Friday 31 October 2014

Awesome Ocean - 3 Things You’re Not Supposed to Know About SeaWorld

doaqj

There are many areas of marine mammal facilities that are grossly misunderstood by radical activists but one of the subjects most often botched by these keyboard warriors is that of rescue, rehabilitation and release.
There are also many misunderstood by people who are NOT radical activists, try reading some of the posts on your Stand with Seaworld page to see that. 

Too often, social media announcements of such acts are met with outrageously misguided accusations suggesting that “rescues aren’t conservation,” that this is simply a ploy on SeaWorld’s part for better press coverage, or that even more ludicrously, SeaWorld is “imprisoning” wild animals under the “guise” of rescue and rehabilitation.
Do Seaworld give lessons on how to twist up information to try to cause confusion, as you must be top of that class!!  The posts I see state that rescues have nothing to do with those captives and that is because they don't!! 
Let’s set the record straight and head back to Rescue and Rehabilitation 101.
Yes lets
1. SeaWorld is under no financial or legal obligation to rescue/rehabilitate animals. They aren’t bound by law, they aren’t paid to do it, there are no "Powers That Be" ordering the company to funnel resources into costly, complicated and dangerous animal rescues. The cost of a turtle rescue alone, ONE SINGULAR TURTLE, can be thousands of dollars. Despite this, SeaWorld is the largest system of animal rescue and release in the country and they VOLUNTEER to do it.
That’s right, SeaWorld’s rescue and rehabilitation program is actually the world’s fanciest animal volunteer program, staffed partially by animal care employees and partially by rescue volunteers. The cost of the rescue comes out of the company’s pocket. They volunteer for their placement on the NOAA fisheries stranding and rescue list.
So do many other rescue organisations who also VOLUNTEER, and the majority of those are NON PROFIT too. What seems to be a presumption yet again is that people like me don't look anywhere else for information. Unlike yourselves who rely on Seaworld for your information or just miss bits out entirely, people like myself spend a lot of time on NOAA, because unlike yourself people like me don't see Seaworld, who lets be real have a business to protect as being all knowing and unbiased in their reporting of things. Rather than believe everything we are told we go to source to check it out for ourselves. You as in your last article obviously do not and mislead many others too, which is unfair to them, to Seaworld and to the likes of us.
And since we mentioned NOAA let’s clear some things up there too.
Oh yes lets as NOAA is a great resource

2. The government decides who rescues, rehabilitates, holds and releases animals. Not some evil corporate executive in a darkened office. Remember many of those you call are scientists who work with NOAA so that is common knowledge Erin. There is a very clear set of legal protocol that determines what animals are suitable for release. It’s a 114 page document called the Standards of Release, available online for all to see, No link?  and it completely shatters the myth that SeaWorld can hold any animal they want after rescue.
NOAA have a Rescue Release and Rehabilitation document here as once again you provide no links to anything, is there something you don't want people to read?
 
The government controls rescues and releases because the animals that SeaWorld rescues all fall under federal jurisdiction.  All marine mammals are covered under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and some, as well as sea turtles and some birds, are covered by the Endangered Species Act. The procedure for rescuing an animal goes something like this:

  1. Someone calls in a sick or injured animal to the National Marine Fisheries Service/NOAA
  2. NOAA examines their volunteer network in the area, and asks a facility to assist in the rescue (facilities CANNOT intervene without government approval.)
  3. After either rescuing the animal, NOAA will either request immediate relocation/release or order it sent to a particular facility
  4. Once the animal has been properly rehabilitated, NOAA will inspect and determine if said animal meets the protocol for release.
  5. If the animal is not suitable for release, NOAA will determine the permanent living situation for that animal

These protocols were put into effect after 1990 and they are now the letter of the law. Keeping an animal that NOAA determines releasable is against federal law, as is releasing one that is determined nonreleasable (we’re looking at you, Ric O’Barry.) Well you would, but amazing that you haven't looked at Ric O'Barry and he has been releasing animals for over 40 years and you look at him now as he spoke out against Seaworld lol.  Anyone familiar with the federal legislation can see that the rescue program is not a weak guise for animal kidnap and to suggest it is bordering on a conspiracy theory.
I think it would be only fair if you showed all the evidence you have found to back up this sentence as I haven't seen it and believe you have twisted this to suit your own ends again. Thats if you can supply it as you never seem able to correct or supply evidence to any other ''mistake'' that you have made. 

