Animal Justice Advocates Diving Deeper with Death at SeaWorld Book

In a recent article at Psychology Today, scientific writer, biologist, and mother, Rachel Clark referred to David Kirby's book Death at SeaWorld as a "Bellwether." Wikipedia defines a bellwether as: 

Any entity in a given arena that serves to create or influence trends or to presage future happenings. The term is derived from the Middle English, bellewether, and refers to the practice of placing a bell around the neck of a... ram (a wether) leading his flock of sheep. The movements of the flock could be noted by hearing the bell before the flock was in sight.

Two of the protagonists in Death at SeaWorld are Ex SeaWorld Trainer Carol Ray & Killer Whale Expert Naomi Rose PhD

In Rachel's words:

"I knew when I read Death at SeaWorld last summer that this book was about much more than killer whales. It was about our society, how it’s structured, and the systems we have in place that allow, and even encourage, brutalization of animals, people and the Earth…legal and corporate systems that continue to foster climate change and other instances of severe deterioration of our natural systems.

What I didn’t know, then, was that Death at SeaWorld was a bellwether, one of the first in this particular upheaval (see also Blood in the Water in Outside Magazine by journalist and Blackfish co-producer, Tim Zimmermann). Now, Blackfish is further advancing this powerful shift to a societal awakening, and to incontrovertible demands for justice."

Death at SeaWorld  is a "Bellwether" 

Due in part to the success of Gabriela Cowperthwaite's film Blackfish, and also to the broadening demographic of informed citizens, Death at SeaWorld is getting into the hands, and minds, of more and more people. And that's a good thing for all small cetaceans, wild & captive. 

Below, see what other readers are now saying about Death at SeaWorld, at "Goodreads." There is also a video featuring Dr. Naomi Rose, called, "The Real SeaWorld" and a video of the Southern Resident orcas.  Lastly, a live Twitter feed has been embedded here that tracks the hashtag

#DeathAtSeaWorld

TWITTER FEED:


Tweets about "#DeathAtSeaWorld "

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Recent Reviews of Death at SeaWorld

These are published at Goodreads HERE:
 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12799562-death-at-seaworld

Nov 06, 2013Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: back-to-nature, blinded-me-with-science, sad-but-true-crime

I never knew I had an opinion on whale captivity. I was horrified at the death of the trainer at Sea World and believed it's just common sense not to hang out with killer whales. After watching the movie Blackfish recently, I was struck by the seemingly deep emotions experienced by the whales when they were captured, both by the pod members still at Sea and those taken away. I needed to know more. I know more now but this is a decidedly one sided picture as Sea World did not participate. Kirby p...more

Jul 30, 2013Nikki rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the best books I have read. Everyone should pick up this book because its such an eye opener. It is very well written and interesting enough that you won't want to but it down. Prior to reading this book the documentary The Cove had put me off ever visiting Seaworld and/or other marine parks. After read this I will whole-heartily encourage others not to step foot in any Seaworld parks until they stop the shows and return eligible whales back to the sea. I remember when I was little I want...more

Nov 10, 2013Libby rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read Death at Sea World knowing I would leave haunted and wanting to do more than read. he thought even passed my mind, "How much better the world might be without our grand ideas." I had little idea how the "70 cents of every dollar" that each Shamu makes for Sea World -- they're all named that, since most die or become unmanageable so quickly -- drives the decision-making and the frequently successful lobbying efforts of Sea World. I've become an advocate of gradually letting each re-learn t...more

Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: activism, favorites

I was actually really skeptical about this book when I first got it. It looked interesting but I thought it would be really dry. It starts off with basic orca biology and goes through the history of orca captures, early captivity and current captivity. The author interviewed the scientist in charge of marine mammal captivity at HSUS and former trainers. It definitely has an anti captivity bias but I think it comes at it from the correct angle. The incident with Dawn B was actually a very small p...more

"The Real Sea World" 

Oct 24, 2013Brendon Schrodinger rated it 4 of 5 stars

'Death at Seaworld' is a fascinating and meticulously researched work that centres upon the death of a killer whale trainer at the U.S. theme park in 2010. However the work also takes on the entire history of the captivity of these whales, as well as research undertaken in the wild.
What you get to read may be argued as one-sided as it argues strictly against the captivity of killer whales, but with the evidence presented, there is no other conclusion that could be reached. It does essentially co...more

