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| 0920501966
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| 0920501966
| 4.30
| 84
| Mar 24, 1993
| Mar 01, 2002
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it was amazing
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I have developed a penchant for books that make me cry. Sheryl McFarlane knew what she was doing when she wrote a story about a grandpa who loves orca I have developed a penchant for books that make me cry. Sheryl McFarlane knew what she was doing when she wrote a story about a grandpa who loves orcas because I am not okay. Maybe I'm still a child at heart because this hit me like a ton of bricks. June is Orca Action Month, and I chose the perfect book to read in honor of these intelligent and I wish I had a book like this when I was growing up. Honestly, though, I doubt I would have read it. Reading was not my thing when I was a kid. All I wanted to do was watch Cartoon Network and play with Barbies. But now that I'm older, I realize I need to make up for all that lost time. SPOILERS. This beautiful story is about an elderly man and his love for nature. The old man is lonely. His children have moved away, and he spends his time gardening, tending to his crops, gathering oysters when the tide is low, and strolling through the familiar woods that once served as his playground and workplace. But most of all, he enjoys gazing out at the water, eagerly awaiting the return of his beloved orcas. Every summer, the whales came in close to shore. They rubbed their enormous backs against the rocks of the island. And they feasted on salmon bound for spawning grounds up the creek that ran past his garden into the sea. The old man watched the pod of orcas leap and breach and smack their tail flukes against the water. And as he stood on the bluff, his heart leapt with the whales below. It seemed to him that there was nothing more wonderful than these great mammals of the sea. Every year as the whales departed, tears filled his eyes. He was alone again. [image] One day, his daughter returns holding a small baby girl. At first, the old man is reluctant, but he soon becomes enchanted with his little granddaughter. [image] When the whales return, the old man takes his granddaughter to the water's edge and tells her stories of the whales he has watched all his life. [image] As the little girl grows, she accompanies her grandpa everywhere and helps him with his chores. They are inseparable. The grandfather imparts all his knowledge to his granddaughter, teaching her about the woods, trees, and the best locations to gather logs, salal patches, and watercress. Each evening, they look out to the sea, hoping for the return of the orcas. The elderly man's strength wanes, so his daughter and granddaughter take over the chores. Sometimes, he assists them, but mostly, he sits on his porch, gazing out at the water, waiting for the return of the orcas. The orcas come back in the summer, and the old man passes away. The mother consoles her daughter, telling her that her grandfather's spirit has joined the orcas. Many times that winter, mother and daughter looked out over the stormy grey water of the strait and waited for the orcas to return. [image] They don't return until next summer. The little girl is happy once more. Moments later, the bay was filled with black dorsal fins cutting through the water. When the girl spotted a calf swimming between its mother and an old bull, a fierce cry of joy escaped her. And right away, she flew up the hill to tell her mother. The author didn't specify, but I believe the story was inspired by the Northern Residents. They have a unique tradition that no other orcas in the world have. Every summer, they visit Strider Beach in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve to rub their bodies along the smooth pebbles. This tradition is passed down to each generation, and the location is referred to as the "rubbing beaches." I thought of two beings while writing this review: my late grandpa and Corky, the last surviving Northern Resident in captivity, who hasn't seen her family since 1969. I wonder if she still remembers, more than half a century later, the times she visited the rubbing beaches with her family when she was wild and free. ...more |
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Jun 16, 2024
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Paperback
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| B007UH4D3G
| 4.10
| 973,970
| Nov 07, 1990
| May 14, 2012
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liked it
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I can't decide between embracing my nerdy side or indulging in my love for pop culture. Jurassic Park is incredibly entertaining and impactful, althou
I can't decide between embracing my nerdy side or indulging in my love for pop culture. Jurassic Park is incredibly entertaining and impactful, although the scientific inaccuracies bothered me. Dinosaurs hold a special place in my heart, just as they do for the majority of people around the globe. Steven Spielberg's film sparked the interest of many and motivated kids to pursue paleontology. While Jurassic Park isn't my top Spielberg pick (that honor goes to Jaws), I still enjoy it. WARNING: SPOILERS Even though some of the Jurassic Park movies suck, I still find myself enjoying them. I love the original, second installment, and fourth movie the most. Rexy, the female T-Rex featured in movies 1, 4, 5, and 6, is my favorite character in the franchise, closely followed by the velociraptor Blue. The fact that my preferred characters happen to be carnivorous dinosaurs speaks volumes about human characterization. I love Raptor Red (the author of RR was mentioned in Jurassic Park), it's my all-time favorite dinosaur book. I've been avoiding reading Jurassic Park for years, but I finally gave in and decided to give it a try. Dangerous apex predators confined in captivity for tourists to gawk at, leading to fatal consequences as people begin to die? A park making hybrids that don't exist in the wild? That could NEVER happen in real life. [image] I'll never miss a chance to mention Seaworld and orcas, even if the book has nothing to do with them. Marine animals are 50% of my personality. I'm sorry. I'm being a hypocrite because I'd be the first in line to visit a real-life Jurassic Park (and the first to die). The real T-Rex possessed far greater strength and abilities compared to its fictionalized version, while the real velociraptors were significantly smaller than their fictional counterparts. Dino nerds sometimes playfully draw parallels between velociraptors and turkeys. However, it's important to remember that turkeys and geese should not be underestimated, especially if you've had a run-in with a goose in your childhood years. It's not a good time. I was curious to see how the T-Rex in the book differs from the one in the movie. I have a soft spot for the Tyrant Lizard Queen (or Rexy, as she's affectionately called by fans). I stan a powerful female character, even if she has visual and olfactory impairments. Grant whispered, “He's here.” “She,” Malcolm said. The most famous predator in the history of the world: the mighty tyrant lizard, known as Tyrannosaurus rex.” The dinosaur must be somewhere among the trees, but for a moment Grant could see nothing at all. Then he realized he was looking too low: the animal's head stood twenty feet above the ground, half concealed among the upper branches of the palm trees. Malcolm whispered, “Oh, my God.... She's as large as a bloody building....” Grant stared at the enormous square head, five feet long, mottled reddish brown, with huge jaws and fangs. The tyrannosaur's jaws worked once, opening and closing. But the huge animal did not emerge from hiding. Malcolm whispered: “How long will it wait?” “Maybe three or four minutes. Maybe-” The tyrannosaur sprang silently forward, fully revealing her enormous body. In four bounding steps she covered the distance to the goat, bent down, and bit it through the neck. The bleating stopped. There was silence. Poised over her kill, the tyrannosaur became suddenly hesitant. Her massive head turned on the muscular neck, looking in all directions. She stared fixedly at the Land Cruiser, high above on the hill. Regis said, on the intercom. “Let's see if she's going to eat here in front of us, or if she's going to drag the prey away.” The tyrannosaur bent down, and sniffed the carcass of the goat. A bird chirped: her head snapped up, alert, watchful. She looked back and forth, scanning in small jerking shifts. The huge animal bent over the goat again. One great hind limb held the carcass in place as the jaws began to tear the flesh. “She's going to stay,” Regis whispered. “Excellent.” The tyrannosaur lifted her head again, ragged chunks of bleeding flesh in her jaws. She stared at the Land Cruiser. She began to chew. They heard the sickening crunch of bones. And then, as if caution had finally gotten the better of her, the tyrannosaur lifted the remains of the goat in her jaws and carried it silently back among the trees. “Ladies and gentlemen, Tyrannosaurus rex, ” the tape said. The Land Cruisers started up, and moved silently off, through the foliage. Malcolm sat back in his seat. “Fantastic,” he said. Gennaro wiped his forehead. He looked pale. I need to talk about the one thing that really bothered me: T-Rex's vision was based on movement. ...more |
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Jun 01, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 0553575619
| 9780553575613
| 0553575619
| 3.96
| 9,144
| Aug 01, 1995
| Aug 01, 1996
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it was amazing
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Paleontologist Robert T. Bakker : I'm going to anthropomorphize the shit out of dinosaurs. Me : [image] It frustrates me when people without knowle Paleontologist Robert T. Bakker : I'm going to anthropomorphize the shit out of dinosaurs. Me : [image] It frustrates me when people without knowledge about dinosaurs insist that they were stupid. Although we may never fully understand the behavior and cognitive abilities of dinosaurs, most scientists believe that dinosaurs possessed some level of intelligence. Troodon is considered the smartest dinosaur because of its above-average brain-to-body ratio. Despite the extensive research conducted by scientists on modern animal brains, proving the high intelligence of certain species, some people still maintain that animals are unintelligent and lack emotions. Whenever people claim animals are incapable of feeling emotions, Jedi Master David Attenborough and Jedi Master Jane Goodall feel a great disturbance in the force. If you share the same fascination for dinosaurs as many others do, let me take you on a journey to a world that existed long ago. The cruel calculus of evolution permits no sentimentality. 'Call her Utahraptor. The Hunter of Ancient Utah.' This name was suggested by the book's author, Robert T. Bakker, to his colleague, James Kirkland, who was filled with excitement upon discovering a massive fossil raptor claw unearthed in Utah. I got emotionally invested in a dinosaur. A DINOSAUR. I regret nothing. Raptor Red is so much better than Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park (if you stay still, a T-Rex, one of the most skilled predators to ever roam the Earth, won't be able to see or smell you. ...more |
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May 10, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0716740176
| 9780716740179
| 0716740176
| 3.90
| 500
| 2000
| Jan 01, 2000
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really liked it
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A specimen of surpassing beauty, Sue can stun into silence even the most jaded and cynical senior scientist. The story has heartbreaking twists and
A specimen of surpassing beauty, Sue can stun into silence even the most jaded and cynical senior scientist. The story has heartbreaking twists and turns, betrayals and palace intrigues, terrible moments of justice gone wrong when the best intentions were rewarded by calumny and imprisonment. Then there are unlikely protagonists: squads of fourth-grade children from Hill City, South Dakota, who tearfully pleaded with the FBI not to take their beloved tyrannosaur away; McDonald's and Disney, who rushed in their forces to save the skeleton from the ignominious fate of becoming the personal trinket of some international financier. As the most perfect T. Rex ever found, Sue belongs to the world. I adored Raptor Red, a book centered around a Utahraptor. Now, I'm completely engrossed in Tyrannosaurus Sue and thoroughly enjoying learning about these fascinating female dinosaurs. [image] He could catch a glimpse of the container through an outside window. "I'd just stand there and talk to her," Peter Larson remembers. "I'd say, 'We're gonna get you out of here, Sue. Be patient. Everything's going to be okay.'" Larson, who was in his early forties, did not expect Sue, a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex, to respond. Dinosaurs talk only in movies or on television or in theme parks. Still, something in his bones told the paleontologist that he had to reassure Sue that she would survive this ordeal, this indignity, just as she had survived numerous battles with other dinosaurs while alive, just as her skeleton had survived millennia upon millennia of climactic change and chaos virtually intact. Only 11 other Tyrannosaurus rex had ever been discovered. She was the find of his life, the find of anyone's life—the largest, most complete (90 percent) T. rex ever unearthed. And while she could not talk, she had been telling him remarkable stories over the 21 months since his colleague Sue Hendrickson had first spotted her on August 12, 1990. Her bones offered clues to determining her sex and the sex of other dinosaurs, as well as the usefulness of their upper appendages. Her fibula, which had been broken and then healed over, seemed to indicate that she had survived a crippling injury that would have rendered her unable to fend for herself for a lengthy period of time. Her partially damaged skull indicated that she may have lost her life in combat. Foreign remains in her midsection even revealed her last supper before death a duck-billed dinosaur. So to Larson, who had known he was going to be a paleontologist since he had found his first fossil at age 4, Sue was alive in her own way. She had a name, she had a personality, and she had a history. She was, to him at least, priceless. [image] Sue was found by explorer and paleontologist Sue Hendrickson and her golden retriever named Skywalker. Poor Sue (the dinosaur, not the paleontologist) found herself caught in a lengthy custody dispute involving Peter Larson, the Cheyenne River Tribe, and the government. The local community was heartbroken when Sue was seized by the FBI, leading to passionate protests. Children were seen shedding tears while clutching signs, and adults drove around in cars adorned with 'Free Sue' banners. Sue's skeleton traveled through many locations before finding a permanent home at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Resy easy, Sue. You are just as formidable in death as you were in life. ...more |
