Category Orcas

Jan 12 2024

SIGN: Free Kshamenk, the World’s ‘Forgotten’ Orca Living In Loneliness

Lady Freethinker

Kshamenk (Courtesy of Urgent Seas)

Sign This Petition

PETITION TARGET: Argentina’s Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries

Orca whale Kshamenk has been left to suffer in a tiny tank in Argentina’s Mundo Marino Aquarium for decades.

Recent aerial footage has revealed the horrifying conditions where Kshamenk has languished since his capture in 1992 – a murky pool barely big enough for him.

Kshamenk floats in the middle of the dark water, almost lifeless, according to footage captured by whistleblower animal advocacy group UrgentSeas.

This emotionally complex and highly social marine mammal, who needs space to swim and the company of fellow orcas, has been the only orca since his bonded mate died in 2000.

The shocking footage has gone viral, spreading across TikTok, X, and Instagram, according to Yahoo News.

“A campaign to outlaw his current captivity is gaining momentum in Argentina by local activists, so bringing awareness and sharing his story surely supports their efforts,” Phil Demers, co-founder of UrgentSeas, said.

Sign the petition to demand the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries in Argentina investigate Kshamenk’s conditions and immediately secure the safe rehoming of this orca to a reputable sanctuary where he can swim freely.

https://ladyfreethinker.org/sign-free-kshamenk-the-worlds-forgotten-orca-living-in-loneliness/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email

Dec 13 2023

Stop Pushing Majestic Orca Whales to Extinction – Animal Petitions

animalpetitions.org

Vincent Verse

Target: Governor Jay Inslee, State of Washington

Goal: Safeguard Washington’s endangered orca whale population.

In the waters of Washington, the orca whales, often referred to as killer whales, are currently facing an ominous and highly uncertain future. These magnificent marine beings have endured a litany of daunting challenges over the years, including the alarming decline in salmon populations, the degradation of their once-pristine habitats, the relentless disruption caused by vessel traffic, and the insidious infiltration of toxic pollutants into their delicate environment.

The cumulative effect of these threats is placing these awe-inspiring creatures in an increasingly precarious position, demanding immediate and concerted action to secure their survival for generations to come.

Efforts to address these issues have been insufficient to halt the decline of the orca population. Without decisive action, the Southern Resident orcas, in particular, remain at risk of extinction, with only a few dozen individuals left in their fragile community.

Sign the petition below to demand comprehensive and immediate action to protect cherished orca whales. Together, their survival must be ensured for generations to come.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Governor Inslee,

As concerned citizens, we urge you to take resolute action to protect Washington’s iconic orca whale population. These incredible creatures are not only a symbol of our state but also vital indicators of the health of our marine ecosystems.

The decline of the Southern Resident orcas is a distressing reality we can no longer ignore. To secure their future, we implore you to lead efforts to expand and safeguard critical orca habitats, ensuring their access to ample food sources. Let’s implement and enforce measures to reduce vessel traffic impacts, including speed limits and no-go zones while enhancing efforts to reduce toxic pollutants entering our waters, threatening both orca health and their prey.

You must advocate for comprehensive salmon recovery plans, addressing the orca’s primary food source.

Governor Inslee, the world is watching, and the orcas of Washington’s waters need your strong leadership to ensure their survival. We stand united in our call for immediate, meaningful action to protect these incredible creatures and the delicate ecosystems they depend on.

Sincerely,

Photo credit: Dennis Jarvis

https://animalpetitions.org/1258063/stop-pushing-majestic-orca-whales-to-extinction/#google_vignette

Jul 10 2023

Tell the Biden Administration to Save Endangered Orcas and Salmon by Taking Down Four Dams

The Biden Administration could make conservation history, and save highly-endangered Southern Resident Orcas and the salmon that they rely upon, by bringing down four dams on the lower Snake River that threaten these species’ survival.

Just 73 Southern Resident Orcas exist in the waters off the Pacific Northwest coast today. This species is primarily threatened by lack of salmon–their primary food source. These salmon are imperiled by the four lower Snake River dams.

The Biden Administration is accepting public comments through July 3rd. Please send your comment supporting dam removal today!

Tell the Biden Administration to Save Endangered Orcas and Salmon by Taking Down Four Dams

The Biden Administration could make conservation history, and save highly-endangered Southern Resident Orcas and the salmon that they rely upon, by bringing down four dams on the lower Snake River that threaten these species’ survival.

Just 73 Southern Resident Orcas exist in the waters off the Pacific Northwest coast today. This species is primarily threatened by lack of salmon–their primary food source. These salmon are imperiled by the four lower Snake River dams.

The Biden Administration is accepting public comments through July 3rd. Please send your comment supporting dam removal today!

https://p2a.co/uqqVmrV

May 22 2023

Killer whales are sinking boats off the coast of Europe in orchestrated attacks

notthebee.com

Orcas are highly intelligent and highly savage.

Off the Iberian coast of Europe, pods of killer whales are smashing and sinking boats — 3 down so far — in a crazy string of orchestrated attacks that scientists say were probably started by one angry whale whose actions have since spread to other orcas through learned behavior.

The killer whale boat attacks started in May 2020 and are becoming more and more frequent. There have been a bunch of them outside of just the 3 that ended in sunken boats — like, hundreds.

The experts who follow these things believe it was one crazy warrior orca named White Gladis that kicked off the violence. The killer whale apparently came to a point in its life where it decided that boats were its sworn enemy, and it started ramming them and trying to sink them. Eventually, others joined in. Then, other killer whales started mimicking them.

They think maybe Braveheart Gladis was hit by a boat or something, and it flipped the murder switch in her brain.