Aug 17, 2013Vicki rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-books

Just read it. Death at Seaworld deals with a subject I am very passionate about: whales and dolphins in captivity. Primarily orcas in this book. I've been against captive whales and dolphins for a lob time, an this book has just fuelled my passionate dislike about corporations such as Seaworld.
I could rant and rage about how they make these beautiful intelligent animals perform cheap circus tricks in order for their food, and how captivity is seriously detrimental to whales health: both physica...more

"Voice of the Orcas" 

The Remarkable Concluding Testimony of Former SeaWorld Animal Handler Cynthia Payne

Cynthia with manatees in 1994

Preface for PART TWO:  Cynthia Payne is a former SeaWorld animal care handler and current president of a company in North Carolina called Go Green, Inc, which she founded in 2007. She's lived in Holland & Germany and is an accomplished equestrian rider. After watching Blackfish, she reached out to us, at Voice of the Orcas, with this moving testimony. This is the rather shocking conclusion of her story. 

PART ONE IS HERE: Meet Cynthia Payne: Another former SeaWorld Staffer Comes Forward after Blackfish

Cynthia was employed by SeaWorld, in Orlando, from 1992 to 1994, and told us, "I truly, truly cared for the animals and admired several of the people I worked with and for, but I also recognized it was wrong." Cynthia adds her voice to ours, and to a growing number of former industry workers, and citizens, who are speaking out against companies who display intelligent, self-aware creatures for human amusement. We welcome her strong voice, and thanks again, Cynthia. 

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I don’t believe in favorites, but Gudrun tugged at my heart.  She seemed to possess a sadness of the soul, unlike anything I had ever seen. Gudrun was named after the boat that captured her. I felt that this explained everything.  

She was known to us as, "The difficult whale."

Gudrun with her young daughter Taima. Gudrun was collected in 1976 & named after the ship that collected her. SeaWorld personnel were on that ship.  She was  traded from the Dolfinarium Harderwijk to SeaWorld (1987) on a breeding loan. She survived 19 years in captivity (7089 days) and died of "Bacteremia" after a stillborn calf was winced out of her uterus in1996.  Her daughter, Taima, died after 7635 days in captivity, at age 21, from "Acute Uterine Prolapse," in 2010. 

Gudrun gave birth to Nyar [on 12/31/1993] while [I was working] in the park. Nyar was sick and her own mother, Gudrun, tried to kill her. Standing in Shamu Stadium, one could feel the misery of Gudrun. Her calf, Nyar, had multiple health issues. We had to draw blood on a regular basis from this calf until she died at the early age of two [on 4/1/1996 of suppurative encephalitis, which is a pus infection of the brain. She lived 827 days in captivity]. 

Nyar’s tail flukes (the last time I assisted) looked like a heroin addict, tracks everywhere from the constant barrage of needles.

In animal care, we referred to severely injured dolphins and whales that could not right themselves in the water as a “beachies list” [animal]. This was Nyar, always listing in the water with her head tilted to one side. Nyar died at such a young age. Upon hearing the news, long gone from SeaWorld, again, I felt relief. 

However, Gudrun was not the only one to injure her own calf.

Movie Note: Nyar is in Blackfish. There is a segment where former trainer Dean Gomersall is being interviewed about a new show, and there is a screen within a screen. On the smaller screen, John Jett PhD is swimming in A pool, of Shamu Stadium, SWF, using an underwater prop-driven scooter device. The small whale in the footage is Nyar.

Gudrun was unique as her dorsal fin was remarkably straight. For reference, 100% of captive male orcas have collapsed fins, and most of the adult females. Her straight dorsal fin made her an ideal animal for photo opportunities (good PR). In her last gestational period, prior to her death (1995-1996) she was frequently slid up into the shallows so park guests could stroke her fin, and SeaWorld would then sell the photos back to the tourists. These extended 10-15 minute dry sessions likely lead to the death of her calf in February 1996. After the calf died, she did not pass it. This lead to the Animal Care department wincing out the dead baby using a chain around it's peduncle. This resulted in a prolonged bleed out and infection of Gudrun. She died 4 days later. Details of this can be found in David Kirby's book, Death at SeaWorld, which has entered its 3rd printing at the time of this article. 

