whaling/ continued. By 1972 so few commer- serious resumption of industrial whal- norway.html (U.S. cially viable whale populations re- ing. They also express a real doubt that Humane Society). mained that few nations continued to either country is arguing in good faith hunt them. A moratorium on whaling when expressing its desire to ensure was approved by IWC members in species viability.

Role-play: You Are the Judge As a member of the International Whaling Commission, it is your responsi- bility to determine whether to permit commercial whaling on an expanded basis by interested nations such as Japan and Norway. You may wish to visit some or all of the listed Web sites to obtain additional information and arguments for and against resumption of commercial whaling. You may also use text and library resources available in your school or community. Use the chart on the next page to organize your information. Be prepared to justify your final decision to the rest of the class.

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 57 Arguments Pro-whaling Anti-whaling My Response Economic arguments

Environmental arguments

Political (International law, rights of nations) arguments

Human and animal rights arguments

Other

My Conclusion

CBC News in Review • October 2002 • Page 58