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May 10, 2024
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| 1250002028
| 9781250002020
| 1250002028
| 4.27
| 3,501
| Jul 17, 2012
| Jul 17, 2012
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it was amazing
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Caution for sensitive individuals - I will be addressing some GRAPHIC content. This is a revised version of a previous review I wrote. The incredible
Caution for sensitive individuals - I will be addressing some GRAPHIC content. This is a revised version of a previous review I wrote. The incredible book written by the late David Kirby left me in awe. I'll share a few additional details that he didn't delve into. The world's most famous marine park was forever altered on February 24th, 2010, when Tilikum, the largest orca in captivity, brutally killed star trainer Dawn Brancheau. [image] There is something about killer whales. Scientifically, the animal is known by its genus Orcinus - from the Latin “kingdom of the dead,” or belonging to Orcus, the Roman god of the underworld - and its species orca, from the Latin and Greek for large whale or fish. Maybe it’s their sheer size, some as big as school buses. It might be their force and power, their awesome ability to rocket into the air, or travel a hundred miles a day. It could be their masterful design, their hydrodynamic submarine-like forms, or those elegant black-and-white patterns as if outfitted in tuxedos made of wet suits. Perhaps it’s the fearsome name and ruthless, predatory reputation. Or maybe it’s the whales’ almost otherworldly intelligence, their sense of humor and play, their apparent love of sharing. Death at Seaworld is the tale of Tilikum, the most famous killer whale since Keiko. Keiko gained worldwide fame in the 90s for his role in the movie Free Willy. Tilikum, on the other hand, became famous for killing three people - trainers Dawn Brancheau and Keltie Byrne and trespasser Daniel Dukes. His tale has been recounted in the widely recognized documentary Blackfish, as well as in various articles and online forums. Similar to Keiko, Tilikum was captured in Berufjörður, Iceland. At the tender age of two, he was separated from his family on November 9th, 1983. His early years were spent at Sealand of the Pacific in British Columbia, where he endured punishment through food deprivation if he failed to perform tricks correctly. He was confined to a small enclosure and faced aggression from the two older female orcas. Sealand closed down in 1992 after the tragic death of trainer Keltie Byrne during a live show. Tilikum and the two female orcas were then sold and transported to Seaworld. Tilikum arrived as a replacement for Seaworld Orlando's deceased orca, Kanduke. Once again, he had to endure the dominance and aggression of the female orcas. Katina, the matriarch of Seaworld Orlando, frequently harassed Tilikum and inflicted wounds with her teeth. On February 24, 2010, an ordinary day unfolded at Seaworld Orlando. Little did anyone know that by the day's end, the park would be forever marked by the most horrifying incident in its history. Seaworld advocates still deny the truth and insist that Tilikum was simply 'playing.' Here is Dawn Brancheau's autopsy report : - avulsion of the scalp and associated galeal and subgaleal hemorrhage - lacerations and abrasions of the right ear and left cheek - fracture of the mandible, laceration, and hemorrhage of the oral mucosa - fracture of the 7th cervical vertebra, hemorrhage of the paravertebral musculature, epidural hemorrhage - abrasions of the left upper back - fractures of the posterior aspects of the 9th through 11th left ribs - fracture of the sternum - liver lacerations - hemoperitoneum - dislocation of the left elbow - dislocation of the left knee - abrasions, lacerations, and contusions of the extremities - complete avulsion of the left upper extremity, fracture of the proximal left humerus [image] A park visitor captured this photo of Dawn and Tilikum just before the incident occurred. The final image of Dawn shows Tilikum pulling her towards the water by her arm, but I choose not to display it here as a sign of respect. TO SUM IT UP, Tilikum grabbed Dawn from a shallow ledge, rammed her repeatedly in the water, severed her spinal cord, fractured her jaw, ribs, and vertebra, nearly tore off her left arm, and scalped her. I wouldn't categorize any of that as playing, but you know what they say - ignorance is bliss. I guess all the antidepressants they pumped into him didn't have the desired effect. Seaworld, as usual, tried to shift the blame onto Dawn. This wasn't the first time they did that. Whenever a trainer got injured, Seaworld always pointed fingers at them. Gotta sell those Shamu toys and t-shirts. Following Dawn's passing, the federal government prohibited Seaworld from allowing its trainers to enter the water with orcas. Keto took the life of trainer Alexis Martinez just two months before Dawn's passing. Keto, a 75% Icelandic and 25% Southern Resident hybrid, was born at Seaworld Orlando and was famously known as Seaworld's 'problem child.' In 2006, Keto was moved to Loro Parque, Spain, along with Tilikum's offspring Tekoa, Kohana, and Skyla. Unfortunately, on December 24, 2009, Keto fatally attacked Alexis Martinez. I couldn't find Alexis' full autopsy report, but here's a summary of the incident: - he was grabbed by Keto, taken to the bottom of the pool, and rammed in the chest - he received multiple bite marks to his torso - multiple compression fractures - damage to vital organs - bite marks on the body Loro Parque attempted to portray Alexis' death as unintentional and insisted that Keto did not intend to harm him. The true villains are not the orcas or the trainers but rather the wealthy individuals in expensive suits - the owners and executives. Tilikum has fathered 21 calves (14 if we don’t count stillborns and miscarriages) – Kyuquot, Taku, Nyar, Unna, Sumar, Tekoa, Tuar, Nakai, Kohana, Ikaika, Skyla, Malia, Sakari, and Makaio. Seven of those offspring are still alive. He has three grandchildren. His son Makaio, daughter Malia, grandson Trua, and granddaughter Nalani live in Seaworld Orlando. His son Ikaika lives in Seaworld San Diego. His sons Kyuquot, Tuar, and daughter Sakari live in Seaworld San Antonio. His son Tekoa and grandson Adán live in Tenerife, Spain (they live with Keto, the orca who killed Alexis Martinez). I must address SeaWorld's former practice of separating mothers from their offspring. Here is the list of orcas that were separated from their mothers: Kalina, daughter of Katina and Winston. Takara, daughter of Kasatka and Kotar. Keet, son of Kalina and Kotar. Keto, son of Kalina and Kotar. Katerina, daughter of Katina and Kanduke. Trua, son of Takara and Taku. Taku, son of Katina and Tilikum. Tuar, son of Kalina and Tilikum. Skyla, daughter of Kalina and Tilikum. Kohana, daughter of Takara and Tilikum. Sumar, son of Taima and Tilikum. Tekoa, son of Taima and Tilikum. Unna, daughter of Katina and Tilikum. Ikaika, son of Katina and Tilikum. Seaworld has created hybrids that don't exist in the wild. Breeding across different ecotypes is strictly prohibited in orca communities. Let's take a look at the orcas in the Pacific Northwest. Even though the Resident and Transient orcas inhabit the same waters, they have not had a common ancestor for more than 750,000 years. They do not socialize, mate, or even hunt the same prey. [image] Dawn and Tilikum If you've had the chance to read any of my previous orca reviews, you'll know that I strongly oppose keeping these magnificent creatures in captivity. However, my ultimate priority is to promote truth and science. Nothing frustrates me more than misinformation. I take great pride in conducting thorough research, ensuring that every word I write in my reviews is based on factual information. If I happen to make a mistake, it is never intentional. Throughout the years, I have engaged in numerous debates with both pro-captivity and anti-captivity people. I have noticed that both sides often spread false information. I frequently encounter these topics when discussing orca captivity with others: Collapsed dorsal fins are common in the wild: Less than 1% of male orcas in free-ranging populations have fully collapsed dorsal fins. Every male orca in captivity has a collapsed dorsal fin. In the wild, it may occur due to injury, illness, or exposure to toxins. Another misconception is that captive orcas have collapsed fins because they're depressed. Whether or not they're depressed can be debated, however, the reason all adult captive males have collapsed dorsal fins is most likely due to spending most of the time at the surface and not being able to dive deep. Captive orcas live as long as their wild counterparts: Only six captive orcas have reached the age of 40 - Lolita/Tokitae (Southern Resident, died at the estimated age of 57), Corky (Northern Resident, currently 58/59), Kasatka (Icelandic, died at the estimated age of 40), Kiska (Icelandic, died at the estimated age of 46), Ulises (Icelandic, currently 46/47), and Katina (Icelandic, currently 47). Wild orcas (females live longer than males): K7 Lummi (female Southern Resident) - died at the estimated age of 98 L25 Ocean Sun (female Southern Resident) - still alive, estimated to be 95 years old J2 Granny (female Southern Resident) - she could have been anywhere between 70 to 100 years of age J1 Ruffles (male Southern Resident) - died at the estimated age of 59 T087 Harbeson (male Transient) - estimated to be 60 years old T018 Esperanza (female Transient) - estimated to be 68 years old As much as I hate to say it, Seaworld deserves some credit. They decided to terminate their orca breeding program in 2016 in response to the widespread public outcry. This generation of orcas will be the last in their care. Other marine parks have not been as responsible. Lolita died in 2023 after spending 53 years in North America's smallest orca tank at the Miami Seaquarium. She had no shade, no space to dive, and no companions of her own kind. Kiska, Canada's last captive orca, died in 2023 in complete isolation. Argentina's last captive orca, 33-year-old Kshamenk, suffers from severe malnourishment and has a deformed spine due to being held in a small tank. While I cannot support Seaworld, it is important to acknowledge that they provide their animals with world-class veterinary care, high-quality food, and clean water. It is ethically wrong to keep orcas in captivity, regardless of the conditions. Orcas possess a highly developed limbic system and the most gyrified brain in the world. It's unethical to make them do tricks for tourists in artificial enclosures. They deserve to be free, exploring the vast oceans and showcasing their natural abilities as apex predators. [image] Tilikum performing Tilikum displayed remarkable kindness towards his tank mates. Gudrun had a challenging experience upon her arrival at Seaworld. Katina and Kanduke treated her terribly, as reported by former trainers. Kanduke persistently imposed himself on her. However, when Kanduke passed away, Seaworld acquired Tilikum, and Gudrun's life took a significant turn for the better. They found solace in each other's company. Additionally, Tilikum took great care of his disabled daughter, Nyar. He also shared a close relationship with his grandson, Trua. What caused Tilikum to display such aggression towards humans? He showed immense tenderness towards his mates and offspring. Gudrun sadly passed away in 1996 due to labor complications. Tilikum found solace in the company of Taima, who unfortunately passed away in 2010 due to labor complications. The remaining years of his life were spent in isolation, heavily reliant on medication for comfort. It doesn't take a psychology degree to understand Tilikum's struggles – he was forcibly separated from his homeland and family, thrust into a tank with older orcas who regularly bullied him (orcas live in matriarchal societies where the leading ladies make all the decisions) and was even denied food if he didn't perform tricks correctly. Although his life at Seaworld was an improvement from his time at Sealand, his problems never truly vanished. Tilikum, the largest orca in captivity, passed away in 2017 due to bacterial pneumonia. He was 35 years old. Among the 18 orcas in Seaworld's collection, three were caught from the wild: Katina, the matriarch of Seaworld Orlando; Ulises, the oldest male orca in captivity; and Corky, the oldest orca in captivity. Corky has been living in captivity for over half a century. She belongs to the Northern Resident A5 pod, A23 matriline, and was captured in 1969 in Pender Harbour, British Columbia. Corky resides in Seaworld San Diego. Her sister Ripple, brother Fife, niece Midsummer, great-nephews Fern and Ne'nakw, and great-niece Eliot are wild and free. [image] “But what if the capture of the young calf had never occurred? Tilikum might still be swimming free in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, chasing his cherished herring, perhaps alongside his mother. He might be surrounded by siblings, nieces, and nephews, and his grandmother might still be leading the pod. An oceanic Tilikum would be gliding through his boundless home with fearless power and majestic grace, his fin erect, his teeth intact, his interactions with humans minimal and nonlethal. There would be no need for gelatin or Tagamet, antibiotics or isolation. And of course, if Tilikum had never been wrenched away from his family and friends, entirely for the amusement of humans, the family and friends of Keltie Byrne, Daniel Dukes, and Dawn Brancheau might not be grieving to this day. Tilikum was trying to tell us something. It was time to listen.” ...more |
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Apr 19, 2024
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| 1641607939