3. SeaWorld has the largest and one of the most advanced rescue programs in the United States.
And guess what? It’s all out of pocket.


SeaWorld has rescued over 24,000 animals, more than any other animal rescue organization in the United States (and about 24,000 more than PETA ever rescued). PETA have what to do with anything?  You also need to look at the figures for other agencies involved too.

Since their very first manatee rescue in 1976, SeaWorld has been on the front lines of rescue and rehabilitation, racking up mammal, bird and reptile rehab like nobody’s business.
With many other people who incidently are non profit. As you can see the Marine Mammal Center have been involved since the very beginning and still are. See their stats here . They have also incidentally produced more research documents than Seaworld and they don't have Hubbs helping out there either.

Their rescue teams are ready for the NOAA call 24/7, including weekends, holidays, (and other times when keyboard activists take a break from “helping” animals to curl up with their pumpkin spice lattes and binge-watch Mad Men.) Keyboard activists is very ironic seeing as you have this, Stand with Seaworld, Unofficial Seaworld podcast and I love Seaworld which you write the same drivel on with no links, back up or information allowing people to make up their own minds lol. 

And each one of those rescues is company funded. No catch, just conservation. Just the same as all the non profit organisations who do just as much work if not more, judging by their research documents too.
And it’s not cheap either. In fact, a rescue program of SeaWorld's caliber complete with boats, trucks, rehabilitation facilities, vets and a specialized cetacean quarantine area in Orlando and pinniped holding in San Diego can only come from a company with SeaWorld level resources. That once again is another lie, just because you are a Seaworld fan does not mean that all the other agencies disappear does it?  They’ve been able to pioneer the field of rescue, from developing pilot whale back braces to manatee baby formula to prosthetic beaks for injured birds. Their commitment to saving as many lives as possible is no joke, and it’s your ticket to the park that funds this innovation. What funds the non profits then? How can they manage to rescue, yet Seaworld needs ticket money? Pretty cool way to use your vacation funds, if you ask, you know, any sane person.

The rescue agencies involved in the pilot whale rescue here in Jan 2014 were 
 NOAA, 
Mote Marine Laboratory, 
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
 Rookery Bay Reserve,
 Marine Animal Rescue Society, 
US Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
Collier County Sheriff.
NO SEAWORLD

Another interesting article on NOAA - did you say everything is self funded from people's ticket money? You are wrong or misleading people yet again. 


NOAA awards $2.7 million to rescue stranded marine mammals and investigate health problems

 Lastly the famous JJ who Seaworld claim as their fantastic rescue. Lets have a look at their involvement in the rescue. 

This is part of the story from those who were there rescuing JJ or should I say Marina. 
''  When John and Don were on board the WHALE RESCUE TEAM’s boat it was obvious they knew Sea World did not want Marina. In fact, the idea was coldly turned down. Sea World refused to send a rescue truck or any help what so ever! I think that’s why Don looked so confused… he knew SeaWorld didn’t want the baby whale and his facility couldn’t handle it. Word from NMFS was “hands off.” Sea World never showed up at the rescue. Sea World doesn’t want to take in anything they can’t potentially keep for display and exploitation. Gray whales get too big to keep in captivity, Sea World was very aware of this. They just spent 10 million dollars on a tank for captive Orca whales, they didn’t want a stranded gray whale in it.
Calls were made to the media and the story continued to grow every hour. Sea World had to cave in. I’ll put my differences aside and work with them to ensure the best chance possible for Marina or any sick or injured marine mammal.

When Seaworld did finally accept to take her, they still wouldn't have anything to do with the rescue and only agreed to take her IF the rescue team managed to get her there, a 3 and a half hour truck ride away.

The article does give thanks to the work Seaworld did after they got JJ there, but it doesn't alter the fact that she would have died if the rescue had been down to them.

You can see that full story here 

The end result is DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING AWESOME OCEAN TELLS YOU. You will never get a balanced account, you won't get an unbiased view and as you can see from all their other articles they only tell you what they and Seaworld want you to hear. If you want to be the blind led by the blinded then fine, if not look up information yourself, NOAA, NMFS, OSHA etc are all fully viewable and all searchable if you want to find the truth and they are a much more reliable source than a couple of Seaworld fans and a company trying to keep their captive cetaceans.















