16 minute read
of Animal Law, Jared S. Goodman
DEEP SENSE
Advertisement
By Joshua seibert
The Ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth`s surface with billions of aquatic life unveiling new discoveries every day across the world. No matter what background you come from, the fact is that in order for us to continue thriving as human beings amidst the factual science of preservation, we must be more conscious of our environment and its inhabitants. In a sense, we have the choice to heal or hurt, and in all reality, a deep sense of intuition has often been a defining factor in turning a mess into a miracle. If you care about the impact that you’ll make in this world, you might pay attention to what drives you. Upon reading this, would you consider yourself full of optimism or rather a cynical person? According to an article at nationalgeographic.com, the Federal Government listed a captive orca at a Miami aquarium as an endangered species and this is but one example of the many cases where ocean life is diminishing. Statistically speaking there are countless mammals that are endangered since 2015. 10,000-25,000 blue whales remain in the environment surviving the harsh climatic conditions.
“Like other large whales, blue whales are threatened by environmental change including habitat loss and toxics. Blue whales can also be harmed by ship strikes and by becoming entangled in fishing gear. Although commercial whaling no longer represents a threat, climate change and its impact on krill (shrimp-like crustaceans), blue whales’ major prey, makes this cetacean particularly vulnerable.” See wildlife.org For me, ultimately this question will always remain close to my heart. “What can I do to make a positive change?” As far as humanitarian work goes, many individuals approach causes different forms of passion. For example, Leonardo DiCaprio, an American actor and film producer whose list of accolades seems endless, has made it obvious that he has chosen to be optimistic. In the past several years, making contributions to several organizations including recent donations of 2 million dollars to Oceans 5, the UN has designated him as a “UN Messenger of peace with a focus on Climate Change.” Over at kickstarter.com, Adrien Grenier and Josh Zeman have begun the “Lonely Whale Project” with world-renowned scientists to find the elusive ‘52 Hertz’ whale and fight Ocean Noise Pollution. At the same time, Habitat for Humanity has a vision starting campaigns to ensure everyone has a decent place to live and many feel that this very standard directly applies to the very creatures we so neglect going about our busy lives. Sea World has recently been a topic point for many activists, organizations, as well as celebrities about the treatment of Orcas under captivity in their facility. Conan Obrien, the American television host, cracked a hilarious joke hinting that the best place for captivity is the ocean alongside this recent tweet, @ConanOBrien: “Not sure about SeaWorld’s new ad campaign “You Either See Them Here or at Red Lobster, kind of makes you laugh doesn’t it? It does seem obvious that captivity is not the greatest choice and luckily for the helpless victims in this equation there are organizations making an impact on massive scales. Supported by a long list of celebrities like Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Bill Maher, Trent Reznor, Pink, Justin Bieber, and Kate Winslet, PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have actively pursued Sea World in efforts to end what they know to be an active infringement on animal rights. PETA foundations Director of Animal Law Jared S. Goodman has intelligence and compassion for this situation like no other I have seen, and I personally believe he’s on the right track.
Here is a look at my interview with Jared S. Goodman:
When did you start your career at PETA?
I’ve been counsel to PETA since 2009. As PETA Foundation’s Director of Animal Law, what would you say your greatest goal is? My greatest goal is to achieve enforceable, legal rights for animals. One example of our work toward that end is PETA’s lawsuit on behalf of the five wild-caught orcas at SeaWorld against the company for enslaving them in violation of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As we continue our efforts to break down that species barrier in the legal system, we push to have existing animal-protection laws enforced and improved.
What is your point of view on capturing Orcas from the wild? Would you explain the effects of captivity on these whales?
It is unquestionably cruel to capture orcas from the wild and subject them to a life of deprivation in tiny, virtually barren tanks, where they often attack one another as a result of being grouped incompatibly, sustain broken teeth and suffer from chronic pain from biting on metal gates and concrete, are pumped full of drugs, and die prematurely from stress-related diseases. The intense public opposition to this abhorrent cruelty is why we have not seen an orca captured in U.S. waters
or a wild-caught orca imported into this country in decades. But captive-born orcas suffer from confinement at marine parks just the same. These animals have evolved over millions of years to swim up to 100 miles per day, dive to depths of up to 1,000 feet and become the top predators in the ocean.
When did you first take interest in Animal Cruelty at Sea World?
For most of my life, I have firmly believed that as PETA’s mission statement says, “animals are not ours to use for entertainment.” No animal should be confined, deprived of the opportunity to carry out natural behavior, and forced to perform inane tricks over and over again.
Have you seen the Blackfish Documentary? What did you think about it?
I have seen Blackfish and thought it was a tremendous gift to captive orcas. The film clearly shows that everything about the lives of orcas at SeaWorld is harmful and artificial—from being torn from their families to being forced to beg for food in the small tanks where they are confined for their entire lives. The public is now more aware than ever of the detrimental effects of captivity and is also making the connection between orcas and other animals who suffer for our entertainment.
