Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver Aquarium News 2014

I have always thought of False killer whales as difficult and exotic species to care for. I also think that they are kind of freaky, like space aliens (in a good way). Hopefully they can rehabilitate it. I hope it's not deaf or something.
 
Finding, rescuing and rehabilitating him or her for eventual release could be very fortunate for the aquarium at a time when its being attacked for keeping whales. If they can help the calf pull through and successfully release it back into the wild it goes to prove the value of the whale program. It has the best chance possible because the aquarium is extremely experienced with whales and porpoises.
 
Now questions are being raised if the calf should even be saved. On the one had I get the argument he is very sick with a low chance of survival it might seem kinder to put him down. And a lot is going into saving him that could be used for other animals. However even if he doesnt make it the data they are getting from him could be used to save others down the line. They will learn how to better care for a whale that young. They collect data. They will be able to share their experience with others around the world who deal with false killer whale standings more often that could save the life of other small calves. How do you put a price on what could happen in the future because of this experience? And as for the other animals they claim could be better helped with that money where is the evidence they aren't being helped? Even then if you are going to make the argument that nature should take its course that same argument can be used for all of the other animals the Aquarium helps. So what if a sea lion has fishing line wrapped around its neck. Let nature take its course. Walter the sea otter was shot and has been expensive to save shouldnt we have put him down. Where to you draw that line? Its cool to save the otters and seals but not a whale?

The aquarium is right to try. Much more can be gained from trying than just killing him, even if he dies or survives and must be kept in captivity. If people didnt try hard things they couldnt learn from their experience and improve the odds in the future.

CTV Vancouver: Concerns over rescue of calf | CTV Vancouver News
 
I agree with you TZFan.

Unfortunately the Aquarium(and other similar facilities) are now subject to the same kind of criticism that organizations like Planned Parenthood are subject to (you can think whatever you want about Planned Parenthood, I'm just using it as an example). Or maybe they were subject to this kind of criticism before, but it has exploded thanks to Blackfish (which I think is an irresponsibly made film for more reason than one). This does not bode well for respectful discussion of what to do with animals like this in the future.
 
Park Board Meeting

Vancouver Aquarium's captive whales to be reviewed at special park board meeting

There is going to be a special park board meeting to determine whether or not the Aquarium will be phasing out cetacean keeping.

This really is starting to feel a lot like the abortion debate, I can see some similar methods going on here. Like I said before, you can think whatever you want, I am just using it as an example. One method of trying to force them to stop isn't working, so they are trying to circumvent this and use another method of forcing them to stop.
 
Excellent on all fronts. Im particularly happy about the false killer whale calf. I know anything could still go wrong but hes heading on a good path that they can learn a ton from to help others. Thanks for sharing.
 
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