There were other atrocities... the dolphin pool was and [still] is one; such a daily prison. In diving their pool, I was as immersed in stress as I was water. Both immediately surrounded you. 

Rake marks seemed to identify the dolphins more than their physical features. They simply did not have enough space for such an extensive number of dolphins in one pool. To this day, the original dolphin pool remains the size of some large swimming pools.

Two of us witnessed a female dolphin, drowning her newborn. Management refused to step in and the calf shortly died. To this day, I cannot make sense of that decision.

Smooshi (not Gwen) & Phil 

I felt as if I was committing horrific acts supporting such a place. I had questions over other deaths I had witnessed, such as the carnage of Gwen, a beautiful walrus. Gwen, fully pregnant at the time, was forced to drag herself across the concrete to a separate pen each night. It resulted in sepsis, or some infection, from scrapes through the skin, which killed her and the unborn calf. In other words, the death of a beautiful animal and her calf was a direct result of the complete stupidity of park executives. I was present at her necropsy and was dumbfounded at the pure loss of two beautiful lives. 

[Side note: Former trainer Jeffrey Ventre was working at Sea Lion & Otter Stadium when Gwen died, and this testimony is spot on. The decision to sleep Gwen in a dry, feces filled room, while she was pregnant, was baffling. The rationale was that Garfield, the male walrus, would somehow injure her, even though they got along fine, and would "spoon together" at night. Thus, the managers of Animal Training & Animal Care decided to sequester her, alone, in a small concrete enclosure with metal bars and concrete walls, to "protect the unborn calf." When she slid over the dry concrete it scraped her nipples, and this led to sepsis & death of both animals] 

All of the animals in the park seemed to pay a price. Two of my roommates in the aviculture department were incredibly upset for months as multiple penguins were lost on a regular basis due to equipment malfunctions and failures inside their exhibit.

It was not just the killer whales who displayed threatening behavior. My last swim interaction at SeaWorld was with Beachie and Cecil, two Atlantic Bottlenose male dolphins. 

1n 1994, former Animal Care Handler Cynthia Payne is seen swimming with Beachie & Cecil 

Two fellow keepers had to pull me from the pool as Beachie and Cecil refused to allow me to swim to the edge. On that day, their stress and frustration was as transparent as the water. It cemented any lingering doubts that I had made the right decision to leave SeaWorld.   The decision [was made] that these animals... do not belong in captivity... for the entertainment of humans.

The argument of rescue on SeaWorld's behalf is bullshit. I was there, I was a member of this rescue team. It does not and cannot justify ripping animals from their natural environment and family to entertain us for what will become their short-lived life.  Rescue by itself is justified and is an integral need, but it cannot be a platform to pull babies from their moms and tear families apart, such as the foundation SeaWorld was built upon. If anything, we were all very frustrated at the lack of rescues that were allowed due to “lack of funds.” So no, bullshit on that one…

Most importantly, facts and math don’t lie. [Mortality rates for captive killer whales are 2.5 times that of free ranging orcas]. 

And so I applaud all of you. What amazing heroic efforts on your part for the benefit and cause of these animals...  I had wanted to speak out for years but I felt as if I was speaking out against some of the best people I have known in my life. The Animal Care staff at SeaWorld of Florida houses some of the most talented and knowledgeable people I have ever known. However, the priorities of these animals must take place. It is to time to evolve into a world where killer whales and dolphins live where they belong, the open ocean.

The SeaWorld Animal Care Staff from 1994. 

I applaud your courage. Well done Jeff, John, Samantha and Carol, and to all of the amazing people in creating this movie... 

