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| Ike's damaged mouth from jaw popping. Photo: Elizabeth |
I witnessed a very aggressive attack between two orcas that changed the way I viewed them in captivity. After years of doing my own research on the captivity industry and learning how SeaWorld obtained many of its orcas I decided to take action. I’m currently in school for marine biology... Before I decided to go to school I really wanted to be a SeaWorld trainer.
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| Photo by Elizabeth shows extensive rake marks on Makani |
Q: Elizabeth, when did u first recognize the dental problems of captive killer whales?
A: I've noticed it since I was young. I even remember asking a trainer as a kid and getting the typical SeaWorld public relations (PR) answers. I started documenting each individual orca's teeth to show the public just how bad they are and still continue to decline.
Q: Dr John Jett and I have written several papers that discuss this issue. Have you read any of those?
A: Yes, your and JJ's paper in 2011, Keto & Tilikum Express the Stress of Orca Capvitity
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| This solution was reportedly dripped into the eyes of a captive dolphin at SeaWorld, presumably for infection |
Q: Have you witnessed teeth irrigations and how often do the trainers flush the broken teeth
A: Flushing of teeth is hard to capture since trainers don't typically want the public to see this. But I have seen trainers do it. Normally teeth irrigations are performed after shows since the orcas received fish that can get impacted in the open [bore] holes. But this isn't always the case [that they do it after shows].
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| With mouth open, a captive orca is preparing to have her teeth flushed out. Fish gets trapped in the open bore holes |
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| Captive orca is getting her broken left maxillary teeth flushed out by a SeaWorld trainer. Photo by Elizabeth |
Q: Have you witnessed orcas jaw popping or biting down in the steel gates?
A: I have seen many orcas chewing on gates. I even have video of Kalia doing it. I also see Ike and a few others jaw popping. They do it a lot out of boredom.
Q: Elizabeth, your research is valuable. Thank you for sharing this photographic evidence. How many hours or days of observations have you done in the past year or years?
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| Photo by Elizabeth shows the damaged mouth and jaw of Northern Resident killer whale Corky |
Q: Elizabeth, your research is valuable. Thank you for sharing this photographic evidence. How many hours or days of observations have you done in the past year or years?
A: Oh gosh... I've been doing this on and off for a while. But I really cracked down on documenting it all since late 2015. I go to SeaWorld at least 2-3 times a month. Each visit lasts for about 5 hours; unless security chases me away.
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| Elizabeth's photo shows Shouka's damaged lower jaw with Amaya next to her. |
Q: Have you watched the whales grind their teeth on concrete?
A: Yes, I have. They often do this under the water so it's hard to capture it on film. But normally you will see paint left on their teeth
Q: What message would you like to share with the people who will be appreciating & viewing your teeth photographs?
A: Always speak up. The more voices we have talking about this issue the more changes we will see. People sometimes forget that SeaWorld is a for profit & publicly traded corporation, not a conservation organization. Profit and attendance means everything to them. So the more people that speak and share this information... the more aware the public becomes & the more pressure it puts on the company to change its ways.
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| Drs Visser, Jett & Ventre could not determine what this photograph of Orkid's teeth depicts. Pigment vs tooth? |
Q: What message would you like to share with the people who will be appreciating & viewing your teeth photographs?
A: Always speak up. The more voices we have talking about this issue the more changes we will see. People sometimes forget that SeaWorld is a for profit & publicly traded corporation, not a conservation organization. Profit and attendance means everything to them. So the more people that speak and share this information... the more aware the public becomes & the more pressure it puts on the company to change its ways.
