The Controversy Surrounding Ex-Trainers

Since the death of Seaworld’s star trainer, Dawn Brancheau, in 2010, several former trainers have bravely stepped forward to publicly speak about their jobs behind the scenes at marine parks. Special projects, films, books and gatherings bring together these ex-trainers to share and report their experiences.

At least seven former trainers (now activists) took part in the new anti-captivity documentary “Blackfish” which has yet to be released to the public. Still, rumors are flying about these trainers who were featured in the film: How much experience do they really have in the industry? Do they have a vendetta against marine parks because they were fired? Were they bribed to stand out against captivity? Are they seeking fame and fortune?

Carol Ray(left) 3 year veteran and Bridgette Pirtle(right) 10 year veteran are both former Shamu trainers, now turned activists.

Seven former trainers and their years of experience in the captivity industry:

Dean Gomersall – 20+ years

John Hargrove – 18 years

Bridgette Pirtle – 10 years

Jeff Ventre- 8 years

John Jett- 4 years

Carol Ray – 3 years

Samantha Berg – 3 years

          Collectively, these seven former trainers have 66+ years of experience in the marine mammal training industry around the world. Many of these individuals worked at SeaWorld, some as senior trainers with killer whales, and all of them worked with captive cetaceans. There is no question that they have a variety of knowledge and expertise about the field of animal training. So, why would someone devote so many years of their life to achieving and maintaining their dream job, just to quit and eventually stand against the industry that they used to love?

Fame and fortune maybe?

John Hargrove(left) 18 year veteran, and Jeff Ventre(right) 8 year veteran, worked with killer whales at Shamu Stadium and are now anti-captivity activists.

Not quite. It seems foolish to believe that one would give up their job performing glamorous shows with exotic animals in front of thousands of spectators everyday for the “fame” of appearing briefly in a documentary, or writing blogs online. After all, there is far more fame, glitz and glam in dolphin training than there is in activism! These trainers have not made big bucks for standing out either. None of them were paid to be featured in the documentary “Blackfish”, and with the cost of travel  these days, it seems former trainers are more apt to lose money than to make money for their activism. Former trainer Jeff Ventre had this to say:

“In regard to fame and fortune, I’m personally down (net loss) about ten thousand due to hotels, travel expenses, and lift tickets involved with places like Park City and Sarasota.”

This ties right in with another question that pro-caps ask about the ex trainers. Did “famous” anti-caps like David Kirby, author of ”Death at SeaWorld”, or journalist Tim Zimmermann, bribe them with millions of dollars to quit their jobs and join the ranks of activism?

This conspiracy theory seems less like a logical, realistic explanation and more like a stirring of the pot. Journalists/bloggers generally do not become famous for their work. To think that Tim Zimmermann would have millions of dollars to dish out to ex trainers is a bit far-fetched. Though Kirby is a professional author, he became an anti-captivity activist after many of the former trainers had already stepped out. We don’t see Kirby or Zimmermann living the high life with all of their millions (and millions more to spare). We definitely don’t see former trainers doing the same. If that were the case, Jeff Ventre would not have such a problem with a net loss of ten thousand dollars! Furthermore, many of the trainers have been out of the business of animal training for several years as they pursued other career choices, so it wasn’t a bribe from Kirby or Zimmermann that made them quit their jobs.

Six former trainers standing proudly against the captivity industry. (Photo from voiceoftheorcas.com)

Were the ex-trainers fired or do they have a vendetta against marine parks? Only one of the former trainers featured in “Blackfish” was fired, while the rest quit or retired from their jobs. All of the ex trainers express that they felt the need to stand against captivity after re-thinking some of the questionable experiences they had while working in the industry. Dawn’s death brought the captivity debate to the forefront of the media which led many former trainers to feel convicted about their previous careers.

Many pro-captivity activists and marine park fans condemn anti-captivity activists saying that they would only consider claims about captivity made by those who have experienced it first hand. But when those who have experienced captivity first hand step forward, they are dismissed without question and are subjected to vicious rumors, assumptions, and calls for censorship. They are rejected; not because their claims are wrong of course, and certainly not because they lack expertise in the industry…but simply because their claims are anti-captivity. This is one example of prejudice that has crept into the pro-captivity community.

I urge everyone to do research before spreading false rumors or making assumptions. These former trainers are brave individuals who are standing up for what they believe in. Their voices should be heard!

If you want to learn more about ex-trainers visit voiceoftheorcas.com

Sharks and Rays are Suffering in Captivity

Aside from marine mammals, stingrays and sharks are two of the most popular animals at aquariums and marine parks. Unfortunately, they also suffer at marine parks, just like the captive mammals.

Marine parks often sell the ferocity of sharks to their visitors, but experts say that these terrifying fishes are actually very fragile, and may be victims of the sub-par environment that they are provided in captivity. According to the professor of aquatic sciences at the University of Florida:

“Public aquariums often prefer sharks that exhibit a predatory appearance and display a fierce hunting behavior…Due to public demand and the “wow factor,” aquariums want to include rarer sharks, such as the great white shark, tiger shark, scalloped hammerhead shark, and whale shark, in their exhibits. However, many of these shark species do not adapt to captive life and maintaining them successfully involves tremendous expertise and financial investment.”

The sharks in tanks at marine parks around the world have been reported to have scoliosis, skin problems from poor water or sediment quality, and unhealthy or abnormal swim patterns and postures.

A shark’s fins curl abnormally due to its small environment.

