Global Captive Orca Population

The next step is euthanasia, if something doesn't change in the coming days. The employee contracts expire, because they were planning on the whales being out already. So when the day comes, they'll just euthanize Keijo and Wikie because the animals have to be off the premises. This, or the animals will be bought by WSP and stay there for years until a sanctuary is built (they'd die before that), which are both bad outcomes.
 
ZooApollo said:
The next step is euthanasia, if something doesn't change in the coming days. The employee contracts expire, because they were planning on the whales being out already. So when the day comes, they'll just euthanize Keijo and Wikie because the animals have to be off the premises. This, or the animals will be bought by WSP and stay there for years until a sanctuary is built (they'd die before that), which are both bad outcomes.
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And to make things worse if the whales do die, all blame will go to Antibes where in reality it was activist ideology and since again claimed more lives which could have been prevented. Naive people and extremist organizations I predict will then call for all whales in current facilities to be sent to sea cages (which may pollute out already troubled oceans and economy) to perish. When are ppl going to open their eyes? When are they going to think with their brains than their hearts? When are they going to hear from non-bias experts and positive experienced trainers/keepers? When are they going to realize the real plight of orcas? This is unacceptable and the zoo community need to speak up, if animal rights organizations speak loudly, so should we!
 
peruvianbirdie said:
And to make things worse if the whales do die, all blame will go to Antibes where in reality it was activist ideology and since again claimed more lives which could have been prevented. Naive people and extremist organizations I predict will then call for all whales in current facilities to be sent to sea cages (which may pollute out already troubled oceans and economy) to perish. When are ppl going to open their eyes? When are they going to think with their brains than their hearts? When are they going to hear from non-bias experts and positive experienced trainers/keepers? When are they going to realize the real plight of orcas? This is unacceptable and the zoo community need to speak up, if animal rights organizations speak loudly, so should we!
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In reality, we are a silent majority, but we should be loud. Animal activists are causing genuine harm to animals, and when/if Wikie and Keijo are euthanized, no one should be blamed but activists and activist groups.
 
ZooApollo said:
In reality, we are a silent majority, but we should be loud. Animal activists are causing genuine harm to animals, and when/if Wikie and Keijo are euthanized, no one should be blamed but activists and activist groups.
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Agreed it’s sadly aims to be a another Keiko case where activists and public thinks it’s the right thing when reality it’s harmful and the real unethical action being done.
 
Jambo said:
With only four orcas currently (including the newest calf) there's absolutely ruling Loro Parque's facility inadequate for two additional whales. And I have no idea why the dolphins are even relevant in this case, it's not like they're being displayed in the same space as the orcas.

Loro Parque have three large pools. Six orcas gives them two per pool which shouldn't be an issue - orcas are not a solitary species.
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It is clearly just an excuse. Spanish government probably just wants to avoid all the polemic around this situation, it could also be they are being pressured by activist but about that we don't really have any evidence (although of course the entire polemic is caused by the activist pressure)
 
LiSom said:
It is clearly just an excuse. Spanish government probably just wants to avoid all the polemic around this situation, it could also be they are being pressured by activist but about that we don't really have any evidence (although of course the entire polemic is caused by the activist pressure)
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Which at that rate, they should have said something BEFORE the transfer was actually moving forwards. Waiting til the last is honestly kind of a trashy move.
 
Great Argus said:
Which at that rate, they should have said something BEFORE the transfer was actually moving forwards. Waiting til the last is honestly kind of a trashy move.
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Yeah. Everything was ready in Marineland for the transfer. There's a video where you can see the trucks with the containers to transport Wikie and Keijo arriving to the park... Apparently CITES Spain just gave a negative report and government decided to deny the transfer... All very ******, I hope they try again due to the emergency to do this or otherwise I don't see any option here other than euthanasia.
 
