Orca Medical Record Shines Negative Light On Killer Whale Captivity at SeaWorld

In a recent article published at VOTO, the process of discovery was explained regarding a lawsuit filed against SeaWorld for false advertising. We follow up here with a detailed analysis of an exhibit obtained via discovery. For perhaps the first time a SeaWorld orca medical record will be broken down and explained by a medical doctor & ex trainer. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of cruel captivity in SeaWorld's own words.

Orca Katina's fractured teeth

The findings are striking & include documented attempts of inbreeding, probable food deprivation and associated malnutrition (lab findings); the use of Valium and also drill bits to bore out orca teeth after an abscess. I've included the original document, available for download, and used Photoshop to add explanations on a 2nd version of the same document. Click to enlarge them, if needed. You can also drag them to your desktop on some computers.

The plaintiffs suggest that the image of a "happy healthy 'Shamu'" misrepresents the reality for captive killer whales. They assert that SeaWorld disseminates misinformation on health issues including lifespan, collapsed dorsal fins, & separating mothers from calves; and that if they had been armed with the truth, they would not have purchased tickets and merchandise from the captivity giant. The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from the law firm of Covington & Burling.

Art by Lee Harrison, New Zealand  http://okura.deviantart.com/    @kiwiokuraorca 

Seen below, SeaWorld vets document attempted orca inbreeding, jaw abscess, use of Valium in three different whales, teeth drilling, and ultimately the transfer of a 4 year old male orca to another country; separated from his mother and family. 

For your knowledge, the upcoming lawsuit is Anderson et al. v. SeaWorld, 4:15-cv-02172, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. It is expected to go to trial in about one year. 

--------- The Orca Medical Record for Ikaika ---------

Below is the medical record obtained 28 March 2011. You can view or download the original document. This record contains six "SOAP Notes" for Ikaika, a captive born N. Atlantic male born to Katina on 8/25/2002, at SeaWorld of Florida. SOAP is an acronym that describes each veterinary interaction with Ike. SOAP notes include the Subjective part (what was seen), the Objective Part (exam or lab findings), the Assessment and Plan. 

SeaWorld Dispenses Valium & Describes Pulpotomy in this Document  

The first SOAP note was recorded on 8/25/2006 and the last on 11/16/2006, just a few days before "Ike" was shipped to Marineland in Canada. He was four years old at the time of these records & it was noted that he was trying to in-breed his young sibling (Katina's calf) along with his older brother Taku, who successfully impregnated their mother about 17 months earlier.

Ike & Taku are brothers. Both tried to breed Katina's calf, according to the medical record 

The authors of this note are SeaWorld veterinarian Dr. Christopher Dold & former park vet Dr. Mike Walsh. The note below has added annotations describing what various terms, phrases & acronyms mean:  

Note to readers:  These documents are densely packed with information. Please click to expand so you can view the "translations:" 

Again, with expert testimony & orca medical records, SeaWorld won't be able to wordsmith their way out of the obvious: 

Killer whales suffer at SeaWorld & live impoverished lives, in concrete tanks, eating unnatural food, & are sometimes food deprived. Drugs such as Valium and Tagamet are needed to sedate & prevent ulcers, respectively. Antibiotics are used chronically to treat infections which are often caused by drilled out and broken teeth. Collapsed dorsal fins and teeth damage are the most striking visual evidence of pathology in captive orcas. Family separations lead to suffering and transported whales must re-integrate into artificial pods which are not always accepting of newcomers. 

Author: Jeffrey Ventre MD DC is a board certified medical doctor in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). He treats patients with physical impairments from back pain & stroke, to spinal cord & brain injuries. Jeff is also a doctor of chiropractic & electromyographer. In 1996 Jeff joined Ken Balcomb & Dr. Astrid van Ginneken for Orca Survey, a 40+ year photo identification study of the the Southern Resident population of Killer Whales in the Pacific Northwest; a population once decimated by SeaWorld and where the original "Shamu" was taken. Along with his friends and former work colleagues at Voice of the Orcas, his sister Kimberly Ventre, & Jeff Friedman, he's helped organize 5 Superpod gatherings on San Juan Island, WA. Prior to becoming a doctor, Jeff worked at SeaWorld of Florida from Nov. 1987 until Dec. 1995. He worked with SeaWorld killer whales Katina, Tilikum, Kalina, Gudrun, Nyar, Kanduke, Kotar, Taku & favorite, Taima. JV appears in Blackfish movie, Voiceless film & Death at SeaWorld book. Regarding orca captivity, he & John Jett PhD have co-authored several scientific works & a university textbook chapter, here. JV can be contacted @jeffrey_ventre