In 2014 California State legislature deferred the Blackfish bill -- a law that would ban SeaWorld from torturing orcas. Have you heard of the Blackfish Bill? What would you like to see done with the current legislation on this issue?
The introduction of the California Orca Welfare and Safety Act is further proof that the tide has already turned on SeaWorld. Customers and investors have already spoken via their wallets. SeaWorld stock has plummeted, it lost a million visitors in 2014, it’s losing long-time corporate partners, and its CEO has stepped down. Whether SeaWorld’s confinement of intelligent and social animals is stopped through legislation or public sentiment, this is a failing business, and there is no future for marine parks in any state. SEAWORLD’S ACCREDITATION UNDER FIRE PETA Submits Official Comments Asking the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to Hold Cruel Animal Park Responsible for Violations Orlando, Fla. — This morning, PETA submitted official comments to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) calling on the organization not to renew SeaWorld’s accreditation, to be decided this month at the AZA Accreditation Commission hearing.
Would you elaborate on the current status of this issue for our readers?
The AZA’s standards require that animals be well cared for and housed in appropriate settings and that facilities provide an educational experience and promote conservation while meeting the animals’ physical, psychological, and social needs. Because none of this is happening at SeaWorld, PETA submitted formal comments to the AZA calling for the organization not to renew SeaWorld’s accreditation, which is being considered at a hearing this week.
Ultimately, what would PETA like to see accomplished by holding these organizations advocating inhumane orca confinement accountable?
It is unfathomable that a company that provides false and misleading information to the public, exposes its workers to life-threatening dangers, and keeps animals in conditions that cause them mental and physical suffering and that even kill them can be accredited by an independent body with even the most minimal standards. We want to ensure that no unsuspecting member of the public relies on a seal of approval from an organization whose stated focus is animal care, conservation, and education in buying a ticket to SeaWorld. Trend Prive Magazine supports your cause and aids in the fight against Animal Cruelty. Is there anything you would like to say in closing about how we can all make an impact?
The easiest and most important thing that anyone can do is to refuse to buy a ticket to any facility that exploits and abuses animals for entertainment and tell family and friends why. I also encourage everyone to download PETA’s iPhone app to take action for animals at the touch of a finger and to visit PETA.org and sign up for PETA’s Action Team to learn more about what you can do to speak up for animals and events going on in your area.
Jeffrey ventre
FRoM BLACKFISH
Jeffrey Ventre MD I live in Ellensburg, WA, USA. Twitter: @Jeffrey_Ventre
I am a medical doctor / specialist in the field of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. I treat patients with conditions ranging from low back pain to stokes, to amputees, to brain injuries. Basically, I get people as functional as possible.
The emotions that I got after watching “Blackfish”, cannot be described in words. You`ll have to watch and see for yourself! You might be amazed with the compassion you`ll discover within your spirit. It is a rare honor and privilege to interview Jeffrey Ventre, an insider of this documentary. I am forever grateful to the “Blackfish” team for making a difference, for caring and being such an amazing inspiration.
Catalina Magee, TPM CEO & Founder “Things are not what they appear. The whales are not smiling; they die young, and shouldn’t be performing circus stunts for food. Their brains are 4 times larger than ours and their families are their homes. It is completely unnatural for them to be living at tourist destinations in Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio. This has even led to two animals, Kanduke & Taku, being bitten by mosquitoes and dying in captivity. “Duke” died in the summer of 1990 by St. Louis Virus encephalitis, and Taku in 2007 by West Nile Virus. This does not happen in nature. The whales need your help. A better way to do that is to take science courses in college. Major in zoology, oceanography, marine biology, and help these animals in nature. You’re not dealing with the real thing when they are in captivity. Another way, you can follow in Gabriela’s footsteps and make a documentary film, or follow in Dr. Naomi Rose’s footsteps and write your PhD dissertation on them.“ - Jeffrey Ventre
For those who haven`t heard of this mesmerizingly emotional documentary, can you tell us what it is about?
Blackfish is a film about killer whales (Orcinus orca) that shines a light on SeaWorld’s history of capturing and displaying them for human entertainment. Via collections in the 1970’s, the company decimated the wild orcas in Washington State, and that group is still “endangered” today. The film zeroes in on the story of Tilikum, who was purchased in 1992 after killing a trainer in Canada. No wild orcas have harmed a human and the movie shows how captivity leads to animal on animal aggression and has resulted in four human deaths, and lots of injuries. To maintain the “happy Shamu” image, the injured or killed trainers are usually blamed for their own death. It’s always “trainer error.”
What is the mainstay of the documentary Blackfish and how is it different from The Cove documentary?
The film is based upon the known history of the captivity industry. The Cove focuses on the collection and slaughter of small whales and dolphins. After being herded into The Cove, the best looking animals are hand-picked by trainers and sent to marine parks around the world. Blackfish focuses on the display side of the industry. When I worked at SeaWorld of Florida, five of the false killer whales there were collected at The Cove. They even had Japanese (food) names, Teri, Yaki, Suki, Zori, and Hana, which is kind of sick.