THANK YOU

I hope this movie gives cause and support to Morgan, the killer whale wrongly being held at Loro Parque (which is supported by SeaWorld) and whom should be immediately returned to her family in the open ocean. She is a young killer whale with a true chance of survival.  To everyone joining in this important cause, YOU have the power to do great things and great things need to be done. Please stand for these animals and please take the time to sign Morgan’s petition. www.freemorgan.org

Cynthia Payne 

President, Go-Green 

Meet Cynthia Payne: Another former SeaWorld Staffer Comes Forward after Blackfish

Preface:  Cynthia Payne is a former SeaWorld animal care handler and current president of a company in North Carolina called Go Green, Inc, which she founded in 2007. She's lived in Holland & Germany and is an accomplished equestrian rider. After watching Blackfish, she reached out to us, at Voice of the Orcas, with this moving testimony, which we will publish in two parts. 

She was employed by SeaWorld, in Orlando, from 1992 to 1994, and told us, "I truly, truly cared for the animals and admired several of the people I worked with and for, but I also recognized it was wrong." Cynthia adds her voice to ours, and to a growing number of former industry workers, and citizens, who are speaking out against companies who display intelligent, self-aware creatures for human amusement. We welcome her strong voice to ours. Thank you, Cynthia!

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Cynthia bottle feeds a small manatee as others surround her

"Over the course of three years and as an employee of the animal care department, SeaWorld of Florida, Orlando,  I witnessed the deaths and misery of several animals including that of [orca] Nootka’s stillborn calf."

[Below is Cynthia's story - unedited] 

During this time, I participated in “whale watch” [aka "night-watch"]; extra personnel to watch for the upcoming birth of Nootka’s calf. She seemed separated from all of the whales, her only apparent communication was through the gates. Touch, feel, social interaction is a critical component to a whale's life.  I remember so many nights of sitting up with her, listening to her cry at the gates.  I was young, 18-19 years of age. What did I know, I thought? But the doubts were amassing as to my remaining [employment] at SeaWorld.   

Cynthia on Night-watch at Shamu Stadium

On the night of her calf's birth, I was present, next to her pool on whale watch.  Nootka gave birth to a stillborn calf. 

The next few hours were a horror movie.

Staff members, everywhere, were giving orders and decided they must immediately remove the stillborn calf, thus refusing Nootka any time to grieve. 

Nootka fought and fought AND FOUGHT. She carried the stillborn calf repeatedly, trying to keep it at bay from the staff. 

Mercilessly, the staff seemed intent on the calf’s immediate removal. I turned to the vet on-site, almost in tears and I asked “Can't she have a moment to grieve?”  There was no debate, there was 'no time,' he stated. They needed to take the calf immediately.

The "Animal Care" Department at SeaWorld of Florida in 1994

This night replays over and over in my head, I can still hear her screams. 

The SeaWorld staff dropped a net the depth and width of the pool.  Nootka would try to pick up the net  and then at other times push her baby over it, all in an effort to escape this onslaught of people, everywhere, screaming orders and trying to take her calf away. Certainly, any mother would need, desire, require some time to grieve?

They gave her nothing. They took the stillborn. Nootka was forced into a holding pool, hardly enough space to turn around.

I sat with her that night on whale watch. I had witnessed everything. She cried through the night.  She cried and cried. I still hear her screams and I still wish I could have helped her. 

I sat in total disbelief at the events of that night. I was horrified... feeling as a participant, of any kind. She died shortly after this night. I was hopeful she was in a better place. This night replays as a vivid movie over and over again in my head with her screams and cries sounding just as sorrowful as they did that night .  I remember feeling sickened at my participation and then relief knowing… I was leaving SeaWorld.

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We will publish part two, the conclusion of Cynthia's Testimony, in about one week. In that piece, she'll talk about orca Gudrun and her calf Nyar, two bottle nose dolphins, Beachie & Cecil (see photo below), as well as the tragic death of Gwen, the walrus.  