Class Action Lawsuit vs SeaWorld Promises Drama & Discovery

SeaWorld's captive orca Tilikum died 6 Jan 2017
from an antibiotic resistant super-infection. Listen HERE

Earlier this month U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled that a class-action lawsuit filed against SeaWorld, for false advertising, can move forward; important as the company was feverishly trying to have the case thrown out so it could avoid legal discovery. Discovery is done in preparation for trial, expected late 2017, and is a nightmare for the captivity corporation; one that has a lot to hide. 

Discovery includes subpoenaing compelling witnesses like scientists, employees, veterinarians & former trainers; or asking for physical evidence, such as the orca medical records, here. Once inserted into the record, the data or transcripts (example from OSHA trial here) become available to media, scientists, members of the public, and animal welfarists. 

 

How discovery works: 

Copied from "How Courts Work" - Link HERE 

The trial will feature SeaWorld's hired power lawyer Larry Iser vs attorneys from Covington & Burling. We've covered Mr. Iser once before: SeaWorld Lawyer Warned Author of ‘Beneath the Surface’

  Orca Kahana: Another victim who brutally died young at SeaWorld from skull fractures

"Remembering SeaWorld orca Kahana," who died from skull fractures in captivity. Note that in nature there are no steel bars or concrete walls to cause skull fractures like this

Discovery  is feared by SeaWorld. Damning evidence brought forth from the 2011 trial, US Sec of Labor (OSHA) vs. SeaWorld, proved to cripple the company, ended trainer-orca waterwork interactions, resulted in a serious safety violation, and provided details from behind the captivity curtain. This included several near-deaths involving trainers working with captive Orcinus orca. We also learned that whales in captivity are regularly medicated, including with benzodiazepines like Valium, but more frequently with ones to control chronic infections or prevent stress-ulcers, like Tagamet. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, one type of lethal infection, Candidiasis, which recently killed a SeaWorld captive [emphasis mine], please click:  

This common mycotic disease in captive cetaceans occurs secondary to stress, unbalanced water disinfection with chlorines, or indiscriminate antibiotic therapy

Of note, un-medicated wild killer whales do not die of antibiotic resistant super-infections, such as the ones that killed Tilikum and Unna, SeaWorld of Florida & SeaWorld of Texas whales, respectfully. Read about Unna's story, as published by the Daily Mail: 

A third whale dies at Sea World within six months: Unna the 18-year-old orca dies of bladder infection at San Antonio park

The Charges 

The plaintiffs, park guests who were given demonstrably false information, allege that SeaWorld is & has been engaging in false advertising by portraying collapsed dorsal fins as normal and captive-lifespans as equal to wild killer whales. The case is Anderson et al. v. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, number 4:15-cv-02172, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Lastly, the plaintiffs point out that SeaWorld continues to (astonishingly) claim that it does not separate mother killer whales from their calves, something that has occurred over and over again, and a claim that has been refuted with basic knowledge of where those mothers-offspring now reside and at what ages they were separated.

From an animal justice perspective, this case seems like an easy win for the plaintiffs... but it's not. SeaWorld is very good at conflating issues like "survival" [projections] with "longevity," calling orca teeth-damage & associated flushings, "superior dental care," and also using time parameters that attempt to redefine what an orca calf actually is. The company prefers to view itself as "the authority" on killer whales despite not having a single scientist on its board of directors, here. SeaWorld prefers to label actual scientists as "radical activists," a method akin to the Trump administration marginalizing journalists. 