Sharks are keen on detecting vibrations, scents, sounds, and even electrical currents in the water. The captive environment which is often surrounded by noisy tourists, may confuse these senses. Additionally, many sharks (such as whale sharks) experience a strong instinct to migrate or travel long distances. This need to travel cannot be met in captivity. In fact, many of the tanks are over crowded and excessively small which may lead to unnatural fin curling. As a result of these complications, captive sharks have often been seen displaying aggressive body language (fins down, back arched).

Attempts to keep some species of sharks in captivity have been altogether unsuccessful. Great white sharks are one such species:

“Not only was it extremely difficult to encourage them [great white sharks] to eat, but they seemed to be ultra sensitive to any slight imperfections in the tank which resulted in them becoming disoriented and sometimes inflicting damage on themselves by swimming and bumping into the enclosure walls.” – Fox Shark Research Foundation

Rays swim circles in a shallow, concrete touch tank at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Note the blue paint chipping from the bottom, and lack of sand or natural elements.

Rays are close cousins to sharks and are one of the most popular animals to be found in bare, algae covered touch tanks. Unfortunately, these touch tanks are designed around the tourist’s convenience, NOT the animal’s comfort. Rays enjoy hiding in the sandy sea bottom, but in touch tanks, they are not usually allowed this simple right. In fact, they are not given room to escape the grasping, germ-ridden hands of tourists at all. As a result, many of them may be lifted out of the water, grabbed, or otherwise harmed. Like sharks, rays also have the ability to sense vibrations and electrical currents in the water. The splashing in touch tanks may be very bothersome to these animals who also suffer from skin problems and other captivity-related diseases.

Many protests and animal rights efforts focus on high-profile animals such as whales, dolphins, and pinnipeds. But it is important to remember that the well-being of sharks and stingrays is also severely compromised in a captive environment.

Liberty for Kshamenk?

“When we return wild animals to nature, we merely return them to what is already theirs. For man cannot give wild animals freedom, they can only take it away.” – Jacques Cousteau

Liberation may be around the corner for Kshamenk (shah-men-k), a captive orca living at Mundo Marino in Argentina. Though it is said that Kshamenk stranded accidentally in 1992, rumors have since circulated that the stranding may have been forced by whale captors. At the time, the young transient whale was only 5 years old.  Kshamenk lived with a female companion named Belen for 8 years, before she died in 2000 of a kidney infection.

Like all captive orcas, Kshamenk’s life in a cage has been cruel. Bottlenose dolphins have been his only companions for the 13 years since Belen’s death. As a 25 year old lone orca bull, Kshamenk experiences sexual frustration which he has expressed by mating with his dolphin tank mates. He is described by his trainers as aggressive, and distant. These conditions have led many to believe that rehabilitation and release are the best options for him.

Kshamenk is owned by the State of Argentina – not the aquarium Mundo Marino. A recent article has announced that the government of Argentina is analyzing a project that would potentially release Kshamenk. The English translation of the article reads:

“Kshamenk is a male orca who was captured and put in captivity in 1992. Since then he has been in captivity inside an aquarium in San Clemente, Argentina. The government of Chubut is analyzing a project requesting the reintroduction of Kshamenk to the ocean and the re-adaptation and rehabilitation and liberation into his natural habitat.

Specialists indicate that the Argentine legislation states the Kshamenk belongs to the state. They are saying that an animal that was born in the wild should not be kept in an aquarium.

Whales have an approximate life span of 55 years, Kshamenk was captured when he was around 5 years old and has been in captivity for 20 years.

Because whales have a high brain capacity and a notable memory, It is possible for kshamenk to readapt without great difficulty to his natural mindset in his habitat.

The experts say that there is a higher probability that Kshamenk will be released. Kshamenk is the only captive orca in Argentina, and there are only 48 captive orcas in the world. This case could be the example for other cases. this is after the much publicized and failed attempt to free keiko.”

One of the most prominent concerns expressed by pro-captivity activists regarding Kshamenk’s potential release, is the fact that we do not know where his pod is. Kshamenk is a transient orca, and transient orcas have a very fluid social order. When a mother transient gives birth to a calf, the older sibling will leave the mother to join a different group of whales (usually no more than 6 or 7). It is unnecessary to search for Kshamenk’s natal pod, because he would not be with a natal pod even if he had stayed in the wild. Transient groups continually accept new whales, so there should be no issues with Kshamenk being accepted into one of these small groups.

Pro-caps often propose that anti-caps should give captivity a chance. After all, it has only existed for 50 years, and the marine parks need some time to improve their methods and procedures before the lifespan of their animals increases. At the same time, many of them express contempt at the very notion of giving activists a second chance at captive release solely due to the “failed” mission to free Keiko. In other words, captivity should be given the benefit of the doubt in spite of failure, but when activists “fail”, they should simply give up.

There is a mindset amongst captivity supporters which says that there are only 2 options for captive orcas: life in captivity, or death after release. Of course this mindset hinges on only ONE instance of captive release, and the logic itself is based on a false dichotomy, which is fallacious reasoning.

Most captivity supporters may condemn Kshamenk’s release, but they also tend to condemn the aquarium (Mundo Marino) which keeps him captive, due to the horrific conditions of the animal care and cages. Ironically enough, Mundo Marino has a very close business partnership with SeaWorld. They recently bought sperm from Kshamenk which was used to inseminate Kasatka, who produced a calf as a result on February 14, 2012. Mundo Marino used the money given to them by SeaWorld, to buy a new big screen TV for their orca whale stadium.

As an anti-captivity activist, I have high hopes and optimism for Kshamenk’s potential rehabilitation and release to his home, the sea.