In this episode of NYK Experts Uncut, Dr. Jeff Ventre, former marine mammal trainer at SeaWorld explains how after seeing killer whales in the wild, he had a profound and life-changing revelation: he could no longer condone cetacean captivity. Jeff, co-founder of the advocacy group, Voice of the Orcas, has co-authored science-based articles, is featured in the documentary Blackfish, as well as in the book Death at SeaWorld. He is also the lead organizer of Superpod, the world renowned symposium on cetaceans that brings together experts and advocates from around the world every two years in the San Juan Islands.
Listen as Jeff shares his experience working at SeaWorld, which started only days after John Sillick, a trainer, was crushed by a killer whale. Throughout his eight years there, Jeff explains how he had the opportunity to work with all the species in their animal training department. Increasingly for Jeff, the appalling reality of life for the captive cetaceans began to dismantle the “happy animal entertainers” fantasy heavily marketed in the wildlife entertainment industry. He began to speak about these issues while still working at SeaWorld.
Jeff reveals the pivotal moment of change for him: In 1996, while still at SeaWorld, he accepted a temporary position in Orca survey with Ken Balcomb at the Center for Whale Research. During his time there, he saw killer whales in their natural habitat:
“It’s like going through a one-way door. Once you see them in the wild… swimming in straight lines with straight dorsal fins… there’s really no going back.” – Dr. Jeffrey Ventre
Listen as Jeff explains that killer whales and dolphins share similar health and safety problems in captivity. He describes the story of the young dolphin Celeste, who suffered immensely in captivity, eventually dying from malnutrition. Her death, Jeff believes, was a direct result from her social setup with an artificial pod because more dominant dolphins would displace her to the point that she would chronically regurgitate her food as a strategy to keep them at bay. Before she died, Celeste, in another incident of bullying by her artificial pod members, met with a horrific injury when a portion of her tail was lopped off when it hit a PVC intake pipe of the water filtration system. Jeff describes how she essentially self- amputated. The team at SeaWorld tried to sew it back on the best they could, but Celeste’s tail became necrotic, and she lived with that deformity until her death. Celeste’s necrotic tail is emblematic of the disturbing reality behind dolphin captivity for the sake of human entertainment and economic profit.
Kathryn then questions Jeff not only about the safety concerns for the animals, but also for the humans who interact with them, recalling the time she herself had a disconcerting interaction with a dolphin who was displaying aggression. She recounts how during a swim-with-dolphins program, the young dolphin grabbed on to her leg and would not let go, even when being recalled by his trainer. Jeff validates Kathryn’s concerns and describes how dolphin aggression toward trainers was a regular occurrence during his time at SeaWorld. Trainers get fluked, rammed, displaced, and dunked by dolphins on a regular basis, and due to the dolphins’ agility, they can pose even more of a threat to a human in the water than a killer whale, Jeff explains.
Next, Kathryn asks Jeff his view on the validity of cetacean captivity in the name of public education or scientific research. Jeff’s reply: apart from an exhilarating experience for the human, people leave these facilities misinformed about the animals. As for cetacean captivity for the purpose of scientific research, Jeff acknowledges that in its early days, scientists gained some useful basic information. But, he believes that with the growing knowledge and accumulated experiences of the poor health and shorter life span of many captive cetaceans, the best research is now done observing them in their natural habitat.
“ [It] is just so invasive this life they lead: from the drilling of the teeth, flushing out their mouths to masturbating the whales. This is definitely not the glossy-like dolphin, smiling, swim-with-dolphins image you have for cetaceans when you visit one of these places.” – Kathryn Sussman
Now you know!
Be part of the change:
- Don’t buy tickets to live dolphin attractions.
- Watch the documentary, Blackfish to learn more about the state of captive cetaceans.
- Attend Superpod7 in July 2020.
- Do your research before booking a trip or book with a responsible and animal friendly tour operator or travel agent.
- Explore options of up-close experiences from a reputable boat operator, or better yet, watch cetaceans from the land where some of the best views can be had!
- Look for local wildlife at holiday destinations, ex. geckos at a resort, and appreciate their beauty instead of participating in a dolphin entertainment program.
- Sign WAP’s group petition to try to get Expedia to remove captive dolphin attractions from their travel and sales: www.worldanimalprotection.ca.
- Share this information in your network.
Learn more
- Listen to our other podcasts in the Animals in Captivity series.
Learn more about the anti-captivity movement. Visit websites like Voice of the Orcas, The Whale Sanctuary Project.
I am very saddened that mankind will do anything for profit I mean anything