SeaWorld orcas neurotically grind their teeth on concrete walls and break them on steel bars, similar to horses "cribbing"

This will be SeaWorld's strategy in the coming months: 

Obfuscate, object to the release of pertinent animal records, marginalize experts, and overwhelm the judge & lawyers with industry-speak & cherry picked data. 

With SeaWorld hoping to muddy the waters on these three main issues (lifespan, collapsed fins, separating mothers from calves) it's important that we, the animal welfarist community, continue to shed light on the realities of captivity. Fortunately, with good information, expert testimony, & orca medical records, SeaWorld won't be able to wordsmith their way out of the obvious: 

Killer whales suffer at SeaWorld & live impoverished lives, in concrete tanks, eating unnatural food, like smelt. Neurotic teeth damage is the most striking visual evidence of suffering at SeaWorld, leading to over medication, dental pain, chronic infections, & morbidity

Gif file compiled by Jeffrey Ventre from #Superpod4, Salish Sea, WA, USA

Author: Jeffrey Ventre MD DC is a board certified medical doctor in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). He treats patients with physical impairments from back pain & stroke, to spinal cord & brain injuries. Jeff is also a doctor of chiropractic & electromyographer. In 1996 Jeff joined Ken Balcomb & Dr. Astrid van Ginneken for Orca Survey, a 40+ year photo identification study of the the Southern Resident population of Killer Whales in the Pacific Northwest; a population once decimated by SeaWorld and where the original "Shamu" was taken. Along with his friends and former work colleagues at Voice of the Orcas, his sister Kimberly Ventre, & Jeff Friedman, he's helped organize 5 Superpod gatherings on San Juan Island, WA. Prior to becoming a doctor, Jeff worked at SeaWorld of Florida from Nov. 1987 until Dec. 1995. He worked with SeaWorld killer whales Katina, Tilikum, Kalina, Gudrun, Nyar, Kanduke, Kotar, Taku & favorite, Taima. JV appears in Blackfish movie, Voiceless film & Death at SeaWorld book. Regarding orca captivity, he & John Jett PhD have co-authored several scientific works & a university textbook chapter, here. JV can be contacted @jeffrey_ventre

Afterward 

So there is great irony that SeaWorld named it's dolphin swim-with park "Discovery Cove." Because discovery, in the legal sense, is exactly what the company fears the most. SeaWorld knows that when the curtain is pulled back, the wrath of public opinion is harsh. A taste of that is chronicled here. And, this new trial is on the horizon.

Photo on left by Jeffrey Ventre while working at SeaWorld, Photo on Right from Sara 

Regarding discovery, on August 23rd of 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited SeaWorld Florida with a “willful” safety violation for “exposing its employees to struck-by and drowning hazards when interacting with killer whales.” Despite efforts to seal documents and sequester testimony from experts, SeaWorld's worst nightmare, discovery, proceeded via pre-trial depositions, and continued in front of a packed courtroom, in Sanford, FL, USA.

For two weeks oral & written testimonies were presented, along with forensic & other types of evidence. The transcript of the entire trial can be read or downloaded from here:

OSHA v SeaWorld Trial Transcript 

Judge Ken S Welsch's Ruling on the OSHA v SeaWorld case 

The trial, held at a courtroom in Sanford, FL, is arguably one of the biggest court spectacles of the 21st century, attended by reporters, movie directors, journalists, television crews, activists and dozens of SeaWorld administrators and employees, many of whom were asked to testify. Some coverage by Journalist Tim Zimmermann, Outside Magazine:

OSHA Goes After SeaWorld - Nov 14, 2011

OSHA Goes After SeaWorld, Part 2 - Nov 23, 2011

SeaWorld pulled all the stops to win. After losing in Sanford, FL, they hired Eugene Scalia, the son of then U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, once described as “an absolute bulldog” and Wall Street’s “secret weapon,” to argue before the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. In a split decision, the company lost again, 2-1.

Tilikum is Dead but SeaWorld Can Extend His Legacy Through Science

Sadly, a week into 2017, we learn of the loss of Southern Resident Matriarch J2, Granny, and now Tilikum, the killer whale that changed the world. In our opinion, SeaWorld now has an opportunity, in death, and can extend Tilikum's Legacy beyond the show pool:

Collaborate with outside scientists, do an MRI of his brain, share tissue samples of dorsal fin collagen, examine his eyes, and in general, share necropsy results with the outside world.  