Cynthia with Cecil & Beachie, just prior to her quitting SeaWorld in December 1994

US Screenings for #Blackfish Movie

>> PRESS ME FOR MORE INFO <<

7/19/2013

Hollywood, CA: Pacific ArcLight Hollywood 15
New York, NY: Sunshine Cinema 5
New York, NY: Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
West Los Angeles, CA: The Landmark 12

7/26/2013

From Friday 26 July

Berkeley, CA: Shattuck Cinemas 10
Cambridge, MA: Kendall Square Cinema 9
Chicago, IL: Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
Evanston, IL: CineArts 6 - Evanston
La Jolla, CA: La Jolla Village Cinemas
Palo Alto, CA: Palo Alto Square 2
Pasadena, CA: Playhouse 7 Cinemas
Philadelphia, PA: Ritz 5 Movies
Pleasant Hill, CA: CineArts 5 - Pleasant Hill
San Diego, CA: Hillcrest Cinemas
San Francisco, CA: Century Centre 9
San Jose, CA: Santana Row 6
San Rafael, CA: Regency Cinema 6
Santa Ana, CA: South Coast Village 3
Washington, DC: E Street Cinema

8/2/2013

From Friday 02 August

Atlanta, GA: Midtown Art Cinemas 8
Austin, TX: Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills 8
Austin, TX: Violet Crown Cinemas
Aventura, FL: Aventura Mall 24 Theatres
Baltimore, MD: Charles Theatre
Bellevue, WA: Lincoln Square Stadium 16
Boca Raton, FL: Living Room Cinema 4
Frontenac, MO: Plaza Frontenac Cinema
Hartford, CT: Real Art Ways Cinema
Houston, TX: Sundance Cinemas Houston
Lake Buena Vista, FL: Downtown Disney 24
Maitland, FL: Enzian Theatre
Manhasset, NY: Manhasset Cinemas 3
Miami, FL: O Cinema
Milwaukee, WI: Oriental Theatre
Minneapolis, MN: Lagoon Cinema
Montclair, NJ: Clairidge Cinemas 6
North Hollywood, CA: Laemmle NoHo 7
Rancho Mirage, CA: Century @ the River 15
Royal Oak, MI: Main Art Theatre
Seattle, WA: Seven Gables Theatre
White Plains, NY: Cinema 100 Quad

From Sunday 04 August

Gloucester, MA: Cape Ann Community Cinema

8/9/2013

From Friday 09 August

Albuquerque, NM: Century 14 Downtown
Boulder, CO: Century 16
Columbus, OH: Gateway Film Center 8
Denver, CO: Chez Artiste
Lake Worth, FL: Lake Worth Playhouse
Las Vegas, NV: Century Suncoast 16
Madison, WI: Sundance Cinemas Madison
Omaha, NE: Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater
Portland, ME: Space Gallery
Portland, OR: Cinema 21 Theatre
San Antonio, TX: Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro 6
Santa Fe, NM: The Screen
Santa Rosa, CA: Summerfield Cinemas 5
Sarasota, FL: Burns Court
Scottsdale, AZ: Camelview 5 Theatre

From Sunday 11 August

Albuquerque, NM: Guild

From Friday 16 August

Baton Rouge, LA: Baton Rouge 16
Bellingham, WA: Pickford Film Center 3
Cleveland Heights, OH: Cedar Lee Theatres
Harahan, LA: Palace 20 - Elmwood
Ithaca, NY: Cinemapolis 5
Kansas City, MO: Tivoli @ Manor Square
Providence, RI: Cable Car Cinema
Rochester, NY: Little Theatre
Salt Lake City, UT: Broadway Centre Cinemas
Santa Barbara, CA: Plaza De Oro

From Monday 19th August

Durham, NC: Carolina Theatre - Durham

8/23/2013

Amherst, MA: Amherst Cinema Arts Center 3

Charlotte, NC: Manor Theatre 2
Dallas, TX: Angelika Film Center and Cafe
Honolulu, HI: Kahala Theatres 8
Spokane, WA: Magic Lantern Theatre
Tulsa, OK: Circle Cinema

8/28/2013

From Wednesday 28 August

Gainesville, FL: Hippodrome - Gainesville
Anchorage, AK: Bear Tooth Theatre

8/30/2013

From Friday 30 August

Boise, ID: The Flicks 4
Dayton, OH: New Neon Movies
Knoxville, TN: Downtown West Cinema 8
Pelham, NY: Pelham Picture House