Every person feels the need to make a difference after watching Blackfish, and it is impossible to not have strong emotions and a deeper understanding of killer whales. Blackfish is the result of a lot of passion, hard work, collaboration, love and genius. What was it like to be a part of such an amazing documentary?
It’s an honor to be part of a successful feature film and to work with the former trainers and scientists that are speaking out.Our collaborative work continues with scientific papers, an upcoming chapter in a text book, media appearances, and at our website, “Voice of the Orcas.” In short, there’s a lot of work to be done. The movie is a vehicle for disseminating info to millions of people around the globe. By most accounts, the film seems likely to be nominated for an Academy Award. This will drive DVD sales and the word will continue to spread. I’ve been told that there will be new DVD extras that will shed more light on the situation.
What were the reasons for your big role in this documentary?
I’m one of a small group of ex trainers that spoke out against captivity after Dawn was killed. The industry, in general, is a very secretive one, and it blackballs people that speak out. Because I am now an MD (medical doctor), I felt somewhat insulated. A few of the national TV interviews were spotted by Outside Magazine writer Tim Zimmermann and he reached out to me. It was his article “Killer in the Pool” that inspired Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthaite and formed a template for her film. When it came time, she reached out to me (and the other former trainers) directly.
If you could change just one thing about the big aquatic parks, what would that be?
I would end the circus style shows and convert Shamu Stadium into a rehabilitation and release facility. SeaWorld could use the JumboTron screen to show videos that talk about marine life while people could still come in and watch the handlers and vets care for a recovering animal. They could even put other mammals in the pool, such as manatees.
How did it feel to be swimming with such amazing creatures? Can you describe the first feeling that you had when being on top of a killer whale?
It’s an incredible adrenaline rush to do high-energy water-work maneuvers with a killer whale. Unfortunately the whales would rather be in the ocean than performing for fish. So I try not to glamorize it. It sends the wrong message to kids.
How do killer whales live in the wild? And what is the number one reason you believe they should not be held in captivity?
The resident orcas in Washington, Canadian & Alaskan waters live in extended nuclear families. They swim about 100 miles a day, and are all natural athletes. In captivity they die young, break their teeth on the concrete & steel enclosures, and experience a lot of in-fighting. Several of the whales are even inbred in captivity.
On September 18th, 2006, Nalani was born. Her father is also her brother. This doesn’t happen in the wild. Also, they turn young females into baby factories. In the wild, females don’t typically have babies until around age fourteen. In captivity, they are impregnated as early as age five using artificial insemination methods. It`s unjust and morally wrong to keep these highly intelligent and free-ranging mammals in such small spaces for profit. Have you ever met Tilikum, the whale connected to three human fatalities? If yes, what was your experience with him?
Yes, I worked directly with Tilikum as a Senior trainer in the mid-1990’s. He was great to work with. One time, I even stepped on his back while opening in the morning. I probably wouldn’t have done that if I had known the details of how he killed Keltie Byrne. I feel sorry for him as he gets beat up and has broken all of the teeth on his lower jaw. Many have been drilled out by the vets. We used to have to flush his teeth out 2-3 times each day using a WaterPik because his teeth had holes in them and fish would get plugged. Many of the SeaWorld animals have holes in their teeth.
w
e all know that killer whales have never been responsible for any human deaths while in the wild. Why do you think that the big aquatic parks had numerous deaths and injuries?
Imagine living in the bathroom of a house your entire life; getting beat up, getting limited exercise, and being incredibly bored in a sterile environment. Many folks postulate that captivity itself is the root cause of aggressive behavior. I’ve been in row boats, sail boats, & motor boats many, many times with killer whales next to me or under the boat. They essentially ignore humans in nature. They definitely know you are there, but we are pretty insignificant to them in nature. A friend, renowned orca scientist, Dr. Ingrid Visser, swims with “her” New Zealand orca regularly.
How do killer whales get to an aquatic park? What is the process behind this long travel?
Killer whales that are at SeaWorld were either collected by SeaWorld, purchased by SeaWorld, or were born at SeaWorld. When they are moved around, which happens frequently, they are sequestered into a small holding pool, placed into a stretcher, hauled up by a crane, placed into a small box (similar to a coffin with water in it) and then shipped by plane or truck, depending on where they are going. Transports are known to be very stressful for cetaceans and many cetaceans have been lost along the way. Most are medicated with benzodiazepines such as Valium.
You used to work for a famous American aquatic park as a trainer and have a huge role in the documentary. Why do you think that your previous employer called Blackfish “inaccurate” and “misleading”?
They ignored the film for over six months after it premiered at Sundance. Only after it started getting rave reviews from film festivals did they decide to pay attention. So they sent a letter to 50 movie critics calling the film dishonest, but if you read the points they brought up, they didn’t really address the issues or the facts in the film. They were corporate talking points. It was a big mistake by SeaWorld. That push-back, by them, led to more exposure. It became a hot topic in the media.