#Tilikum the killer whale lived 'a tragic life', says former @Seaworld trainer @jeffrey_ventre https://t.co/OMK0q2Trl2 pic.twitter.com/DDQGe41HQp

— BBC R4 World Tonight (@BBCWorldTonight) January 6, 2017

SeaWorld reported that Tilikum had been battling a serious and persistent lung infection, with pneumonia being the leading reported cause of captive killer whale mortality. Efforts to treat Tilikum have finally failed due to decades of antibiotic and antifungal therapy, medications that three-of-us at VOTO have fed him, and medications he was on for a very long time, including when he last killed in 2010. Watch below as former SeaWorld trainer and Blackfish cast member, Dean Gomersall, describes the "death throes" of former SeaWorld killer whale Kanduke, another large male that died under similar circumstances in 1990:  

Tilikum was fed antibiotics consistently for at least two decades, primarily because of his badly damaged teeth, including open bore holes that were flushed with antiseptic solution 2-3 times daily. See SeaWorld's video below. These bore holes lead to fish particles, roe, and other debris getting into the jaw and eventually into his blood stream, causing chronic low grade infection(s), able to seed various organs, including the lungs. 

In his final weeks he was likely suffering from pulmonary edema, or excess fluid in his lungs.When the surface area of his alveoli diminished sufficiently, he likely suffocated and went into death throes, as described above, in the video. 

When Tilikum was near death in 2016, SeaWorld produced this video, below, filled with misinformation, regarding his health & the "similar diseases" found in wild whales. Sorry SeaWorld, wild orca don't have antibiotic resistant "super infections" 

Compare Tilikum's dorsal fin to this personal video from the mid 1990's. 

Many citizens, including some in the scientific community, are hopeful that SeaWorld will dedicate Tilikum's cadaver to science. This gesture would advance our understanding of the impact of captivity on marine mammals such as Tilikum. 

Histological samples of dorsal fin collagen would help us understand collagen fibrillogenesis in killer whales, and why dorsal fins collapse in captivity. Kidney tissue samples could help us understand the effects of chronic dehydration on orcas, like Tilikum, who require gelatin as a dietary supplement. Cardiac tissue could be examined for evidence of physical deconditioning. Eye tissue could be used to understand the effects of looking upward toward trainers, a behavior that is probably contributory to early cataract formation in show animals that must look up for hand signals from trainers. Blood tissue can be used to test for elevated titers of viruses such as West Nile, St Louis encephalitis, and other mosquito transmitted "bugs" associated with zoos, but not seen in wild animals. Immunoglobulin levels could provide information on captive orca immunity. Detailed bone and joint examinations could be examined for evidence of various arthritides. DNA testing could help identify Tilikum's natal pod, and so on. 

The four of us @Voice_OT_Orcas talk about Tilikum & captivity in this brief #Blackfish clip: 

From the movie "Concussion," Take the NFL as an example 

Samples of brain tissue were critical in understanding the newly described condition (seen in NFL players) known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopaty (CTE), and as depicted in the film "Concussion," with Will Smith. The NFL was initially resistant to outside scientists performing these studies, but is now helping to fund them. SeaWorld can mimic the NFL, and CEO Joel Manby can get credit for the change.

Killer whales in captivity are also known to slam their heads on solid objects such as gates and concrete walls, especially adult male killer whales, with Kanduke being a famous example. Learn about Kanduke in the first video of this article. 

Tilikum's brain tissue, via MRI as depicted in Blackfish, could push our understanding of the orca brain forward, a brain four times larger than our own. 

An MRI can be used to scan Tilikum's brain. This has been done once, previously, & was depicted  in Blackfish movie 

SeaWorld has an opportunity to extend Tilikum's legacy beyond the performance pool and to substantiate it's claims of performing relevant science. We are hopeful they will take up this idea for the benefit of science, the public, policy makers, whale lovers, and for future killer whales. 