| 9781641607933
| 4.67
| 82
| unknown
| Apr 11, 2023
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it was amazing
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Did you know that there are no alpha male orcas? The big males featured in nature documentaries often defer to the desires and needs of their female r
Did you know that there are no alpha male orcas? The big males featured in nature documentaries often defer to the desires and needs of their female relatives, such as their mothers, grandmothers, and sisters. In other words, male orcas are nature's biggest mama's boys. How can anyone dislike orcas? The ocean's most intelligent and badass hunters are feminists. In my next life, I'm coming back as an orca. I will fear nothing Fish-eating Southern Residents are very family-oriented. Both males and females stay with their mothers their whole lives. Their neighbors, the Northern Residents, have a similar social structure, though females sometimes leave to form their own pods. Mammal-eating Transients have a more fluid social structure. All orca ecotypes have one thing in common - they live in matriarchal societies. [image] Blackberry and Onyx, my favorite male Southern Residents. Photo by Danielle Carter. Southern Residents are the most beloved and well-studied orca population in the world. The people of the State of Washington like to think of them as their whales; however, their range extends from Washington through Oregon to California and British Columbia. This iconic species is critically endangered due to the lack of Chinook salmon. Pollution and vessel disturbance are also a factor in their decline. It's against the law to approach a Southern Resident orca by any distance less than 1,000 yards. The Lummi Nation refers to orcas as qwe ‘lhol mechen, which means 'our relatives under the waves.' Orcas possess large, intricate brains with a highly developed limbic system, which processes emotions and memories. [image] Kiki cuddles with her big brother Moby. Taken under NMFS permit 21238. Center for Whale Research/University of Exeter. In late July 2018, an orca named Tahlequah, age 20, gave birth. Calves are born tail-first because their tails and fins are floppy when they’re in their mother’s uterus. Coming out tail-first allows the cold ocean water to harden the fin, so the calf can swim to the surface and take a first breath. But Tahlequah’s baby didn’t get to take many breaths. It is believed to have lived only 30 minutes at most. We’ll never know exactly why it died. Tahlequah didn’t let this new baby go. She balanced it on her head, pushing it up to the surface as if to help it breathe again. Sometimes she carried it in her mouth or on her back. When the calf’s body slid off her head and began to sink, Tahlequah dove down to get it back. Pushing the 400-pound baby with her head was tough work. Tahlequah breathed heavily and fell behind her family as they swam. Focused on her calf, she didn’t have the time or energy to catch salmon to eat. People began to worry she would die too. As the days wore on, Tahlequah brought the plight of the endangered orcas to the attention of people around the globe. There were articles and updates on television and in newspapers and magazines across the country, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. People felt it deeply. They posted on social media, wrote poems, made art inspired by Tahlequah, and stayed glued to the news. A few times, Tahlequah was seen without her calf, and researchers thought she had finally let it go. Later, they saw she had it again. Perhaps her family members were taking turns carrying it for her, or maybe she dove to get it after it drifted down. Then, on the 17th day, Tahlequah finally released the calf. She had carried its body through Pacific Northwest waters for more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km). Tahlequah’s journey was tragic. But two years later, in September 2020, there was good news: Tahlequah had a new baby, swimming and rolling playfully alongside her. He was named Phoenix (J57), after the mythical bird that rose from the ashes—a name reflecting renewed hope for the Southern Residents. [image] The stages of Tahlequah's pregnancy. The last picture is of Tahlequah and baby Phoenix. Taken under NMFS permit 19091. Holly Fearnbach/SR3 and John Durban/Southall Environmental Associates. The Southern Resident orca population consists of three pods – J, K, and L. L pod is the largest. K pod is the smallest. Eba, the orca poop-sniffing dog : Eba, a mixed-breed rescue dog, is the companion and 'colleague' of Dr. Deborah Giles. Scientists use scat detection dogs to do noninvasive research on endangered orcas. Scientists can learn a lot about the health of a wild orca from their excrement – it shows stress hormones, pregnancy hormones, loss of pregnancy, nutrition, toxins, and bacteria. Unfortunately, the Southern Residents aren't getting enough food to eat. That problem can be fixed by breaching the Snake River dams and restoring salmon. Scientists and citizens are working tirelessly to save the Southern Residents and Chinook salmon from extinction. [image] Eba, a scent-detection dog. Photo by Nora Nickum. [image] Scientists take a breath sample from Scarlet. Everyone worked hard to save her. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be. Scarlet was only three years old when she died. In July 1970, more than 100 orcas from all three Southern Resident pods gathered in a joyous superpod near San Juan Island. The extended family was back together—youngsters, parents, aunts and uncles, grandmothers—to play, eat, and sing. Then, in early August, after hanging out for days, they gradually swam south together. But the orcas weren’t alone. A man named Ted Griffin was tracking them from a boat, following them day and night and radioing his colleagues. These people weren’t doing research. They wanted whales. The superpod arrived at a beautiful spot along Whidbey Island called Penn Cove. That’s where Ted and his team, now with a bigger boat and a spotter plane, made their move. They surrounded about 50 Southern Residents, trapping them behind a net that stopped them from swimming back out into the open water. Other Southern Residents were still free to go. But they didn’t leave. Their family ties were too strong to abandon their relatives inside the nets. They stayed close. Lifelong family bonds make the orcas strong in so many ways—they support each other and share food and knowledge—but in this situation, with people wielding a net, those bonds also made the orcas vulnerable. The captors seized the opportunity to trap approximately 40 more. People came to see the orcas in Penn Cove, and for many, emotions shifted from excitement to dismay. They reported hearing sounds like the orcas were crying. Meanwhile, the captors were deciding which ones to keep for marine parks, trying to separate them out from the rest, and making transportation plans. As the days passed, at least five of the orcas got tangled in the nets. Unable to come up to the surface to breathe, they died. Ted’s team released some of the others but held on to seven young whales. One of those was a female orca between four and six years old, beloved by her L pod family. Her captors sold her for $20,000. She was initially named Tokitae, but when she got to the Miami Seaquarium, she was given the name Lolita and taught to perform for paying visitors. As I write this book, this orca is still at the Miami Seaquarium, the only captured Southern Resident orca who is still alive. For over half a century, she performed tricks twice a day. But people are speaking up for her, and the Lummi Nation has given her a new name, Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut. Many believe Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut is related to and possibly the daughter of Ocean Sun, the oldest living Southern Resident at the time of this writing. In the wild, Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut would have stayed with her mother for her whole life. “She still sings the Southern Resident songs,” says Tah-Mahs, a member of the Lummi Nation. “That she’s had the strength to endure what she has gone through for 53 years—in the tiniest tank, in the sun, nowhere near home, with no companion whatsoever of her own kind—just proves how strong she is.” J2 Granny was the ultimate matriarch and the unofficial queen of the entire Southern Resident community. Granny's age is debated to this day. She could have been anywhere between 70 - 105 years of age. Granny had a daughter named J12 Sissy. Sissy had two children - J14 Samish and J24 Canuck. Canuck was taken into captivity. He lived at Seaworld Orlando. The descendants of Granny's granddaughter, Samish, are all named by the Samish Indian Nation in traditional potlatch ceremonies. Granny died in 2016. The surviving members of Granny's pod include her great-granddaughters J37 Hy'Shqa and J40 Suttles, great-grandson J45 Se-Yi'-Chn, great-great-grandson J49 T'ilem I'nges and the newest member of the family – her little great-great-granddaughter J59 Sxwyeqólh. Sxwyeqólh's name means 'reason for hope child.' [image] Shachi, the new leader of J pod. Photo by Cindy Hansen I made a Southern Resident family tree. J pod matriarchs and their families Shachi, daughter Eclipse, grandson Nova, granddaughter Crescent Blossom (Shachi's sister, deceased), son Blackberry, son Mako, daughter Tsuchi, granddaughter Tofino Oreo, son Cookie, son DoubleStuf (deceased) Slick, son Mike, daughter Alki, daughter Echo, daughter Scarlet (deceased) Princess Angeline (deceased), daughter Tahlequah, son Moby, daughter Kiki, daughter Polaris (deceased), Polaris' daughter Star, Tahlequah's sons Notch and Phoenix Samish (granddaughter of legendary matriarch J2 Granny, deceased), daughter Hy'Shqa, daughter Suttles, son Se-Yi'-Chn, Hy'Shqa's son T'ilem I'nges and daughter Sxwyeqólh Descendants of J14 Samish are named by the Samish Indian Nation. K pod matriarchs and their families Skagit (deceased), daughter Spock, daughter Deadhead, son Cali, Spock's son Comet and daughter Prosper Sequim, daughter Sekiu, son Rainshadow, daughter Saturna, Sekiu's son Tika Sounder (deceased), son Sigurd (deceased), daughter Lea, daughter Opus, Lea's son Lobo, daughter Yoda, and son Kelp, Opus' son Sonata L pod matriarchs and their families Ocean Sun, daughter Tsunami (deceased), daughter Lolita/Tokitae (taken into captivity). Ocean Sun travels with an orphaned male named Mystery, two sisters Matia, and Calypso, and their families. L25 Ocean Sun is the oldest Southern Resident. Capella (deceased), daughter Matia, daughter Calypso, Matia's daughters Joy and Whistle, Calypso's daughters Cousteau, and Scuba, and son Windsong, Joy's son Ken. Ino, sons Coho and Keta. Wave Walker travels with this matriline. Sonar (deceased), daughter Ophelia (deceased), daughter Nugget, daughter Surprise, Nugget's daughters Kasatka, Lapis, Jade, and son Takoda, Kasatka's son Finn, Lapis' son Lazuli, Surprise's son Pooka and daughter Element Spirit, sons Skana (deceased) and Solstice (deceased), brother Onyx. Onyx changed pods several times since the death of his mother, Olympia. He was born into the L pod but traveled with several different matrilines from J and K pods. Older females took Onyx in and shared their wisdom and food, helping him survive. Racer, son Fluke Marina (deceased), daughters Moonlight and Muncher, son Mystic, Moonlight's son Midnight, Muncher's son Magic. Ballena travels with this matriline. [image] The late J1 Ruffles, the most iconic male orca of the Pacific Northwest. Photo by Scott Veirs. PS. It's been almost a year since Nora published her book. We lost Lolita/Tokitae. K34 Cali hasn't been seen with his family and is presumed dead. The Southern Resident youngsters – L126 Ken (named in honor of Ken Balcomb), L127, J59 Sxwyeqólh, K45 Prosper, L125 Element, J53 Kiki, J56 Tofino, J57 Phoenix, and J58 Crescent are the future of this endangered population. The future of the Pacific Northwest. [image] L25 Ocean Sun, the oldest orca of the Pacific Northwest. Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu ...more |
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it was amazing
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Summers in the Salish Sea are never boring. Jack's Summer Camp, adventurous Indy, and the naughty Butcher Boys are living proof of that. I'm not talki
Summers in the Salish Sea are never boring. Jack's Summer Camp, adventurous Indy, and the naughty Butcher Boys are living proof of that. I'm not talking about humans. I'm talking about killer whales. It sounds like a story out of a Hollywood movie, but it's not. Let me start at the beginning. [image] I dedicate my last review of 2023 to the Salish Sea - a magical place stretching from British Columbia to Washington State, including the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound (the site of the notorious 1970 orca captures). The region is home to over 8 million people (including the numerous indigenous populations), Southern Resident killer whales (fish-eaters), Transient killer whales (mammal-eaters), Dall's porpoises, Harbor porpoises, North American river otters, Steller sea lions, Chinook salmon, eagles, tufted puffins, murrelets, oystercatchers, and many others. Humpback, Minke, and Gray whales are most commonly observed in summer and fall. The biggest stars of the Salish Sea are undoubtedly the Southern Residents and their nemeses Transients. I will share three of my favorite Salish Sea stories featuring Transient (Bigg's) killer whales. None of this is in the book, but you know me, I love to overshare. [image] While the Iberian killer whales were busy sinking yachts, their Pacific Northwest counterparts spent the summer chilling (and murking seals and Minke whales). T137A Jack formed a camp - which locals and scientists have affectionately dubbed 'Jack's Summer Camp.' Jack spent the summer supervising three youngsters: his sister T137D Wright, T37A3 Spinnaker, and T37A4 Crinkle. Scientists have joked that Jack looked like a bored camp counselor babysitting the three energetic youngsters. By the end of September/early October, Jack and his sister Wright returned to their mom, Loon, and sister, Tempest. Spinnaker and Crinkle reunited with their own families. T65A5 Indy is the social butterfly of the Salish Sea. The 12-year-old Indy dispersed from his family at an unusually young age. He was only five when he left his mom, T65A Artemis, and siblings. Male orcas tend to stay with their mothers their entire lives. Indy didn't like the house rules and said F that I'm out. He occasionally visits his family but prefers to travel alone or with other unrelated pods. Indy loves playing with crab pots, which often lands him in trouble. A few months ago, he got entangled in crab pot gear near Saratoga Passage. A rescue attempt had to be called off when he freed himself and swam off, cool as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened. That's what happens when teenagers are left unsupervised. T65A3 Amir and T49A2 Jude aren't related, but they've known each other since they were babies. Amir is the son of the legendary T65A Artemis. He has two sisters, Ellifrit and Callisto, and two brothers, Ooxjaa and Indy (yes, THE Indy). Jude is an independent spirit, an adventurous thrill-seeker like Indy. He'd rather travel with his male friends than hang out with his mom. Whoever said male killer whales are the ultimate mama's boys has never met Jude and Indy. Amir and Jude linked up in the summer of 2022, and according to the onlookers, the two teenagers had a blast. The gruesome twosome wreaked havoc on the local seal population, thus earning the nickname 'the Butcher Boys.' ...more |