 
Want to learn more about SeaWorld’s legacy of care?
Don’t believe there’s a government-mandated Standard of Release?

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Awesome Ocean - a twisted story of a dolphin tale.

A Dolphin Tale: Changing Minds in South East Asia

Featured
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Our oceans are in trouble and our focus here at Awesome Ocean is to bring that plight to the masses. We are also determined to showcase the people, organizations and facilities on the the front lines of ocean conservation. You didn't do that with Ric O Barry though did you who has won Environmental awards for his efforts on the front lines.
Globally our oceans are feeling the anthropogenic impact. Our growing population is putting even greater demands on our oceans - for a host of reasons.
S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore
In the western world (Europe and the Americas), major conservation projects have been moving forward. They have like Blackfish and Empty the tanks. Most of those facilities, and the public that supports them, understand the vital role they play in preserving and protecting the ocean and its inhabitants. However, it is in Asia where there is a lot of work still to do. Because of the culture and tradition of many of these people - there is still great pressure put on marine life.
But that is changing - however incrementally - and we must recognize and support that change.
One such instance is the Marine Life Park in Singapore. It is one of Singapore's newest facilities and it is striving to find a way to meaningfully help protect and conserve ocean life.
S.E.A. Aquarium Open Ocean Tank
When I learned that Marine Life Park had just become the second zoological facility in Asia to become AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited, I had to see and visit the facility for myself. After all, to be AZA accredited, Marine Life Park had to meet the strictest criteria. That is currently a rare feat in this part of the world.
Dolphin Island Entrance Singapore
The Marine Life Park is broken up into two sections - the S.E.A. Aquarium and Dolphin Island. The S.E.A. Aquarium, or South East Asia Aquarium, displays native fish, sharks, and rays that call South East Asia waters home. Dolphin Island is a dolphin interaction experience that displays Solomon Island dolphins that once called the waters around Singapore home. That is until habitat destruction, pollution, and development put an end to their natural environment.

That is not true and it is wrong of you to try to justify it 
This is the solomon islands drive hunt

 Twenty-four Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, captured in the waters of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, are being held at Resorts World's Marine Life Park attraction, which plans to open to the public on 30th September, offering interaction programmes. Twenty-seven dolphins were purchased by Genting between 2008 and 2009 and three have already died. Meanwhile, continued live captures of bottlenose dolphins in Solomon Islands waters have been condemned by scientific experts, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the Solomon Islands government itself.

CITES, did you see that Eric Davis, even CITES raised concerns it has nothing to do with their habitat.



 

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Part of Dolphin Island's over 4,000,000 gallon facility.
Of course, rather than bothering with the truth - keyboard activists and Internet bullies have attempted to turn this visit into a personal attack. As we see over and over again, it's never about education or persuasion from that side. It's about abuse and threats for anyone who does not conform to the narrative. These extremists have tried to attack me personally over this visit.
Once again you twist up a story, read above, CITES expressed concern and as you see here ACRES, Animals Concerns Research and Education Society expressed their concern again yesterday see here
As for personal attack do you mean like the time you attacked Cher, or like Ric O'Barry last week? Or is it a case of its OK for you to do it but not for anyone to give you it back?
But what's really going on here?
Rather than get into the mud where these people live, this presents a great opportunity to use the attention for the forces of good. So let's take a moment and speak the truth about this facility and why it's great that this park is making inroads in this part of the world.
A dolphin is dwarfed by the size and space of part of it's habitat
A dolphin is dwarfed by the size and space of part of it's habitat
First, the main attack has come from the fact that the dolphins at this facility were collected from the Solomon Islands in 2007 - a chain of islands a few hundred miles north of Australia. So, without looking any further into the issue - the attack was launched. Of course it was looked into, people have been trying to stop it since before they set off and despite you making out it is marvellous dolphins have and still are dying there.  The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA Singapore) is now calling on the facility to release its remaining 23 wild-caught dolphins.  see here yet another has died! The fact that these dolphins were collected recently is all that matters. The fact that these dolphins were collected from a drive hunt is the issue here, there is no need for it and at one time it had been phased out all together. Whilst people keep buying they will continue until CITES really get fed up and intervene properly.
But here is, as the late Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story.
This facility purchased these dolphins from locals in the Solomon Islands who have hunted dolphins for the last few hundred years. The hunt was banned in 2003 and restarted in 2007 when Mark Simmons and Ocean Embassy sent dolphins to Dubai. Mark Simmons made the statement himself


Similar to subsistence hunting in Alaska, they eat the meat of the dolphins and use their teeth and bones for clothing and jewelry. Again, it's something these people have been doing for generations.