Thank you, Tilikum, for your sacrifices. Your legacy will live on through us and the millions of people your story has touched.  

Jeffrey Ventre MD
Blackfish cast member 
Former trainer at SeaWorld 

The Morgan Monitor Who filmed The Escape Behavior Provides More First Hand Details about the Orca

This week, controversial video footage gathered by the anonymous "Morgan Monitors" was posted by the DolphinProject and picked up by major news media. The "Monitors" are seeking justice for the young killer whale who was captured & betrayed by the Dutch Dolfinarium Harderwijk and shipped to Loro Parque, in the Canary Islands, Spain, with the help of SeaWorld, from the United States. If that sounds like whale laundering, read THIS: 

To LINK to & DOWNLOAD this WHITE PAPER, click HERE 

The footage shows Morgan distressed and beaching herself on the stage area at "Orca Ocean," the circus style arena at the theme park. 

The story made global headlines with articles appearing at media sights including PEOPLE, TIME, Mashable, Russian TV, FOX News, the Telegraph, and more. Some headlines were overtly sensational & the responses from Loro Parque and SeaWorld claiming that Morgan was exhibiting "normal behavior" were patently false. 

One video, posted at Sky News, caught the attention of the anonymous "Morgan Monitor" who actually filmed the distressed orca. The video is linked here:

Watch @KayBurley's interview with former SeaWorld trainer @jeffrey_ventre on why a killer whale would beach itself https://t.co/S9l2Y8ClnT

— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 7, 2016

Within hours & via Twitter, the anonymous Morgan Monitor reached out to the former SeaWorld trainer who provided the analysis seen in the video. With permission, this information is being shared, below: 

to:		jmventre
date:		Tue, Jun 7, 2016 at 1:06 PM
subject:		Regarding Morgan Video

Hi...  I took the footage of Morgan. 

What you said in the interview on Sky news was spot on... 

I wish there was some way I could get it out to the media that this was not a suicide attempt,

but without my identity being exposed... So here is my unpublished blog, which may give you a better idea of what led to her jumping out. 

A visit to Loro Parque 16th May 2016: 

Morgan the female orca has captured the hearts of many around the world. She was spotted swimming alone in waters of the Netherlands. She was extremely underweight but swimming freely. She was captured by a local theme park (Dolfinarium Harderwijk), under a Dutch Government issued ‘rescue, rehabilitation and release’ permit. The theme park failed to fulfill the rehabilitation and release part of the permit.

She was trained and kept in a life of captivity. Morgan now spends her life in Loro Parque on the island of Tenerife. Here she is constantly attacked, and the male [Keto] tries to mate with her.  The Free Morgan Foundation was formed to get Morgan back to her family in Norway. Morgan has suffered a significant injustice most of her life. This visit was to follow up on Morgan after the release of footage of her violently banging her head against the gate of the med pool a few weeks earlier. The last show Morgan made her first appearance of the day. The show arena was not as full as it had been earlier that day. Video footage was taken of the show; the first part of the footage shows a splash and 3 orcas going under the water, It seemed like some kind of scramble or attack by two orcas on the other one (Morgan). 

The following moment Morgan jumped and beached herself onto the concrete. Her breathing was rather shallow; her vocals seemed stressed and sounded as though she was in pain, even more so each time she lifted her head. 

The first part of the video...  shot of her beached lasted over 2 minutes, and the trainers did not attend to her. Most of the audience seemed to think that this was the ending of the show; many took selfies with Morgan suffering in the background. I then decided to video again as Morgan was still in the same position still showing signs of shallow breathing and severe discomfort. Now people were leaving, I moved around taking footage until I had Morgan facing the camera lens. A female trainer stood a few feet away from Morgan just watching the crowd leave. The other 2 orcas were still swimming around in the tank and often just spy hopping at Morgan. A trainer stood by the bridge was asked if Morgan is ok, His reply " Yes she’s fine just like’s to be out of the water” The audience was still leaving and we were eventually all asked to leave. At this point I stopped filming and I glanced back:  Morgan was still in the same position as where the trainers. This had now been over 10 minutes. So all I could do now was make my way to the exit. As I left for the exit, heart pounding, feeling choked up and holding back the tears. 