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| May 06, 2014
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really liked it
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Dr. White named her Tokitae, which in the Chinook language means 'Bright day, pretty colors.' The Miami Seaquarium renamed her Lolita after the heroin
Dr. White named her Tokitae, which in the Chinook language means 'Bright day, pretty colors.' The Miami Seaquarium renamed her Lolita after the heroine of Vladimir Nabokov's novel. Lummi Nation, who consider the Southern Resident orcas their relatives, named her Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, which means 'daughter of Sk'aliCh'elh.' Sk'aliCh'elh is the name of a village on Penn Cove where she last saw her family. 57-year-old Lolita, or Toki, as she is affectionately called, passed away on August 18th. She was the last surviving Southern Resident in captivity. She was a member of the L pod and the presumed daughter of L25 Ocean Sun, who is still alive and over 90 years old. This beautiful whale touched the hearts of many with her gentle nature and unbreakable spirit. Children. Adults. Scientists. Environmentalists. Philanthropists. Activists. Orca enthusiasts. Lummi Nation. People from all over the world. They were all united in one goal: to relocate Lolita to a sea sanctuary in her home waters of the Salish Sea. Sadly, she died before the plans were finalized. Lolita's remains were cremated and flown to Bellingham, Washington, where they were delivered to the Lummi Nation tribe. In a way, Lolita DID come home. It was not in the way we wanted, but she came home. Several ceremonies were held in her honor. I am incredibly touched by the love people had for her. Her memory lives on. Salmon-eating Southern Residents are very family-oriented. Both males and females stay with their mothers their whole lives. Lolita/Tokitae never forgot her family's calls. For decades and decades, while being imprisoned in the world's smallest orca tank, she continued to make L pod's unique vocalizations. Songs her mother taught her. This isn't in the book. It's something I had to write. Toki deserves to be remembered. I'm sure James Herriot wouldn't have minded. For more information, visit my blog: https://mermaidmusings7.tumblr.com All Creatures Great and Small is a lovely book. It's a must-read for animal lovers. Mr. Herriot is one of my heroes, along with Jane Goodall, Ingrid Visser, Alexandra Morton, Eva Saulitis, and Monika Wieland Shields. His intelligence, kindness, and humor shine through on every page. “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” This is such a feel-good book. It's much more uplifting than I expected. The storytelling is *chef's kiss.* Yet what made him trail down that hillside every day in all weathers? Why had he filled the last years of those two old horses with peace and beauty? Why had he given them a final ease and comfort which he had withheld from himself? It could only be love. I've encountered many animal species in my life. I've been surrounded by cats and fish all my life. It sounds weird, but it's true. My mom has always been obsessed with cats, I've always been into fish, and my dad had no choice but to go along with it. It's hard to pick my favorite species. Great white sharks, orcas, cats, squirrels, and bunnies are probably at the top of the list. I'll quit yapping and show some of my pictures. Best pet I ever had: [image] Where the wild things are: [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] ...more |
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it was ok
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Jaws is currently not having a good time. He is being hunted mercilessly by Port and Starboard. I am not joking. Two South African killer whales, Port a Jaws is currently not having a good time. He is being hunted mercilessly by Port and Starboard. I am not joking. Two South African killer whales, Port and Starboard, have been killing great white sharks like they owe them money. Great whites are washing up on beaches without livers. How Hannibal Lecter of them. And it's not just the great whites they've been targeting. They will kill every shark they can get their What has been happening with the orcas lately? Killing great white sharks, sinking rich people's yachts... Orcas are going wild, and the internet loves it. [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] No humans were harmed. For whatever reason, the Iberian orcas seem to have a personal vendetta against certain types of boats. This book has been bothering me for a long time. It's decently written and somewhat interesting. So why do I dislike it? Because it's speculative, overdramatic, and sensationalized. I hate this kind of journalism. Let's begin with the blurb. when a rogue Great White shark attacked swimmers along the New Jersey shore. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A ROGUE GREAT WHITE SHARK. That theory has been disproven years ago. Why are you like this? Close to Shore is about The Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the story. A shark (or sharks) attacked five people over the span of twelve days. It sounds similar to Jaws, doesn't it? Peter Benchley based his hit novel on the Jersey Shore attacks. He later regretted writing Jaws and dedicated his life to shark conservation. The identity of the culprit is still debated. Some say it was Carcharodon carcharias, aka the infamous great white shark. Others claim it was a bull shark. I'm not saying it was a bull shark, but it was a bull shark. Three of the five attacks happened in a freshwater creek. Bull sharks are the most aggressive shark species in the world. They have the highest testosterone levels in the animal kingdom. They can survive in saltwater as well as freshwater. They're, however, not as cool as great white sharks. People don't want to read a book about bull sharks, they want to read about great white sharks. Thanks a lot, author. It's possible it was a great white. It's possible it was more than one shark. We'll never know. So why does this book exist? Hollywood has portrayed sharks as aggressive, blood-thirsty monsters. I like shark movies. I shouldn't, but I do. Jaws is one of my all-time favorite movies. I like Deep Blue Sea, Open Water, The Reef, and 47 Meters Down. Sharknado, The Meg, and Jaws: The Revenge made me question the director's sanity. Ok, I admit, Sharknado was kind of fun in a shut-off-your-brain way. Real-life sharks aren't mindless eating machines. Are they dangerous? Yes, of course. Sharks are apex predators. They should be feared and respected, not demonized. Great white sharks have it rough. They have to deal with liver-eating orcas, poachers, and bad writers. And Steven Spielberg. They deserve a respite. Did I enjoy the book? No. Did I enjoy the last chapter? Yes. Indeed, by the twenty-first century, Carcharodon carcharias had assumed a new status as magnificent yet misunderstood sea creature, rare and accidental killer of man, and endangered species protected by the laws of numerous countries, including the United States. So radical was the change in attitude that in 2000 Peter Benchley pleaded with Australians not to destroy a great white that had killed a young swimmer. “This was not a rogue shark, tantalized by the taste of human flesh and bound now to kill and kill again. Such creatures do not exist, despite what you might have derived from Jaws. . . . Let us mourn the man and forgive the animal, for, in truth, it knew not what it did.” Still, in an era of fisheries that would eradicate it, science that would plumb all its mysteries, and global media that would reveal its every move, the great white endures in the depths where it has always reigned: in cautionary tales told by mothers and fathers, in whispers in the unconscious, in offshore shadows, and in ripples on a tidal creek. [image] Book recommendation: The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks by Susan Casey. ...more |
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really liked it
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Of Orcas and Men is a lovely book about the ocean's most intelligent and successful predator. Orcas have the most gyrified brain on the planet (the mo
Of Orcas and Men is a lovely book about the ocean's most intelligent and successful predator. Orcas have the most gyrified brain on the planet (the more wrinkled the brain, the more information it can handle). It is often said that orcas are our oceanic counterparts. These magnificent mammals live in close family units. Each pod has its own unique dialect, and each ecotype feeds on different prey. They are capable of a remarkable amount of empathy and grief. If you want evidence of emotion in animals, look no further than J35 Tahlequah. This grief-stricken Southern Resident made worldwide headlines when she was spotted carrying her dead calf for 17 days. The orcas were well known to the Native Americans who occupied the Northwest Coast. They shared these waters and the fish that swam in them. Harming orcas was universally taboo for these people. While many of these tribes avidly hunted humpback and fin whales, it was considered bad medicine to injure or kill a “blackfish,” who at the least was a harbinger of plentiful fish and often much more. It was widely believed that if one killed an orca, its family would wreak vengeance on you and your kinsmen the next time you took to the water. Orcas were not mere beasts, but the people who lived under the sea. Most of these tribesmen believed in a realm parallel to ours occupied by spirits, many of whom were people who lived in spirit villages rather resembling the natives’ own large cedar dwellings. Foremost among these spirits were the killer whale people, whose powers were immense and far-reaching. This was why so many tribes claimed the killer whales as their spiritual totem and carved the creature’s likeness into their totem poles and family crests. According to the myths of the Kwakwaka’wakw tribes of northern Vancouver Island, the first men were killer whales who came to shore, transformed into land creatures, and then forgot to go back. Some of their tribal elders claimed direct descent from killer whale tribes. Their word for killer whale, Max’inuxw, means “the ones who hunt.” In this mythology, the killer whale is the lord of the underwater realm. His house can be reached by four days’ journey out to the open sea, and his village is at the head of a long narrow inlet. “Our people have a great respect for the whales, because our belief is that they are our ancestors. They come and visit us, usually, at the beginning of a potlatch, if the family is descended from the whales, the Max’inuxw, the killer whale. Also, it’s a dance in the potlatch. Living on the island, they don’t show up every day, but when they do show up, we’re like tourists, too. We’re excited to see the ancestors. And when you see the dorsal fins, when the big dorsal fin comes out, and we know how old they are? It is just exciting to see, because it’s so massive. And there’s usually a pod—there’s usually not just one whale. So you see a whole family of whales, and it just makes you all excited.” [image] Keiko with his trainer Of Orcas and Men is one of the most interesting non-fiction books on the market. I think the author did a satisfactory job with the book. I'll touch upon some of the things he missed. Like humans, orcas possess a high amount of ruthlessness. They like to slap seals and stingrays for no other reason than because they can. A badass pair of orcas in South Africa has been killing great white sharks and eating their livers like it's going out of fashion. It's no wonder these aquatic assassins are known as Orcinus Orca, which comes from the Latin word 'Orcinus' meaning 'kingdom of the dead.' Orcas live in matriarchal societies. Females go through menopause. Yes, you read it correctly. That's how I justify the species' questionable behavior. THE ORCA DIDN'T MEAN TO BITCH SLAP THAT STINGRAY; SHE WAS JUST MENOPAUSAL. Different ecotypes never socialize, nor do they interbreed. Southern Residents, the best-studied orca ecotype in the world, share their home waters with the Transients. They inhabit the waters of Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and British Columbia. The two groups are the oceanic equivalent of the Montagues and Capulets. The fish-eating fun-loving Southern Residents can't stand the stealthy, hardcore mammal-eating Transients. Would you still talk to your neighbors if you witnessed them chowing down on a baby seal or humpback calf? [image] Tilikum at Seaworld Orlando Keiko, the friendly Icelandic star of Free Willy, captured the hearts of millions of viewers across the world. Tilikum, the tragic subject of the Blackfish documentary, killed two trainers and a trespasser. (I've written about him in my review for Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity) Shamu was a member of the J Pod. Her mother was harpooned and killed in front of her. Shamu's name was immortalized in 1965 when she arrived at Seaworld San Diego. The young Southern Resident died in 1971, but her name lives. J2 Granny was the most legendary orca of the Pacific Northwest. She was the ultimate matriarch and the unofficial queen of the entire Southern Resident community. The iconic matriarch died in 2016. Scientists estimate Granny was between 80 and 105 years old. Granny's surviving family includes great-granddaughters Hy'Shqa and Suttles, great-grandson Se-Yi'-Chn, great-great-grandson T'ilem I'nges, and great-great-granddaughter Sxwyeqólh. J35 Tahlequah, daughter of J17 Princess Angeline and member of the J pod of the Southern Resident orcas, made worldwide headlines when she was spotted carrying her dead calf for 17 days. The female calf died a few hours after delivery. The grieving mother refused to let go of her baby. Corky, Seaworld's oldest orca, will never be reunited with her wild Northern Resident relatives - younger sister Ripple, younger brother Fife, niece Midsummer, great-niece Eliot, and great-nephews Fern and Ne'nakw. The A5 pod A23 matriline swims in the deep, cold waters of British Columbia, unaware of Corky's existence. Sweet-tempered Corky, Seaworld's only full-blooded Canadian orca, is often abused by her Icelandic tank mates. She has raised many orphans, including Orkid, Seaworld's smartest orca and the daughter of her nemesis. (I can't get into details, this review is already too long. If you're interested in Corky's story, read my review for Listening to Whales: What the Orcas Have Taught Us) [image] Corky and her trainer at Seaworld San Diego Luna was born in 1999 in Puget Sound, Washington. He was born into the L pod (Lolita's pod). For reasons unknown, Luna got separated from his pod. He appeared in Nootka Sound, British Columbia, in 2001 when he was only two years old. The lonely young orca actively sought out human companionship. He was often seen playing with people and dogs. The more accustomed Luna became to people, the smaller his chances were of ever reuniting with his family. Researchers wanted to bring him back to his pod. Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations saw him as the reincarnation of their former chief. They were against any kind of intervention. Sadly, his life was cut short when he was accidentally struck by a boat propeller. He was six years old. (There's a documentary about Luna called The Whale, made in 2011, produced and narrated by Ryan Reynolds) Lolita, the lonely, sweet-natured Southern Resident, still elicits strong emotions 53 years after her violent capture in the waters of Penn Cove; near Puget Sound, Washington State. Lolita, also known as Tokitae and Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, has spent over half a century in the smallest orca tank in the world. She will never be reunited with her 95-year-old mother, L25 Ocean Sun. Despite protests by activists, experts, and the Lummi Tribe calling for Lolita's release, she remains imprisoned. Lolita's wild older sister Tsunami died in 1982. Pacific Northwest's favorite celebrities – the J, L, and K pods, return to Puget Sound each summer and fall. Ocean Sun, Tahlequah, Shachi, Eclipse, Hy'Shqa, Onyx, and others socialize, play, and feed on Chinook salmon. It's a joyous and emotional occasion for scientists, students, locals, and whale watchers alike. We went from fearing them, shooting at them, capturing their babies, to worshipping them. Humans are truly bizarre creatures. What do the whales think of us? [image] Lolita with one of her trainers On our second visit to Sea World, we bought tickets for Fiona and her mom to go to the exclusive “Dine With Shamu” luncheon, where trainers bring whales up close to the tables where you’re noshing and give you a good look. The whale Fiona got to see up close was none other than Corky. I asked her afterward if she was excited to meet Corky up that close. She seemed noncommittal. Her mom told me that she seemed more taken aback than anything. “There was something disturbing about it,” she said. Later that summer, we had our close encounter with orcas in the wild. That evening in camp, I asked Fiona if she had thought about those orcas at Sea World after seeing these in the wild. She said she had. I asked what her thoughts were. She paused for only a moment. “They should let them go,” she said. Even a three-year-old could see it. [image] Lolita's mom, L25 Ocean Sun, oldest Southern Resident orca I have to give a shout-out to my girl, Springer. A73 Springer is the only orca to be successfully rehabilitated back into the wild. However, she was under human care for only a short period. Springer was first spotted as a calf in January 2002 in Washington's Puget Sound, miles and miles from her home waters. She was riddled with disease and emaciated. Scientists identified her by examining her vocal calls and eye patch. They discovered she was the daughter of A45 Sutlej. Sutlej was a Northern Resident and member of one of the most famous killer whale families in British Columbia. Sutlej was the daughter of A24 Kelsey and A6 Strider and the granddaughter of A30 Tsitika (on her father's side). It is believed Sutlej died, thus leaving her little daughter orphaned and alone. Springer wandered around Puget Sound, often coming dangerously close to boats. After much debate, it was decided she was to be captured, rehabilitated, and relocated back home to British Columbia. She was carefully captured and moved to a sea pen in Manchester, Washington. There, she began her month-long rehabilitation process. The staff was careful to keep their presence to a bare minimum. Live salmon was injected with medication and released into her pen through a slide. They devised creative ways to keep her entertained, which would not include human interaction. Once she regained her health, they transported her to Johnstone Strait, British Columbia. Her release was carefully timed with the arrival of her mother's pod. When her extended family approached her pen, Springer began making loud vocalizations. When she was released, she took off with a live fish in her mouth, presumably to share with her relatives. At first, she was timid, trailing behind the pod. Not long after, she was accepted into the pod. A few years ago, Springer formed her own pod, which consists of her and her two children, Spirit and Storm. This year marked the 21st anniversary of her successful release. [image] A73 Springer's rescue At Miami Seaquarium, they’re self-assured that they are doing the right thing for Lolita. Certainly, they deserve credit for having maintained her health well for all these years, although the whale herself also deserves much of the credit for that, too. Nearly everyone who comes in contact with her comes away impressed with her immense internal strength and patience. I was deeply moved by the mutual affection she clearly shared with her trainers. Still, it’s unlikely a child will watch a Lolita show, a glitzy affair with leaping dolphins and Lolita’s playful stunts, and come away knowing much relevant about the animal beyond basic physiology. Even the Seaquarium’s public-relations director admits the show won’t tell kids where Lolita comes from, what life for orcas is like in the wild, what threats face her native L pod. Nothing they will have gleaned from the show would contribute to understanding the conservation issues orcas represent. But then, these are the kinds of facts that prompt children to ask uncomfortable questions like, “Why isn’t Lolita with her family, Mommy?” P.S. The new owners of the Miami Seaquarium are willing to release Lolita! If all goes well, Lolita will be relocated to a sea sanctuary in her home waters of Washington's Puget Sound. The project is still in its infancy. Lolita's tank mate Hugo died from a brain aneurysm in 1980 after repeatedly slamming his head against the wall of their tank. There's still hope for Lolita. ...more |
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| 2016
| Sep 20, 2016
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Orcas never fail to make me cry. I am far too invested in these brainy sea pandas. The orca’s big brain was bigger than he had hoped—five times the s Orcas never fail to make me cry. I am far too invested in these brainy sea pandas. The orca’s big brain was bigger than he had hoped—five times the size of a human’s and weighing in at nearly fifteen pounds. And this was from a young whale, not a mature adult. The brain was also more complicated than McGeer had imagined—more complicated than a human brain. Dolphin brains were impressive, but this brain was spectacular. *spoilers* Moby Doll, or the killer whale who changed the world as he is often referred to, was a male juvenile from J pod of the Southern Resident orca population. He was captured near Saturna Island in 1964 and died at the Vancouver Aquarium a few months later. The original plan was to kill a wild orca to use as a model for a sculpture ordered by the Vancouver Aquarium. The young orca was harpooned and dragged behind the boat for sixteen hours. Realizing the immorality of their actions, the hunters tried to ease his journey. Against all odds, Moby Doll survived the torturous voyage. It seemed the higher-ups had decided he was worth more alive than dead. People flocked to see him. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people in Vancouver to get up close and personal with a real-life monster. To the surprise of many, Moby Doll was neither dangerous nor monstrous. Moby Doll was almost dog-like with his docile and friendly nature. He captivated the public, and the perception of the ocean's most fearsome predator changed forever. The question is, was it worth it? Only a few decades ago, orcas were feared and loathed. People regularly shot at them. That changed in the sixties and seventies with the rise of aquariums and marine parks. Public perception of orcas and sharks evolved from hate to adoration. Where did these animals come from? It was a question nobody thought to ask. The brutality of the captures was unknown to the general public. Fortunately, the truth eventually got out. As a result, the business of orca capture came under heavy fire. The controversial practice was banned, but the damage had already been done. As the name Orcinus orca implies, it belongs to ‘the kingdom of the dead. Southern Residents, the world's most well-studied and iconic orca population, have been hit particularly hard by the captures. These fish-eating icons of the Pacific Northwest lost many of their members to the captive industry. Moby Doll may have been the first victim, but he wasn't the last. Other notable names include Lolita, Shamu, and Hugo. Shamu, the first superstar of Seaworld, was born into Moby Doll's pod. Ted Griffin wanted a companion for Namu, a juvenile male captured from the Northern Resident orca population in 1965. Ted, a former aquarium owner, captured dozens of orcas during the 60s and 70s (he wrote a book about Namu that I wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole). Shamu was captured in Puget Sound, Washington, on October 31st, 1965. Her mother was harpooned and killed in front of her. Good ol' Ted underestimated the little orca's ability to hold a grudge. According to reports, she had conflicts with both Namu and Ted. Less than two months later, Shamu was sold to Seaworld San Diego. She died six years later of a uterus infection. Today, there is only one Southern Resident in captivity. The famous Lolita, a member of the L pod, also known as Tokitae (which means "Bright day, pretty colors" in Chinook jargon), is the sole survivor of the notorious Penn Cove captures that took place in the waters of Puget Sound, off the coast of Washington. Seven juvenile orcas were taken, and five drowned in the nets. To conceal the crime, the hunters slit open the bellies of the dead orcas, filled their insides with stones, and sunk them. A few months later, the bodies washed up on the shore of Whidbey Island. The public was outraged and demanded a stop to orca captures. Human groups who find themselves hunting in the same territory are almost expected to fight. For the most part, regardless of the continent they’re on or their culture, it’s rare when they don’t battle over land or resources. But the orca culture is more ancient than ours and, apparently, more civilized. Killer whales don’t just share food; they share the same sectors of the seas without challenging each other to determine dominance. This is true for orca families found in every ocean in the world. But in aquarium tanks, orcas from different pods, and different parts of the planet, have sparred for supremacy or space. In these cramped quarters, the whales will attack each other—something they’ve almost never been seen doing in the wild. Orcas in the ocean don’t hurt each other, even though they’re certainly capable of it. Instead of attacking whales from other pods, when the Southern Residents meet, the groups perform a ritual that may date back a million years. They approach, posture, pass each other, and then—for lack of a better word—they dance. Certainly from a human’s viewpoint, the militaristic ritual appears to shift into a celebration. The older females who lead each of the clans cluster and, despite the difference in their dialects, appear to discuss... something. [image] Killer whales have also helped humans hunt. In North America and Australia, there are stories of orcas herding fish—and even other whales—to make it easier for fishermen to catch them. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, orcas near Eden, Australia, would drive humpback whales into an area known as Twofold Bay in exchange for their favorite pieces of meat—the tongue and the lips. This working relationship where the killer whales worked as whale killers for more than a hundred years was referred to by local fishermen as “the law of the tongue.” According to the Eden Killer Whale Museum, “In the early years of Eden whaling in the 1840s there were reportedly around 50 killers spread through 3 main pods. All three pods cooperated together. One pod stationed far out to sea would drive whales in towards the coast, another pod would attack the whale and another pod would be stationed ahead of the whale in case it broke loose.” The whale believed to be the leader was a twenty-two-foot, thirteen-thousand-pound killer the whalers named Old Tom. After a humpback had been trapped, Tom would alert the whalers by slapping his tail and repeatedly breaching (jumping out of the water and landing with a splash) to summon the humans to finish off the kill. There were also stories of fishermen falling into the shark-infested waters when their boats were swamped by a humpback and Tom and other orcas warding the sharks off and saving their partners’ lives. Orca captures were banned in the mid-70s, but only in North America. Places like Seaworld turned their greedy eyes towards Iceland. Many famous orcas were captured in Iceland, including Keiko, Tilikum, Katina, Kasatka, and Kiska. Almost all of the living captive orcas at U.S. facilities are Icelandic. Seaworld has created hybrids that don't exist in the wild (different ecotypes do not interbreed). One of their hybrids, Orkid, is considered the most intelligent of all captive orcas. But that's a story for another review. As for Lolita, she has been stuck at the Miami Seaquarium for 53 years. Despite countless protests organized by animal lovers and the Lummi Nation (who see her as a member of their tribe), Lolita remains imprisoned in the world's smallest orca tank. Her wild relatives return to Washington State's Puget Sound every summer and fall. Among them is L25 Ocean Sun, Lolita's 95-year-old mother. It is a joyous occasion that researchers, whale watchers, and locals look forward to every year. All three pods – J, K, and L, come together to socialize, play, and feed on Chinook salmon. But it's also a sad occasion because Lolita is not among them. Southern Residents went from being hunted to becoming Washington's most beloved celebrities. This endangered population faces many challenges, such as food shortage, pollution, underwater noise, and vessel disturbance. There are only 73 individuals left in the wild. Moby Doll's pod, the J pod, lost its long-living matriarch J2 Granny in 2016. Granny's great-granddaughter J37 Hy'Shqa gave birth to a female calf J59 Sxwyeqólh in 2022, bringing hope to the endangered population. Lolita remains at Miami Seaquarium, swimming aimlessly in her tiny tank. Her only companions are a pair of pacific white-sided dolphins (with whom she doesn't get along) and humans in wetsuits. She has spent half a century in an illegal tank, devoid of the companionship of her species. The only captive orca older than Lolita is Corky, the last living captive Northern Resident, held at Seaworld San Diego (check out Alexandra Morton's book Listening to Whales: What the Orcas Have Taught Us). After spending years watching whales in captivity, Ford wanted to record wild whales and set out to meet the Northern Residents. Then, in the fall of 1978, he took a trip to the mouth of the Fraser River to record Southern Residents for the first time. “I put the hydrophone on the side of the boat, and I was recording the sounds, and they all sounded pretty alien to me, because the dialects are very different from the Northern Residents, which I had started becoming familiar with, and then, all of the sudden, in the middle of these calls, is the one I remembered so vividly from the Moby Doll tapes. I realized, in that moment, that this was the pod Moby Doll must have come from. It was J pod.” Ford was hearing the sad voice that had haunted him— Moby’s voice. Even to an untrained ear, modern J pod calls sound like the cries of Moby Doll. Fifteen years after Sam Burich harpooned the young whale off East Point, Ford found Moby’s family, perhaps even found the same whales who had lifted their pod member to the surface to keep him from drowning, the whale who stayed with Moby for the long journey to Vancouver and kept calling to him from the wild. The whales who visited the pen in Jericho the day Moby died. The discovery was a revelation. Ford hadn’t just found Moby’s family; because he recognized Moby’s voice, he had discovered her language and evidence of orca culture. [image] We now know that killer whales are one of the very few mammalian species that can learn new sounds and reproduce them. Dogs and cats, for example—there’s not a chance you could teach a dog to meow or a cat to bark. It’s a very rare ability to learn sounds and reproduce them. We can do it, as humans. Some primates can. Some of the whales can. The calls Moby Doll made in 1964—we still hear today from his kin group that still exists out there. If all roads lead to Rome, all oceans lead to Moby Doll. People had considered this the most fearsome creature on the planet. The most vicious. The most predatory. Without any rivals. It could beat anything in the ocean, so, therefore, it qualified as the most feared of all beasts. Totally wrong. So I guess Moby Doll changed the world’s attitudes towards killer whales. Instead of seeing a killer—a savage monster like Moby Dick—the world met a cuddly companion, Moby Doll. Just as Spong stopped referring to the whales as killers, so did the media and the public. Fishermen stopped seeing a worthless pest that ate their food and started seeing dollar signs. So did potential exhibitors. The story of Moby Doll became the story of Namu, Shamu, Skana and all the other killer whales who were transformed into unwilling circus performers. For a long time, humans have wondered about the possibility of intelligent life on other planets while ignoring the intelligent life on this one. Orcas have a language and a culture that predates ours, so how do we justify imprisoning them or, more importantly, destroying their habitat? It would be tragic if Lolita, who was taken from L pod at Penn Cove, Washington, in 1970, or Corky, the orca Spong has spent decades lobbying to return to A5 pod after being held in captivity since 1969, never saw the open ocean again—but it would be a crime against nature and humanity if there was no A5 pod or L pod for Corky and Lolita to return to. ...more |
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| May 24, 2016
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really liked it
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[image]
As he slipped off his motorbike and moved closer to the door, he noticed the padlock was missing. Lifting the grille, he stepped gingerly [image] As he slipped off his motorbike and moved closer to the door, he noticed the padlock was missing. Lifting the grille, he stepped gingerly into the dark, narrow space crowded with gurgling aquariums that cast a dim fluorescent glow. When his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw that the shop was tidy as ever, goldfish and guppies swimming idly in their tanks. Taking a step forward, however, his shoe crunched on broken glass, and he looked down to see a streak of crimson on the concrete floor. Blood led to more blood, tracks suggesting a wounded animal trying to escape on all fours. What the father encountered at the end of this grisly trail would sear itself in his mind, waking him in the night for the rest of his life: his sweet boy lying crumpled on the ground, stabbed ten times. He was dead—viciously slashed, his neck slit so deeply he was nearly decapitated. The old man began to shake uncontrollably as he stumbled outside, calling for help. But it was too late. The police would find neither a murder weapon nor a single fingerprint. The victim’s wallet was still in his pocket, contents intact. Only one thing was missing. Above Chan Kok Kuan’s lifeless body, the tanks of the Asian arowana loomed empty. All twentysome dragon fish were gone. I had several pet turtles as a child. None of them lived long (whether due to illness or my inexperience as a child, I don't know). We always had fish in our household (tropical and cold water). And we had cats. A weird combo, I know. That's just how we rolled, I guess. We had a few birds at various stages (I was never much of a bird person). Two German Shepherds. One I liked, the other I feared. Then there was our pet alligator, whom I often took on walks. Just kidding. We never did have an alligator. I wanted to, though. That's how I began my life-long obsession with fish, reptiles, and all things fluffy. I had a fish that terrified me. I dreaded every time I had to feed that creature. The Asian Arowana, also known as the dragon fish, is not something I would want in my house (not that I could afford it). There's also the fact that it's illegal to import, purchase, or sell them. But that hasn't stopped wealthy businessmen from acquiring these watery dragons by any means necessary. They are so coveted people kill to own them. Dragons. Conspiracy. Intrigue. Murder. Is this a non-fiction book about fish or an episode of Game of Thrones? [image] In Chinese, the creature is known as lóng yú, the dragon fish, for its sinuous body plated with large scales as round and shiny as coins. At maturity, the primitive predator reaches the length of a samurai sword, about two to three feet, and takes on a multihued sheen. A pair of whiskers juts from its lower lip, and two gauzy pectoral fins extend from its sides, suggesting a dragon in flight. This resemblance has led to the belief that the fish brings prosperity and good fortune, acting as a protective talisman to ward off evil and harm. They can grow up to 3 feet long (captive Arowanas tend to be smaller than their wild counterparts) with a price tag of over $300,000. They are very territorial and aggressive. An expensive fish with a bitchy personality that likes to jump? In the immortal words of Randy Jackson, that's gonna be a no from me, dawg. Several different types of Arowana can be purchased legally. I must warn you, though, these fish are not for beginners. They require a lot of care and attention – and not just the financial kind. Contrary to what some people may think, fish have feelings. Should these magnificent, willful, endangered creatures be kept in captivity? Is it morally wrong to keep large fish in tanks? There are no easy answers to those questions. Since arowana are naturally great jumpers that rocket out of the water to catch prey, they often leap from uncovered aquariums and are later found dead on the floor. Perhaps to rationalize the loss of such a substantial investment, hobbyists have come to imbue this behavior with a Christlike aura, suggesting the fish gives its life to save its owner. Several such anecdotes were posted around Kenny’s farm. One, called “The Lucky Arowana,” related how the fish of a rich Indonesian businessman vaulted to its death to prevent him from loaning a large sum of money to an untrustworthy associate (the businessman correctly interpreted his dead fish as a bad omen and reneged on the loan). But there are many others as well: the arowana that protects an apartment from fire or burglars; the arowana that breaks up a marriage by harassing the wife whenever the husband is out; even the arowana that kills—one man was said to have been found dead in a canal after skimping on fish food. [image] ...more |
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Feb 26, 2023
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| 9895621604
| 9789895621606
| B08NWB8FBP
| 3.55
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| Oct 18, 1851
| Jul 25, 2024
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My uncle took me fishing when I was a child. He did all the fishing while I just hung around, observing. During one such trip, I had a fishing rod in
My uncle took me fishing when I was a child. He did all the fishing while I just hung around, observing. During one such trip, I had a fishing rod in my hand but didn't want to catch anything. The thought of catching a live fish was unbearable. I was a fearful and imaginative child, prone to melodrama. And then it happened. I felt a strong tug on the rod. It was the worst experience of my life. I just stood there, frozen, unable to reel in the fish. My location felt like Amity Island, and the catch was no different from Jaws (I told you I was melodramatic). I was scared and felt sorry for the fish at the same time. Worst of all, people were staring at me. [image] It was not my destiny to be a master fisherman. I wish Captain Ahab had come to the same realization as I did. His pride ultimately led to his downfall. Moby Dick is the ultimate tale of man versus nature. What could be more formidable than a sperm whale, the ocean's largest predator? A being so powerful that not even the mighty orca, the ocean's most skillful killer, can defeat it. Who would dare hunt such a creature? Humans. [image] The name orca comes from the Latin phrase Orcinus orca, which translates as 'of the kingdom of the dead.' Great white sharks have the word 'great' as part of their name. Then there are sperm whales. Couldn't they think of something more dignified? I understand the reason behind their naming, but I still find it ridiculous. Dark humor - instead of calling them sperm whales, they could have named them waxy whales or oil lamp whales. Whaling was a highly lucrative business. Bloody and dangerous, but lucrative nonetheless. Told from the sailor Ishmael's perspective, the story follows Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, who embarks on a quest for vengeance against a giant sperm whale who maimed him. Ahab is a man who doesn't know when to quit. I would have noped out of there after the first encounter, but that's not Ahab. He's not like other girls. He wants to kill Moby Dick, no matter the cost. Despite the risks, Ahab's ego fuels his dangerous quest. He is consumed by his desire to defeat the white whale. I have mixed emotions about this novel. While I acknowledge that it's an important piece of literature, filled with metaphors and double entendres, it's not my cup of peppermint tea. Why was the whale called Dick? He's just swimming in the ocean, snacking on squid, sharks, and fish, minding his business. He sunk a few ships, but only because he was defending himself. Ahab is the 'Dick' of the story. I find the real story of Moby Dick much more fascinating than the fictional one. Moby Dick was inspired by a real-life white sperm whale named Mocha Dick, whose story is both fascinating and tragic. Is the ocean a harsh mistress, or are some people just foolish? My advice would be to check the weather forecast before going sailing, avoid hunting giant marine mammals, wear sunscreen, and listen to Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea." [image] ...more |
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it was amazing