From Saturday 7 September

Bradenton, FL: Lakewood Ranch 6

From Wednesday 11 September

Chicago, IL: Beverly Arts Center of Chicago

From 9/12/2013

Lake Placid, NY: Lake Placid Center for the Arts

From 9/13/2013

Hilo, HI: Palace Theatre

From 9/27/2013

Auburn, NY: Auburn Public Theater

10/11/2013

Helena, MT: Myrna Loy Center
Paducah, KY: Maiden Alley
Three Oaks, MI: Vickers Theatre

10/12/2013

Chicago, IL: Gene Siskel Film Center
Norwich, CT: Norwich Community Cinema

10/13/2013
Lincoln City, OR: Bijou Theater

10/16/2013
Sheridan, WY: Centennial 6

10/18/2013

Boulder, CO: International Film Series
Durango, CO: Back Space Theatre
Fort Wayne, IN: Fort Wayne Cinema Center
Mount Vernon, WA: Lincoln Theatre
Reading, PA: GoggleWorks Film Theatre

10/19/2013

Bellingham, WA: Pickford Film Center 3

10/20/2013
Winchester, VA: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 8-Winchester

10/23/2013
Bloomington, IN: Ryder Cinema

11/6/2013
Gloucester, MA: Cape Ann Community Cinema

11/21/2013
Saratoga Springs, NY: Saratoga Film Forum

12/7/2013
Davidson, NC: Indies + Docs Cinema

Blackfish Cast & Crew Including the Executive Directors of the Film at Sundance in Park City, Utah, USA

Battle of the #Blackfish Posters

Just today, Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthwaite sent us the new poster for her movie, and we love it. However, it did stir an internal debate. Of the 5 former SW trainers / cast members that commented, 2 liked the old version, 2 liked the new version, and one liked them both about the same. So now we need your help. 

Here's how it shook out: John Hargrove & John Jett voted for the original poster, as best version. Carol Ray & Jeffrey Ventre voted for the new poster. Samantha Berg liked them both about the same. 

JJ: I like the old one.  Just my two-cents. 

Carol: OMG, I LOVE this! Now I really want a t-shirt. [I] loved the other one too, don't get me wrong, but this is fantastic. And, I love the, 'Don't capture what you can't control'....awesome!  

JV: Pardon my French, but Holy F-ing Shit. Amazing. Thx Gab! 

JH: I like the old one too! But this one isn't bad. 

Samantha:  Oh wow!  I love it!  I get chills just looking at the poster. Powerful.  I do miss the old picture, but the tag line is PERFECT. 

Thus, with the voting 50:50, we need your help settling the score. Please let us know what you think. You can leave a comment down below or let us know via Twitter @Voice_OT_Orcas

NEW VERSION

Original Version

May Multimedia From Marineland to Blackfish & Non-Human Personhood

One of the reasons we formed Voice of the Orcas website, and Voice of the Orcas blog, was (is) to serve as a depot for information related to marine mammal conservation and captivity. As the wave of public awareness  grows, more and more material continues to flood the news media as well as social media.

GREAT AUDIO INTERVIEW OF GABRIELA COWPERTHWAITE FROM SUNDANCE LONDON

listen to ‘Gabriela Cowperthwaite, director of the eye opening 'Blackfish'’ on Audioboo

This post is put together to capture a handful of the interviews and videos that touched us this past month, just in time for Cinco de Mayo. 

Enjoy these bits of audio & video. Many thanks to the artists who crafted them, and feel free to suggest others in the comment section. We'd love to add more. 

Who Are Anti-Captivity Activists? by DolphinSerenity




Former SeaWorld Trainer John Hargrove (19-years working with captive killer whales) does a solo Q&A Session after Blackfish Movie at HotDocs in Toronto

We LOVE this Great Marineland Smackdown by Mike Garrett 




Sundance London: VIDEO interviews of Gabriela Cowperthwaite and Manny Oteyza, Director & Producer of Blackfish




Sam Simon's Radio Show from Friday 26 April 2013




Toronto HotDocs Q&A with Gabriela Cowperthwaite of Blackfish, by TheFestivalCircuit 





Steve Wise: What's Behind Opposition to Animal Rights by Non Human Rights Project





Impressive Interview with John Jett PhD 





The Killing Circus - Behind the Glass by AnaGirlEmpath




Red Carpet Interview of Four Former SeaWorld Trainers from Sarasota