No its not as in the links above it was banned in 2003, restarted to stock Dubai and is in the process of being banned again see CITES, they aren't armchair activists are they so would you care to say that they are wrong?? 
 
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Dolphin Tooth Head Piece Photo Credit: Otago Museum
In 2007, Marine Life Park offered the local population money to purchase some of the dolphins. Dolphins that would otherwise be slaughtered.  The local villages accepted, and because of that 20+ dolphins were saved out of the traditional 100 that are hunted. That is a lie again. Those lucky dolphins now live at the AZA accredited Marine Life Park. Nothing lucky about restarting a hunt that had been banned in 2003 is there?
As a side note, Ric O'Barry, an infamous animals activist, would also offer to pay the locals to not hunt dolphins in 2013. However, O'Barry welched on his agreement. Did you actually read your own link lol. I guess not so you would be wise to go back and read it, rather than put your own twisted spin on it.
Quote from YOUR link ''EII disputes those claims, however. EII director Lawrence Makili told Radio Australia that after $300,000 was invested in individual communities, a group in the capital seized the rest of the funds and did not distribute them.
"The renegade group grabbed funds that were supposed to go to the community and that resulted in a lot of the discord," David Phillips, who oversees international dolphin protection efforts for Earth Island, told the Guardian. "In our view there are proper charges of corruption in what has happened in the community."

Once again as you always do in your articles you pick out the bits that suit what you want to say missing out the actual facts - In reality the Fanalei chief also backs up what happened there. Why did you not research that properly before putting into print something that isn't true?

Fanalei chief Willson Filei, who had helped strike the deal with IMMP, condemned the killings. “The Honiara based committee was only formed when they learn that money was actually coming in. They refused and discourage us at the first place,” he told the local daily Solomon Star. “But when money came in they tried to push their way in. They then messed up the whole project and encourage villagers to return to hunt. I wash my hands from this recent string of slaughter.”
  Because of his actions, the locals killed almost 1,000 dolphins - the equivalent of almost 10 years of hunts. They also learned not to trust westerners and will likely resist ending this practice even more now.
Once again you print something about Ric O'Barry that isn't true, that is shameful reporting and why would that be?? 
But back to our story.