I had just witnessed the true face of captivity. As much as they are controlled and trained. The only place for these majestic creatures is the ocean with their true family...

Anonymous, Morgan Monitor  

Superpod Five Killer Whale Conference is "The Future"

Updated 6-27-16 with scheduling information at bottom. 


In its fifth incarnation since 2011, Superpod Five kicks off 18 July 2016 in Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island. This year's theme, The Future, will feature presentations and activities that blend the work of our youth leaders with whale watching, updates on research, dams, salmon, & more. 

Click HERE to go to this Friday Harbor website  

A lot has happened with the local killer whale population since #Superpod4, and notably, SeaWorld has announced an end to captive orca breeding. These current events will be popular topics in Friday Harbor and at the San Juan Island Community Theater, our primary terrestrial venue.

Photo series v J. Ventre #Superpod4 

#Superpod5 is the fifth in a series of gatherings, hosted by Voice of the Orcas, open to the public and attended by an international group of scientists, filmmakers, authors, journalists, former trainers, naturalists, & orca advocates. 

Ella van Cleave, Michelle Duncan, , and journalist Melissa Cronin at #Superpod3 on the deck of Headquarters

The official itinerary includes events beginning Monday 18 July through Friday 22 July, but many visitors arrive before the event begins, or depart several days after the event closes. Once arriving in the "San Juans," most folks don't want to leave, and all can understand why orcas prefer the surrounding waters to concrete tanks. The Haro Strait, separating the West side of San Juan Island, from Canada, can be seen in the short video below: 

In general, the ideas & connections made at superpod gatherings have been significant in helping to bring concepts like captivity, dam breaching, & salmon restoration to the public through presentations, documentary films, direct action, social media, and journalists who attend and report on it. Four film crews have attended past gatherings, including for Blackfish, and we're told a fifth crew, another documentary team, will be attending in 2016. 

Below, hear Katie Emmons, one of the event organizers, speaking at the Kodak Theater, Rochester, New York, with Phil Demers in the foreground: 

_________________________

The Business:

If you have questions about #Superpod5, the event planning committee for 2016 consists of:


Kimberly Ventre @KimberlyVentre
Dr. Lori Marino @Whale_Sanctuary
Carol Ray @carolray_wa
Dr. Jeffrey Ventre @jeffrey_ventre
Katie Emmons @BlueFreedomOrg
Captain Jeff Friedman @orcawild

Kim has secured the community theater, is handling the #Blackfish whale-watch ticket sales on June 1st, and is the lead organizer of Superpod5. The Blackfish trip will be on the "Western Prince II." 

[ SOLD OUT - quickly. Note that there are plenty of other whale watch opportunities & we can direct you to them. 

GO HERE: http://sanjuanislandwhalewatch.com/ or you can also email: jeff@sjiwhalewatch.com

Dr. Marino is speaking at the event and organizing a scholar-advocacy conference on the island. Please read the notice below and contact Dr. Marino if you would like to participate. 

Captain Jeff Friedman & Spencer Domico will be operating three whale watching vessels, The Peregrine, Imagine, and the new "J-1,"  during the event. For questions about getting on a WW boat, please contact Jeff. 

Jeffrey Ventre is organizing the speaking line up, utilizing this blog, Twitter, and direct communications to get people information, such as: 

1. Information about how to get to the island can be found HERE

2. Information about last year's event can be found HERE

3. The history of the event can be found HERE

4. The website for the event (built by Jeff Friedman) is HERE 

Note that you can register for Superpod events at the site. The information is used to estimate how many will be attending & planning venue size.  Also, this event is free & open to all, but there are costs, including rental fees for the community theater, over $2000. In an effort to keep the event free to attendees, there is an option to donate on the http://www.orcasuperpod.com/ website. 