Check out these descriptions of the attacks that sunk the boats:

Three orcas … struck the yacht on the night of May 4 in the Strait of Gibraltar, off the coast of Spain, and pierced the rudder. “There were two smaller and one larger orca,” skipper Werner Schaufelberger told the German publication Yacht. “The little ones shook the rudder at the back while the big one repeatedly backed up and rammed the ship with full force from the side.”

Schaufelberger said he saw the smaller orcas imitate the larger one. “The two little orcas observed the bigger one’s technique and, with a slight run-up, they too slammed into the boat.” Spanish coast guards rescued the crew and towed the boat to Barbate, but it sank at the port entrance.

Can you imagine your boat just suddenly getting savagely attacked by a squad of freaking killer whales?

This the the craziest thing ever. Here’s another:

Two days earlier, a pod of six orcas assailed another sailboat navigating the strait. Greg Blackburn, who was aboard the vessel, looked on as a mother orca appeared to teach her calf how to charge into the rudder. “It was definitely some form of education, teaching going on,” Blackburn told 9news.

The killer whales are teaching their offspring how to charge and ram boats and try to sink them!

Reports of aggressive encounters with orcas off the Iberian coast began in May 2020 and are becoming more frequent, according to a study published June 2022 in the journal Marine Mammal Science. Assaults seem to be mainly directed at sailing boats and follow a clear pattern, with orcas approaching from the stern to strike the rudder, then losing interest once they have successfully stopped the boat.

To me, that is just the gnarliest thing ever.

Anyone boating out that way, watch out for roaming gangs of 7,500-lb murder machines!

https://notthebee.com/article/killer-whales-are-sinking-boats-off-the-coast-of-europe-in-orchestrated-attacks

Mar 16 2023

Kiska Dead at Marineland, Niagara Falls | Dolphin Project

www.dolphinproject.com

Post By:Cara Sands

Kiska, Marineland, Niagara Falls

10Mar

Kiska, the last remaining captive orca in Canada has died.

Earlier today (March 10, 2023), Marineland, Canada announced the orca’s passing, stating: “Marineland’s marine mammal care team and experts did everything possible to support Kiska’s comfort and will mourn her loss.” For the thousands of activists made aware of her plight, her death comes as no surprise.

In 1979, at approximately three years of age, Kiska was caught in the North Atlantic ocean. She was transported to a facility in Iceland, where she was housed with four other orcas, including Keiko, of Free Willy fame. The two orcas were later shipped to Marineland, Canada. Keiko would once again be sent to another aquarium, this time, to Reino Aventura in Mexico, while Kiska remained at Marineland for the duration of her life.

Kiska in her tank, Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada

Kiska in her tank, Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Between the years of 1992 – 2004 she would give birth to five calves –

  • Unnamed (born in 1992)
  • Kanuck (born in 1994)
  • Nova (born in 1996)
  • Hudson (born in 1998)
  • Athena (born in 2004)

– all of which are now dead. One of Kiska’s calves died so young it was unnamed.

Since 2011, she lived in solitary confinement. Her plight prompted activists around the world to call her the “world’s loneliest orca”. Eight years later, in 2019, Canada passed Bill S-203, Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, which would ban the keeping of cetaceans in captivity. Marineland, as an existing facility, was grandfathered in, and Kiska remained, alone, in her tank.

Kiska circling her tank, Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada

Kiska circling her tank, Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Over the years, visitors to the park would shoot video of Kiska circling endlessly in her tank, completing a sequence of repetitive behaviors. This would be her life, until the end.

“Kiska’s tragic passing marks the end of orca captivity in Canada forever. Let us remember her sacrifice for change. She was an amazing girl.” ~ Phil Demers, ex-trainer, Marineland Canada

Such sentience, behind that eye. Kiska, Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada

Such sentience, behind that eye. Kiska, Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Featured image: Kiska as seen from underwater viewing windows, Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Dolphin Project Take Action Now

https://www.dolphinproject.com/blog/kiska-dead-at-marineland-niagara-falls/

Sep 19 2022

Sign Petition: This Orca Had Nowhere to Flee As She Was Brutally Attacked. Shut Down SeaWorld!

www.thepetitionsite.com

An innocent orca has suffered a vicious attack in one of SeaWorld’s tiny, prison-like tanks. This is just another of the many types of suffering felt by marine mammals kept in cruel, unnatural captivity…and it needs to end.

Sign now to demand USDA shut down SeaWorld once and for all and send all orcas to seaside sanctuaries!

It’s believed that the victim of the tragic attack was Corky, a poor whale who has been trapped in captivity for over 50 years. Corky, who has already missed out on decades of free and autonomous life in the ocean, was forced to endure brutal violence because it is literally impossible to escape these encounters with other whales in such tragically small tanks.

Attacks like these are rare in the wild, in part because orcas have space and freedom to exhibit their natural behaviors. Wild orcas also are much less likely to suffer from uncharacteristic aggression and depression, which are extremely common in tanks like those at SeaWorld.In these tiny pools, whales don’t just develop distressing behavioral issues — they literally cannot physically flee from conflict, and are forced to socialize with other orcas that they may have otherwise avoided. In their natural habitat, orcas swim an average of 40 miles per day, often diving 100 to 500 feet multiple times in a single day. This movement is essential for their diet, for their exercise, and for their safety. How can SeaWorld possibly claim that these animals are safe while trapped in the equivalent of a water prison, cruelly suffering for human entertainment?We cannot wait any longer – the lives and well-being of whales trapped in captivity across the country are at stake. The USDA must shut down SeaWorld and bring Corky, and all orcas, to seaside sanctuaries! Sign the petition now if you agree!more

Sign Petition

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/923/121/836/?z00m=33082773&redirectID=3247145231