An Under Water Tunnel at the S.E.A. Aquarium
An Under Water Tunnel at the S.E.A. Aquarium
Let's be clear - no one is a fan of simply going out and collecting wild animals for public display.
However, what needs to be celebrated is that Dolphin Island at the Marine Life Park has now joined the AZA. So what, the issue is YOU put yourself forward as the shill for Seaworld. Seaworld spent quite a bit of time stating they do not support drive hunts, yet YOU seem to think that is OK. You can't be both sides of the fence!
This means that as long as they are a member of the AZA they can no longer participate in the collection of wild Marine Mammals. This is an amazing accomplishment that needs to be praised. Despite the fact that activists think you are too stupid to find the truth you didn't find the truth did you? Or maybe you did but chose not to use it, in order to mislead people yet again.- having a park in this part of the world that understands and commits to ending wild collection and abiding by the AZA regulations is a huge victory. The Filipino animal rights people, ACRES still have campaigns running and disagree with you .
It's a step forward in a part of the world where dolphins are largely not viewed the way the western world views them. But we know - angry tweets and publicity stunts get media attention - not science.
 The scientists above state differently .
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The infamous "BlackFish Star" Naomi Rose, who was famously a part of the botched Keiko Release project, plenty of people see the Keiko project a different way especially as people couldn't stop doing waterworks with him and wouldn't let him be wild. See here is being hosted at the M Hotel in Singapore - not to visit Dolphin Island, but to criticize and condemn it without ever setting foot inside. She has never talked to the trainers or animal care team. She hasn't even bothered to see the animals. Why do you think that trainers are more knowledgeable that scientists and CITES? The clue is in their title - trainers - it doesn't make them animal experts or vets, or even scientists so why would she need to speak to them? 
Why? Because it is never about the science. The truth doesn't sell. Controversy sells. The animals are just bit players.  What a ridiculous thing to say, there is concern about sustainability, and 3 of them have already died, don't try to make a drama out of something that isn't one!
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The dolphins at Dolphin Island spending time with their talented trainers.
At Awesome Ocean we spend a lot of time bringing out tough topics and exploring them in-depth. We don't just rely on Twitter mobs and drive-by hashtags. We hope that, like us, you take the time to find the truth because there are a lot of people out there with a vested interest in hiding it from you. You haven't though have you, on almost every article you print you either slate someone else or put in half truths, as in this one, instead of just finding bits that fitted with what you wanted to say why didn't you find all the information and then say you were wrong, because you were.
So take a hard look at the world around you - including zoological organizations and marine facilities. But don't be a lemming and rely on 140 hate-filled characters and celebrity wannabe scientists. They aren't wannabe, they are scientists you fool, for example Naomi Rose, who incidently you also like to call names, is a member of the International Whaling Commissions Scientific Committee. She has published popular and scientific articles and lectures at several universities. She participates in task forces and workshops at International, National and State Level. She received her PhD on the social dynamics of killer whales in 1992 from the University of California in Santa Cruz. As for the others you call on Blackfish see here.If a facility like Marine Life Park can get a foothold in this part of the world and promote the standards and regulations of organizations like the AZA - then we should support that.
It's the only way we can change the minds of people who have long viewed marine animals in a very different light than the rest of us. As I said earlier ACRES who live and work in the Philippines disagree with you and believe they should be rehabilitated back in Solomon Islands waters as do many who unlike yourself do not agree that these creatures should be in captivity.

As for the whole point of this article, you got caught supporting a place which buys drive hunt dolphins, and again you missed vital information like the drive hunt being banned in 2003, CITES involvement, the Chief speaking out in Solomon Island news to make it fit into your own view and that is not a good way to put over a story is it??
DCIM100GOPRO
Meeting a dolphin underwater in part of the 4,000,000 gallon habitat
As I stated at the beginning of this article, zoological facilities in Asia need to be praised when they help elevate the standard of animal care in this part of the world.
That is exactly what the Marine Life Park in Singapore is doing, and why it deserves our praise.

Friday 24 October 2014

Why to NOT Swim with Dolphins



Although a dolphin in the wild would seldom approach a human being, hundreds of them are forced to swim with tens of thousands people every year. Dolphinaria can even open 7 days a week and perform 4 shows a day ranging from 20 minutes to one hour without holidays or breaks for the animals.
Programmes allowing people to swim with dolphins increase their feeling of stress already experienced by living in captivity. Young females are normally used in these programmes since their behaviour is easier to manipulate. On the contrary, males are more prone to aggressiveness and sexual behaviour under certain circumstances depending on the time of the year.
 
Safety
Dolphins are more aggressive and dangerous than one could imagine. They are strong and temperamental animals (big in size and weight, a dolphin strength is up to 7 times higher than a human athlete’s). It would be naive to believe them harmless towards humans especially when the interactions are forced onto them. After all, they are wild animals and as such, as much as they are trained, they are unpredictable.

A dolphin in the wild would never attack a human being. Those few cases recorded have only occurred when dolphins have been subject to stressful situations, harassed or disturbed. However, the stress caused by the unnatural conditions of captivity together with the forced interactions with human beings can result on frustration leading to aggressiveness towards people and other dolphins. Dolphins are wild sea mammals with their own patterns of behaviour and social conduct. They play and mate in a different way to human beings and in many occasions, these activities, which are normal for them, can be potentially dangerous for human beings.