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A fascinating look inside one of the world's most iconic species – the Southern Residents. [image] Southern Residents are the most widely observed A fascinating look inside one of the world's most iconic species – the Southern Residents. [image] Southern Residents are the most widely observed and researched orca population. They are known for their close family bonds - both males and females stay with their mothers their entire lives. They eat only fish, particularly Chinook salmon. Their range extends from Washington State and California to Oregon and British Columbia. The iconic Southern Residents are, unfortunately, critically endangered. They have low birth rates, which, combined with the scarcity of their favorite prey, Chinook salmon, landed them on the Federal endangered species list. The captive industry decimated this beloved orca population during the 1960s and 1970s. It is hard to know the exact number of captured whales. Estimates range from 45 to 50. Fifty-three years ago today, the most infamous roundup in the history of Washington took place. A large group of Southern Residents was corralled in the waters of Penn Cove, near Puget Sound, Washington State, on August 8th, 1970. Seven juveniles were caught and sold to marine parks. Five orcas drowned in the nets. Their bellies were filled with rocks to cover up the crime. Three months later, the bodies washed up on the shore of Whidbey Island. This event sparked a series of protests in Washington. Orca captures were banned in 1976. Perhaps it's my naive human perspective missing a lot of what goes on among them, but the whales certainly seem to resolve conflicts without violence; maintain camaraderie despite disagreements, and share grief without losing sight of joy. The Southern Residents have survived loss, declining prey, and changing group dynamics, not to mention living with their immediate family 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And they do it with grace, intelligence, love, and perseverance. *spoilers* 57-year-old Lolita is the only survivor of the Penn Cove captures. Her original name was Tokitae, which means 'Bright Day, Pretty Colors' in Chinook. Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation refer to her as 'Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut'. The stage name Lolita was given to her by the Miami Seaquarium. She was named after Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita. (how creepy is that??) Lolita is living in the smallest orca tank in the world. Her tank mate, Hugo, died in 1980 after repeatedly banging his head against the side of their tank. Lolita is a member of the L pod. It is believed that Lolita's mother is L25 Ocean Sun. Ocean Sun was seen again this summer in Washington's remote Haro Strait. She is over 93 years old! She lost both of her children – her younger daughter Lolita was captured in 1970, and her older daughter Tsunami died in 1982. She travels with L77 Matia, Matia's daughters L119 Joy and L124 Whistle, Matia's sister L94 Calypso, Calypso's daughter L113 Cousteau, son L121 Windsong, daughter L127 Scuba and an orphaned male named L85 Mystery. Southern Residents have many famous members. Some of the most well-known names include Moby Doll, Shamu, Lolita, Hugo, Granny, Ocean Sun, Ruffles, Mike, Tahlequah, and Luna. Moby Doll was captured from the waters of Saturna Island, Washington, on July 16th, 1964. Moby Doll helped change the public's perception of the species from vicious monsters to highly intelligent, friendly, affectionate beings. Shamu was a member of the J Pod. Her mother was harpooned and killed in front of her. Shamu's name was immortalized in 1965 when she arrived at Seaworld San Diego. She died in 1971, but her name lives. (unfortunately) I'm sure many of you have heard of Luna. Luna was born in 1999 into the L pod (the same pod as Lolita). He was born in Puget Sound, Washington. For reasons unknown, he got separated from his pod. He appeared in Nootka Sound, British Columbia, in 2001 when he was only two years old. The lonely young orca actively sought out human companionship. Luna loved playing with people and dogs. The more accustomed Luna became to people, the smaller his chances were of reuniting with his family. Researchers wanted to bring him back to his pod. Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations saw him as the reincarnation of their former chief. They were against any kind of intervention. Sadly, his life was cut short when he was accidentally struck by a boat propeller. He was six years old. Luna's story is eerily similar to another well-known case of a lost baby orca. Thankfully, Springer's story had a happy ending. There's a documentary about Luna called The Whale ((2011). [image] The Southern Resident orca community consists of three pods : J, K, and L. L is the largest, and K is the smallest. Each pod consists of several matrilines. I am fond of all Southern Resident pods. However, if I had to choose one, it would be the J pod. Its famous members include Shamu, Granny, and Tahlequah. J2 Granny was the most legendary orca of the Pacific Northwest. She was the ultimate matriarch and the unofficial queen of the entire Southern Resident community. Some scientists say she was 105 years old. Others say she was 80. Granny's grandson J24 Canuck was taken into captivity. He lived at Seaworld Orlando. Granny died in 2016. The surviving members of Granny's pod include her great-granddaughters J37 Hy'Shqa and J40 Suttles, great-grandson J45 Se-Yi'-Chn, great-great-grandson J49 T'ilem I'nges and the newest member of the family – her little great-great-granddaughter J59 Sxwyeqólh. J35 Tahlequah gained global attention when she was seen carrying her deceased calf for a remarkable 17 days. The female calf passed away shortly after birth and was named Tali posthumously. Tahlequah’s unwavering determination to hold onto her calf was only relinquished when, sadly, the calf began to disintegrate. This heartbreaking display of grief resonated with countless individuals worldwide. Southern Resident orcas remain with their mothers for their entire lifespan. Nowadays, Tahlequah is a devoted mother to her two sons - J47 Notch and J57 Phoenix. Following the losses of her mother, J17 Princess Angeline, and sister, J28 Polaris, Tahlequah assumed the role of “guardian” for her brother, J44 Moby, sister J53 Kiki, and niece J46 Star. One of my favorite matrilines consists of J-27 Blackberry, his sister J31 Tsuchi, brother J39 Mako, and Tsuchi's daughter J56 Tofino. The matriarch J11 Blossom died in 2008. Young Mako was raised by his siblings. The two brothers have a very close bond. Tsuchi divides her time between her brothers and females from other matrilines. She took great pleasure in being an honorary aunt to her friend’s calves and frequently looked after them until she finally had a calf of her own. Tsuchi went through five miscarriages and one stillbirth before finally giving birth to her mischievous daughter Tofino in 2019. I can't end this review without mentioning J19 Shachi, her daughter J41 Eclipse, grandson J51 Nova, and granddaughter J58 Crescent. Eclipse became the youngest confirmed Southern Resident mother in history when she gave birth in 2015, aged ten years. Female orcas typically have their first calf when they are around 14 to 15 years old. Nova would not have survived without the help of his grandmother. He is doing well, and so is his energetic little sister Crescent. Eclipse is Monika's favorite orca. Monika Wieland Shields is the president of the Orca Behavior Institute. She dedicated her career to studying Southern Resident killer whales. She is also doing groundbreaking research on mammal-eating Transients. There has been some progress since this book was published in 2019. J and K pod have had two successful births this year. J pod Granny's great-granddaughter J37 Hy'Shqa gave birth to a female calf J59 Sxwyeqólh, and K pod's K20 Spock gave birth to K45 Prosper (also female). Little K45 is K pod's first successful birth in 11 years. There is hope yet for Southern Residents. Consider L87 Onyx, the whale who has seemingly lost everything. He lost his mother, and then, for some reason, he left the L12 sub-group with whom he had spent every day growing up and started traveling with K pod. This was the first time a whale was documented changing pods. One by one, the females he grew attached to as surrogate mothers, passed away as well, and he switched again from K pod to J pod. Onyx has found a way to survive when many adult males don't after losing their mothers. He continually seeks out new companions, navigates the politics of changing groups, and still finds reason to play - regularly breaching, tail slapping, and his favorite - swimming upside down at the surface in what looks like pure joy. Consider J31 Tsuchi, a young adult female who has always loved calves. She often leaves her two brothers to hang out with families that have young ones, and I anxiously waited for her to have her own firstborn. When I saw the video in early 2016 of Tsuchi with her first observed calf, it brought tears to my eyes. She had given birth to a stillborn. The footage showed her carrying the body of her little one on her rostrum. We've seen this from grieving mothers and we know they sometimes take their lost calves with them for hours, days, or even weeks. My heart broke for Tsuchi that she had such a sad experience with her calf after finding such joy in the babies of others. Despite her loss, however, she spent the summer in the proximity of the other young mothers, babysitting and playing with their calves like always. I'm sure the Southern Residents have conflicts as any complex society must, but I can't help but believe these whales have a much more harmonious community than humans do. What would they think if they had any idea of the insanity we have created around them? Since their population has survived all the terrible things humans have put them through, I continue to look to the orcas for hope. If they can do it, maybe one day so can we. EDIT : Lolita, or Toki, as she is affectionately called, passed away on August 18th. She was the last surviving Southern Resident in captivity. She was a member of the L pod and the presumed daughter of L25 Ocean Sun, who is still alive and over 90 years old. This beautiful whale touched the hearts of many with her gentle nature and unbreakable spirit. Children. Adults. Scientists. Environmentalists. Philanthropists. Activists. Orca enthusiasts. Lummi Nation. People from all over the world. They were all united in one goal: to relocate Lolita to a sea sanctuary in her home waters of the Salish Sea. Sadly, she died before the plans were finalized. Lolita's remains were cremated and flown to Bellingham, Washington, where they were delivered to the Lummi Nation tribe. In a way, Lolita DID come home. It was not in the way we wanted, but she came home. Several ceremonies were held in her honor. I am incredibly touched by the love people had for her. Her memory lives on. ...more |
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| 0920501974
| 9780920501979
| 0920501974
| 4.30
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| Jan 01, 1990
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really liked it
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Alexandra Morton began her career at Marineland of the Pacific in California, where she analyzed the sounds of captive orcas and bottlenose dolphins.
Alexandra Morton began her career at Marineland of the Pacific in California, where she analyzed the sounds of captive orcas and bottlenose dolphins. There, she met the legendary Corky. (Corky was later transferred to Seaworld San Diego) Eventually, she chose to dedicate herself to studying Corky's wild relatives. Her continuous fight for Northern Resident killer whales and Canadian wild salmon is incredibly inspiring. Mrs. Morton is the Jane Goodall of the Pacific Northwest. [image] Siwiti A48 Siwiti was born in 1983 into the A4 pod of the Northern Resident orca community. She was born in the coastal waters of British Columbia, where she spent her early years exploring, playing, and learning. Her mother was A11 Yakat. Siwiti's lineage is quite famous. In 1983, a crazed boater shot her grandmother and her youngest calf. The leadership passed to her two daughters, Yakat and Kelsey. The two sisters became well-known in British Columbia. Yakat had four children : Skagit (A35), Skeena (A13), Siwiti (A48) and Nahwitti (A56). Kelsey had eight children, five of which survived into adulthood: A45 Sutley, A64 Schooner, A71 Magin, A78 Toba, and A94 Mystery. Siwiti, unfortunately, died in 1996. She was only thirteen years old. Yakat died in 2013 at the age of 55. Kelsey also died in 2013 at the age of 46. Many of these whales are now gone, but their legacy continues. The A4 pod remains one of Canada's most well-known and beloved killer whale families. Siwiti has a very famous second cousin, the one and only - A73 Springer. (If you're interested in Springer's story, there's a great video on youtube called Orphan Orca, Saving Springer Documentary) [image] Yakat and Kelsey with their children and grandchildren. ...more |
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| 0228102294
| 9780228102298
| 0228102294
| 4.41
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| 1981
| Aug 27, 2019
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really liked it
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Although that summer 1973 expedition was only the first of many to Johnstone Strait whale country, it stands out in my memory. It was a period of di