I would be really surprised if they actually did euthanize all the animals they’ve been unable to transfer (2 orcas, 12 bottlenose dolphins, and a stellar sea lion). It would be horrible press for the French government. What I would say is more likely is them investing the minimal amount to keep the animals alive which eventually leads to their deaths due to the crumbling facilities (or the animals get sold to an association that also doesn’t have the money to care for them, similar the humane society being given responsibility over Keiko during that whole thing).
 
Or they could backtrack and send them to Japan, you know... since apparently the only thing preventing that from happening was the government, not the authorities responsible for delivering the permits.

The facility is small but decent in that there are 3 different pools, so the animals can be separated easily. And it won't start crumbling after 10 years... and they have the experience of the Kamogawa facility, which as far as I know never lost half their whales because of a change of diet...

They are desperate to get their hands on those whales, you can bet they will welcome all the other animals as well if that's the price to pay.
 
Yes. I also thought maybe they can just try Japan. French government said they don't want to send them to Japan but now that Spain doesn't accept them maybe they can change their mind? They don't really have much option... I don't think Japan government would put any problem at all and the parks will be happy to receive the animals (specially the orcas considering they were interested before for their breeding program)
 
I agree on Japan.

but what if— SeaWorld ended up being a hero in this story.. the irony. But, again it only makes sense at SWSD so mom and son won’t pod split
 
yahnih said:
I agree on Japan.

but what if— SeaWorld ended up being a hero in this story.. the irony. But, again it only makes sense at SWSD so mom and son won’t pod split
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I doubt it… if they were old possibly (like how they considered taking in Kiska and Tokitae) but otherwise no.
 
yahnih said:
I agree on Japan.

but what if— SeaWorld ended up being a hero in this story.. the irony. But, again it only makes sense at SWSD so mom and son won’t pod split
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I would be very, very surprised if Seaworld jumped in and decided to take on both whales.

SWSD can't receive any additional whales due to legislation, so they wouldn't be an option. They don't have the space anyway - Orlando is really the only option.
 
Jambo said:
I would be very, very surprised if Seaworld jumped in and decided to take on both whales.

SWSD can't receive any additional whales due to legislation, so they wouldn't be an option. They don't have the space anyway - Orlando is really the only option.
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theres an exception to the law for external transfers and transfers, especially under extreme circumstances, which is what Keijo and Wikie. So, I wouldn't rule it out -- especially with the Bjossa situation as a case study. and I think SWF would not be ideal, as they separate the males and females.
 
BlobfishBoy said:
I doubt it… if they were old possibly (like how they considered taking in Kiska and Tokitae) but otherwise no.
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I think SWF was the option as they were aging females. But, I can only realistically see SWC or SWT be the option, IF and only IF SeaWorld were to step in.

I think at this point, I know that LP is filing an appeal. If it fails, the only way I see it is France reversing their decision and sending them to Japan. From what I know, China isn't an option as they are not interested in the different eco-type.
 
yahnih said:
theres an exception to the law for external transfers and transfers, especially under extreme circumstances, which is what Keijo and Wikie. So, I wouldn't rule it out -- especially with the Bjossa situation as a case study. and I think SWF would not be ideal, as they separate the males and females.
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Even though SWF separate their males and females, from what has been said this has purely been a result of their social dynamics. So in the event SWF do acquire the Antibes whales, there's every reason to assume they will be kept together; at least as a pair together, potentially being introduced to one (or both) of the other pods.
 
Loro Parque has released a (new) poll for naming Morgans calf, this time it has not been deleted and it is the final results.
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Loro Parque also posted the meaning of the names with the poll.

Odin: Name of the supreme God in Norse mythology, associated with Wisdom, power and protection.

Teno: Iconic place in Tenerife, surrounded by nature and cliffs. It reflects the calf's Canarian roots and special connection to its birthplace.

Thor: Name of the Norse god of thunder, symbol of strength, protection, and bravery.

Drago: Refers to the ancient Drago tree, a symbol of the Canary Islands. It stands for life, resilience, and the magic of the islands, while celebrating the orca calf's Canarian origin.
 

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