Information and public safety

Most participants are not informed of the possible hazards of swimming with dolphins. Dolphins are extremely agile animals, so accurate in their perceptions and exact and synchronised in their movements under water that they would be able to evade the movements of people. Therefore, any bump or scratch to swimmers would be intended, not accidental, even in the smallest and most crowded spaces.
This behaviour can result on severe physical damage to swimmers and could lead to hospitalisation: muscles torn, damaged organs, internal wounds, open wounds, broken bones and shocks. It has been the case that a dolphin fell on top of a person damaging her neck and causing deafness as a result.
Dolphins tend to be more submissive towards adult men, but children and women are the most threatened by their behaviour. Young women are in higher risk of suffering aggressive sexual behaviour.
Dolphins can sense the nerviosism in swimmers, react to them with aggressiveness and injuring them as a result.
Dolphins seem to have the ability of telling the difference and treat more carefully handicapped people. However, the actions and reactions of handiccaped children are unpredictable. If an animal is harmed intentionally or not, their immediate response will be another aggression or a rough and dangerous escape.
Likewise, there exists the risk of zoonotic agents´ transmission between humans and dolphins. It is believed that respiratory infections can transmitted from men to dolphins and vice verse. A large number of bacteriological diseases can penetrate through cuts, rashes, and especially bites. The participants are not informed of the possible infections and the centres do not inform about the accidents that occur during interactions. In fact, participants must often sign a document exempting the centre and administrations of any responsibility from any report of accident that may happen during the encounter.


Safety of dolphins

Through these behaviours, dolphins are trying to communicate their stress and fear. However, human beings do not realise of that stress, fear and frustration displayed by animals during the programmes. Apart from endangering people, the safety and well-being of dolphins are also affected in the swimming-with-dolphins programmes in different ways:
  • They suffer from stress, which can relate to negative physiologic disorders in the long run (stomach inflammation, ulcer, etc).
  • They may suffer from an unusual exposure to human bacteriological or viral infections.
  • They may swallow objects that have fallen into the swimming pool (keys, swimming caps, etc).
  • They may suffer from other stressing environmental agents like noise, deprivation of rest, inability to withdraw from human contact. 
  • The participants may intentionally or unintentionally disturb the animals by pulling their fins, chasing them, touching their eyes or blowholes, etc.
  • Some studies show that the level of whistles made by dolphins increase before and during the swimming-with-dolphins sessions as an indication of stress in anticipation to the sessions and during the course of these.
  • Sometimes, mediocre swimmers are allowed to participate. In these cases, the dolphins can be beaten by the arms, hands, flippers, etc. of the swimmers.

Conclusions

In their search for their personal satisfaction, people are oblivious to the damage they may inflict on other species.
The issue of captivity raises a debate between the rights and justification of humans to use wild animals for our entertainment or therapy purposes (of which effectivity nothing has been proved so far).
To conclude, these programmes can be ethically unacceptable for the following reasons:
  • They only exist as a means of commercial exploitation of wild animals
  • They impact negatively in the wild populations of these animals
  • They represent a severe risk for the health and safety or human beings and dolphins
  • They do not offer a real programme of education or preservation.
  • These programmes do not increase people’s awareness and education on wild animals, their lives and threats in nature, but they induce people to think that animals can snatched from their environment for our entertainment.
What can you do?
  •  Do not attend shows performed with animals.
  • Inform any person you know of the suffering that these animals endure.
  • Join any organisation that works towards the end of these practices.
  • Join my facebook page for updates and information here

Lastly check through this list as many of the dolphins have come from Taiji

Whilst you support these programmes you also support this and the two are entwined as demand for dolphins increases across the globe. Dolphins are wild ocean predators and should be treated as such, they are not toys for our entertainment.
                               
                                           What happens in Taiji?  find out here

script courtesy of faada

Thursday 23 October 2014

Poor conditions for Narnia in Russia



Whales in tanks - After 10 months the police found the killer whales at ENEA






 www.vita.org.ru/new/2014/oct/23 has reported today that Narnia and her companion are indeed languishing in the concrete horrors in Russia. 




10 months in a row two cylindrical structures located behind the pavilion "Electrification" at ENEA, were shrouded in secrecy and obscurity. It was rumored that inside tanks are languishing giant whales orca ("killer whales"), which was brought to the aquarium is being built, and the guards of the exhibition, as well as its visitors allegedly periodically hear horrific sounds of killer whales and a splash of water. Tanks covered inflatable hangar without any plates, which further raises doubts in others.