Although that summer 1973 expedition was only the first of many to Johnstone Strait whale country, it stands out in my memory. It was a period of discovery and excitement when I met for the first time the true king of the sea, the whale called killer. [image] Just an FYI… There are several versions of this book - the 1981 version, the 1990 version, the 2013 version, and the 2019 version. I'll try to make this as concise as possible. I tend to go overboard in my quest to spread information. Killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin family. They have the most gyrified brain on the planet, according to the gyrencephaly index. They have a highly developed paralimbic system (responsible for processing emotions). They are among the few species capable of recognizing themselves in the mirror, which indicates that they possess self-awareness. In the Pacific Northwest, there are three ecotypes of killer whales. Resident killer whales feed strictly on fish, particularly salmon. Transients hunt marine mammals. Offshore killer whales hunt sharks. I've always been a Transient/Offshore type of gal. I LOVE Southern and Northern Residents. I really do. But there's something [image] (credit to whoever made this) Killer whales have a fierce reputation – and deservedly so. Some sailors think of them as 'the assholes of the ocean.' Killer whales are apex predators, but they can also be kind and remarkably friendly. *spoilers* A marine biologist once observed three dolphins swimming with a pod of mammal-eating killer whales in British Columbia. A pilot whale calf was seen swimming with killer whales in Iceland. There have been numerous reports of killer whales saving people and dogs from drowning. A pod of killer whales, called 'Killers of Eden' worked with human whalers to hunt baleen whales. The leader of Killers of Eden was a male orca called 'Old Tom.' These events took place in New South Wales between 1840 and 1930. (Old Tom's skeleton is on display in the Eden Killer Whale Museum). Alexandra Morton wrote in her book, Listening to Whales : Years of Shamu shows have conditioned the public to think of killer whales as pool toys. Resident whales, with their matriarchal societies and fish-eating ways, dovetail nicely with that false image. The Transients, however, are nothing like Shamu. While they can be gentle and patient, these orcas are responsible for some of the most violent kills in the waterborne world. That doesn’t make them bad. That’s just the way they are. In the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, there are three distinct ecotypes : Resident, Transient, and Offshore. Killer whales are the ultimate mama's boys and girls. They live in close-knit matriarchal societies. In most cases, adult offspring never leave their mother's pod. The only time a young orca leaves its mother's side is to mate or socialize. That is especially true for the Southern and Northern Residents. If a male killer whale loses his mother, he will be 'taken in' by his sister, niece, aunt, or grandmother. If he doesn't have a close female relative, his chances of survival are slim. An interesting little tidbit - killer whales, pilot whales, beluga whales, narwhals, and humans are the only species on earth that experience menopause. Residents and Transients separated genetically over 750,000 years ago. They have different languages, food preferences, family structures, lifestyles, and rituals. Seaworld has created hybrids that don't exist in the wild. Kalina, the first 'Baby Shamu' was 50% Southern Resident and 50% Icelandic (North Atlantic Type 1). Her mother Katina was captured off the coast of Skarðsfjara, Iceland. Her father Winston was captured in the infamous 1970 Penn Cove (Washington) roundup. He was captured with Lolita (the last surviving captive Southern Resident and the second oldest orca in captivity). Kalina's son Keto killed his trainer Alexis Martinez in 2009. Reminds me of the line from Jurassic Park: 'Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.' And I use the term 'scientists' loosely here. [image] It was depressing. I didn't want to be there, and they sure didn't want to be there. At first, there had been some interplay. The bull was curious. As I swam along the bottom, he'd come over and have a good look, and occasionally, I'd follow him around, which he didn't seem to mind. But after a few months, when I went swimming, the whales would avoid me. They'd gone through a lot. I began to feel it was wrong to keep them captive, to put them in a situation, not of their own choosing, where, sooner or later, they are doomed." On July 16th, 1964, at approximately five years old, Moby Doll was captured from the waters of Saturna Island in Washington. The original plan was to kill a wild orca to create a life-sized, anatomically correct model for the aquarium's British Columbia hall. The fishermen decided not to kill the unfortunate young orca. They harpooned, shot, and dragged him to Vancouver. The voyage lasted sixteen hours (which is freaking barbaric). Moby Doll helped change the public's perception of the species from fearsome, vicious monsters to intelligent, playful, gentle giants. The resilient youngster died after 87 days in captivity. When Moby Doll was caught and while the pod waited on the surface some distance away, the harpooned whale uttered "shrill whistles so intense that they could easily be heard above the surface of the water 100 yards away." Ted Griffin, the aquarium owner and entrepreneur, saw dollar signs in his eyes. In 1965, he purchased a Northern Resident killer whale called “Namu.” Namu was 'accidentally' caught in a fishermen's net. He became the biggest tourist attraction in Seattle. Ted wanted to find a mate for his star performer. He captured Shamu from the waters of Puget Sound. The bull Namu had issued "loud, strident screams" regularly from his Rich Cove pen during his internment in 1965-66. At times, his cries were picked up by passing Puget Sound whales, who apparently returned the sounds. Shamu was a Southern Resident and member of the J Pod. Her mother was harpooned and killed in front of her. The traumatized little female orca was moved to Namu's pen in Puget Sound. The two didn't get along. Shamu hated Griffin and the rest of her captors. She was sold to Seaworld San Diego in 1965. She became the first superstar of Seaworld. Gradually, her health deteriorated, and she died of a uterus infection in 1975. Lolita, also known as Tokitae and Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, is the last surviving Southern Resident in captivity. She was captured in the waters of Penn Cove, near Puget Sound, Washington in 1970. She is held at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida. Her tank mate, Hugo, died in 1980 after repeatedly banging his head against the side of their tank. Members of the Pacific Northwest Lummi tribe are fighting to bring Lolita home to the Salish Sea. The Lummi Nation refers to the local orcas as Qwe 'lhol mechen, which means 'our relatives who live under the sea' or 'the people under the waves' (please correct me if I got this wrong) Lolita is believed to be the daughter of L25 Ocean Sun (born around 1928). She also had an older sister named Tsunami, who passed away in 1982. Corky, also known as Corky II, is the last surviving Northern Resident in captivity. She was captured in 1969 in Pender Harbour, British Columbia. Corky is the oldest orca in captivity. She is a member of the A5 pod, A23 matriline. Her mother A23 Stripe died in 2000. She had a younger brother, Okisollo, who died in 2001. Her pod currently consists of her younger sister Ripple, younger brother Fife, niece Midsummer, great-nephew Fern, great-niece Eliot and little Ne'nakw. Corky is held at Seaworld San Diego. In 1976, orca captures were banned in America. Marine parks shifted their efforts to the land of fire and ice – Iceland. Over 50 young orcas were captured from Icelandic waters and sold to marine parks across the globe (mostly Seaworld). Some of the most well-known names include Keiko (the star of Free Willy), Tilikum (the star of Blackfish), Katina (the long-reigning matriarch of Seaworld Orlando), Kasatka (the late matriarch of Seaworld San Diego, who had an 'incident' with her trainer in 2006, as seen in the documentary Blackfish) and Kiska (the last remaining captive orca in Canada). Russia is the only place in the world that still allows wild captures of whales and dolphins. They sell them to marine parks in China. [image] Famous Southern Residents (wild and captive) : Moby Doll, Shamu, Lolita, Hugo (there's a great video on youtube called Hugo's Story), Granny, Ocean Sun, Tahlequah (who made worldwide headlines when she was spotted carrying her dead calf for 17 days), Luna (there's a documentary about Luna called The Whale, narrated by Ryan Reynolds) Famous Northern Residents (wild and captive) : Namu, Corky, Tsitika, Eve, Sharky, Top Notch, Springer (the only orca to have been successfully re-integrated back into the wild) Famous Transients (wild) : Raksha and her five daughters – Tread, Akela, Sedna, Quiver, Sol, and granddaughter Tsakani. Esperanza, her daughter, and grandsons. Sidney, her son, and two daughters. Local celebrity Chainsaw. Lonesome George. Artemis and her children. Harbeson, the oldest male orca (he's over 60!) Famous Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 (captive) : Keiko, Tilikum, Katina, Kasatka, Kiska, Gudrun 166 wild orcas have been taken from the waters of Washington State, British Columbia, and Iceland. Of those 166 orcas, 32 were transferred to various Seaworld parks. Seaworld has owned 18 Icelanders (North Atlantic Type 1), 10 Southern Residents, 2 Northern Residents, and 2 Transients. Only five of those orcas are still alive today - Corky (Northern Resident held at Seaworld San Diego), Lolita (Southern Resident held at the Miami Seaquarium), Katina (Icelandic, held at Seaworld Orlando), Ulises (Icelandic, held at Seaworld San Diego) and Kiska (Icelandic, the last captive orca in Canada, held at Marineland Ontario). Lolita and Kiska live in terrible conditions. There isn't a cetologist on this planet who hasn't read Orca: The Whale Called Killer. This book was a game-changer. It still holds up. The older editions are quite dated. Make sure you have the most recent version of the book. [image] (Researcher comforts a bull orca stranded near Tofino in 1976) ...more |
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Aug 05, 2022
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| 1421446227
| 9781421446226
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| Mar 29, 2019
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did not like it
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Wow, that is one unintentionally ironic book title. Marine mammal trainers sure like to throw around the word 'believe.' [image] We've gone to the Wow, that is one unintentionally ironic book title. Marine mammal trainers sure like to throw around the word 'believe.' [image] We've gone to the moon, conquered Mount Everest, built the great pyramids, and created cars, airplanes, TV, antibiotics, and computers, yet we can't figure out that a 20 ft. long animal doesn't belong in a pool. I have nothing against Miss McBride. She has her opinions and I have mine. I wish I could buy what she's selling, but alas I can't. I'm not anti-animal wrangling. I am, however, pro-science. You can't hit me with the 'I train and feed orcas therefore we have a bond that can’t be broken' line and expect me to take you seriously. Finding Dory makes more sense than this book. Orcas are apex predators. People need to stop treating them like some sort of cuddly toy or pet. I don't think that's an unreasonable request. Sorry trainers, your aquatic subordinates don't love you. They tolerate you because you bring them food. [image] The author waxes poetic about her 'close' bond with Skyla. Let me tell you Skyla's REAL story. Skyla was born in 2004 at Seaworld Orlando to parents Kalina, the first orca successfully bred, born, and raised at a marine park, and Tilikum, the largest and most notorious orca in captivity. Kalina was separated from her mother Katina when she was 4 years old. She gave birth to her last child, Skyla in February 2004. Skyla was only 2 years old when she was torn from her mother and shipped off to Loro Parque, Spain. She was accompanied by her half-siblings Kohana (daughter of Takara and Tilikum, aged 4), Tekoa (son of Taima and Tilikum, aged 6), and Keto (son of Kalina and Kotar, aged 11). To say this young pod of orcas was dysfunctional would be an understatement. Kohana mated with Keto, who is her half-uncle, and rejected both of her calves. Keto killed his trainer, Alexis Martinez, in a clear display of aggression. Seaworld and Loro Parque tried to downplay the incident. This is how much marine parks care for their employees - they attempted to blame Alexis for his death (isn't this the same stunt they pulled with Dawn Bracheau?) Alexis did not drown. Keto pulled Alexis underwater and then rammed him with such force that he caved in his chest. He had a lacerated liver, severely damaged vital organs, and bite marks on his body. To borrow a quote from Matt Hooper, 'This is not a boat accident. And it wasn't any propeller, and it wasn't any coral reef, and it wasn't Jack the Ripper!' The author conveniently omits some relevant facts. Hundreds of captive orcas and four humans have died in the last sixty years. None of them died from old age. The numbers are easy to recite and stand in stark contrast to the narrative. Captive orcas are plagued with diseases, pumped full of antibiotics and anti-depressants, and forced to swim in endless circles in small tanks. Skyla died from blood poisoning at 17 years old (female orcas can live into their 90s). Kalina, also known as 'Baby Shamu,' died from bacteremia septicemia at 25 years old. Tilikum died of bacterial pneumonia at the age of 35. But hey, it's great Miss McBride still 'believes'. Another thing that's not mentioned in the book is - wild orcas can swim up to 100 miles in a day and dive to depths of 500 feet. SeaWorld San Antonio's deepest tank is 40 feet deep. They have 5 orcas – Takara, Kyuquot, Tuar, Sakari and Kamea. Seaworld San Diego's deepest tank is 35 feet deep. They have 9 orcas – Corky (the last Northern Resident and the oldest orca in captivity), Orkid, Ulises, Kalia, Shouka, Keet, Ikaika, Nakai, and Makani. Seaworld Orlando's deepest tank is 36 feet deep (the largest captive orca, Tilikum, was 22.5 feet long). They have 5 orcas – Katina, Trua, Nalani, Malia and Makaio. Marineland Canada has just one solitary orca, Kiska. She is often referred to as the 'self-harming whale.' Loro Parque has 5 orcas – Keto, Tekoa, Kohana, Adán and Morgan. Morgan (originally from Norway) was found emaciated and disoriented off the coast of the Netherlands. Her story is eerily similar to that of little orphaned orca Springer. Springer was successfully rehabilitated and returned to her relatives in Johnstone Strait. Morgan wasn't so lucky. She was shipped to Loro Parque, where she remains imprisoned to this day. She is often attacked and harassed by other orcas. Marineland Antibes has 4 orcas – Wikie, Inouk, Moana, and Keijo. Wikie is the world's first orca to be recorded copying human language. Mundo Marino has one orca – Kshamenk. To be honest I have no idea how many orcas are held captive in Russia and Asia. I've saved the worst for last. The ninth circle of hell, aka the Miami Seaquarium. Lolita, also known as Tokitae and Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut (this name was given to her by the Lummi Nation), has been held prisoner at Miami Seaquarium since 1970. Lolita is the last surviving Southern Resident in captivity. She has been living in the smallest orca tank in the world for half a century. Her tank is 20 feet deep, and Lolita is over 20 feet long. She hasn't seen another orca since her tank mate Hugo suffered a brain aneurysm in 1980 after repeatedly ramming his head against the edge of his enclosure. Was this mentioned in the book? Of course not. Marine park employees never talk about dead orcas. It's against the rules. There's just this one line in the book I wholeheartedly agree with - Trainers like myself have slipped from being people admired for their abilities to connect with killer whales, to being despised for keeping them 'prisoner' in concrete pools. She said it, not me. [image] ...more |
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