Carol Ray has secured Superpod5 headquarters, is a potential speaker and is an organizer of the event. Reach out to her for general questions. Carol is one of the cast members of the new documentary, Voiceless. See her in the new official trailer, below: 

Katie Emmons is one of our youth leaders and director of the new documentary, Voiceless, which will be premiering at #Superpod5. You can see Katie interviewing Dr. John Jett for her film HERE 

In this second video, Katie explains what Voiceless is: 

We're excited for #Superpod5 as it will attract folks from distant places who all share a love of killer whales, nature, and conservation, in general. Please use hashtag #Superpod5 as we approach this event. Based on early numbers, it will likely be the most attended superpod yet. We are expecting 300 to 400 attendees. Please return to this space for updates on tickets and the schedule, below: 

________________________________

SCHEDULE -- Partial  

#Superpod5 Schedule (So far)

Monday July 18

2-4 pm: Meet & Greet at Friday’s Crabhouse

This is a casual get together to greet old friends and make some new ones. Everyone tends to gather on the top deck for a drink or bite to eat.

6:30pm Welcome to Superpod 5 “The Future” San Juan Community Theatre

History of Superpod and the Blackfish Effect

Ex-SeaWorld Trainer/Blackfish Cast Member Dr. Jeffrey Ventre

7:00pm Screening of documentary film Voiceless

Q&A with Voiceless Director and Blue Freedom Founder Katie Emmons

Tuesday July 19  San Juan Community Theatre 9 – 4pm

Scholar Advocacy Day

Presentation times to follow including:

9:00am – Young Adult Novel The Blackfish Prophecy

Rachel Clark, Science & Environment Author

How I Followed My Dreams to Superpod Using Social Media

Mariah Kirby, Biology Student, University of Missouri-St. Louis

To the Sea - a film about (re)connection

Ella Van Cleeve, aspiring documentary film maker/advocate

Cetacean Awareness: Using Social Media to Create a Vibrant Community

Michelle Strom, Student/Founder Cetacean Awareness

Every Drop

Roya Paller, Social Worker, Founder/President Generation Change

Scholar Advocacy Roundtable including Dr. Naomi Rose, Dr. Lori Marino, Dr. Jeffrey Ventre

The Whale Sanctuary Project – the Future for Captive Cetaceans

Dr. Lori Marino, neuroscientist

Founder and Executive Director the Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy

“I Am Not an Animal!”

Michael Mountain, founding member of The Whale Sanctuary Project Former President of Best Friends Animal Society

Founder EarthinTransition.org

Conservation Canines

Dr. Sam Wasser, Director, Center for Conservation Biology

University of Washington

Wednesday July 20

Whale Watch Wednesday

Spend the morning exploring beautiful San Juan Island. Many Superpod participants are whale watching from shore, kayaks or boats–but the island also has wonderful hiking, biking, shopping and beachcombing. Don’t forget to check out the Whale Museum.

Afternoon – San Juan Community Theater 1:30-4pm

#EmptyTheTanks presentation
Rachel Carbary

Closing the Wild Capture Loophole: Working to Ban the Importation of Wild Cetaceans into Canada

Katherine Sussman, Ph.D

Alphabet Soup: Legislation, Regulation, and Agencies, oh my!

Dr. Naomi Rose, Marine Mammal Protection Advocate and Orca Biologist

Dolphin Project

Lincoln O’Barry

Whale Museum 6:30pm

David Neiwert Of Orcas and Men Presentation and book signing

Thursday July 21 – San Juan Community Theater 9am-5pm

Presentation times to follow including:

The Ecosystem Approach: The Future of Endangered Species Recovery

Colleen Weiler, WDC, Rekos Fellow for Orca Conservation

Dolphin and Whale Brains – More Evidence for Complexity

Dr. Lori Marino, neuroscientist/Founder and Executive Director the Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy

Navy Sonar & Marine Mammals: Potential Measures to Mitigate Harmful Effects

Meegan Corcoran, ex-Navy Biologist, University of Washington 

Center for Whale Research 40 years and Counting Shifting Baselines in the Salish Sea

Ken Balcomb, Founder/Executive Director, Center for Whale Research

Dr. Deborah Giles, Research Director, Center for Whale Research

A Captive Orca and Her Natural History

Howard Garrett, Co-Founder Orca Network