 
 As a 5-foot whales (orcas reach 10 m) can be placed in close rusty tanks intended more for fuel storage, and even in a year? It's actually alive immuring ?!
Moreover, that interviews with officials of very high rank, talks about preparing for the opening of the Aquarium in 2015, completely denied all these rumors. Like, closer to the opening of the oceanarium will bring up two killer whales from the Far East, wait ...
And the answer to the press service of the exhibition (if VVC) on request of the journalist "MK" about the purpose of the hangar also reassured the public: "This is a temporary structure (hangar) serves engineering and communication VVC during their repair and reconstruction." Everything loud and clear - the hangar serves technical purposes.
And the public was quite relieved, if not one "inconsistencies" with Internet retained several publications newspapers local destination, which reported that orcas December 2, 2013 by a special flight "Vladivostok-Krasnoyarsk-Moscow" after a 10 hour flight with a stop in Krasnoyarsk were delivered the territory of VVC!
Putting all the facts Center animal rights "VITA" sent a statement to the police department for servicing VVC ATC SVAO demanding an extra check on the output range of the hangar, and - in case of killer whales in tanks - bring those responsible for this, to put it mildly, "unethical" animal welfare, persons under Art. 245 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "On the ill-treatment of animals."
Answer ATC issued by the Centre "VITA" in 10 days, set the record straight "and" - killer whales there.  

However, the criminal case is denied. Due to "lack of evidence of criminal offense." "All right, fine marquis!". Other answer Center animal rights "VITA", in fact, did not expect ... "We would hope - says the president of the Center for Protection of Animal Rights" VITA "Irina Novozhilova - that people will hear about this terrible price that paid for the love of animals person to entertainment, and next time think twice before buying a ticket to the aquarium or dolphin. 
 
For comments on the situation with killer whales at ENEA Centre for the Protection of Animal Rights "VITA" addressed to leading experts in the Russian Federation on marine mammals:
Alexander Burdin, Director of Far East research project on killer whales (FEROP - Russian Orca) , Doctor of Biological Sciences:
"Stayed killer whales in these conditions is absolutely normal. This is the worst thing that could come up with ... It's like that put a man in a barrel of water for a long time, as a frogman.
 
I just can say that we in Russia are no conditions for keeping orcas in captivity is not. Killer whale - a very large animal, it needs constant movement, she lives in the open ocean, it is very social. Orcas need to communicate with each other, otherwise they run wild, become irritable, aggressive, leading to tragic cases: they kill coaches, it has been repeatedly.
Crime, in my view, to keep them in such conditions, it's just ... animal abuse. It is necessary now to show and tell people that do not need to look at them in captivity, and to punish for such an attitude. "
 
Gregory Tsidulko, a biologist, a member of the Marine Mammal Council, director of the Russian Antarctic Mission Alliance (Antarctic Ocean Alliance):
"Many countries are now, in principle, refused on the content of cetaceans in captivity, not to mention the large cetaceans, such as the killer whale, and it was done for several reasons, the main of which - the impossibility of keeping them in captivity at least in any adequate conditions.
In Russia the situation is threatening, we continued the active capture of marine mammals, including cetaceans, despite the fact that for about two decades, there were no accounting to estimate abundance of these populations. Certification of this type of activity was abolished by the decree of the RF Government Decree and now anyone can somehow buy sea lions, bottlenose dolphin, killer whale, beluga and keep it at home in the bath. This situation is outrageous! And it is terrible that continue to be issued quotas, despite the fact that in the absence of data on the status of wild populations, we did not know what effect they may have. In particular, killer whales are very complex social organization, and the catch of certain animals over a long period may come back to haunt the fact that some populations may be on the verge of extinction or disappearing. For example, there was a population of killer whales in the Gulf of Alaska, the population of southern resident killer whales in the American national legislation was recognized as threatened or trapped on the brink of extinction as a result of the fact that they are actively exploited here for such purposes.
Deal more that catches do not occur in view of the scientific approach and a uniform distribution of withdrawal of these animals, and occur where orcas comfortable catch. As a result, certain populations, certain groups, family clans of killer whales are at a sufficiently serious pressure. So much for such a formal point of view, in terms of legislation. If you look at it from the point of view of humanity, from the point of view of human normal approach to communicate with animals, there is also a lot can. For example, the fact that the killer whales swim in a day is very long distances, depending on whether it is piscivorous feeding killer whale or other marine mammals - up to 150 km. Of course, to create normal conditions for killer whales in captivity, in principle, impossible. As it is known, is now continuing the trial of a loud «Sea World» in America. This is the most striking example of how progressive humanity refers to the content of cetaceans in captivity. The problem is also in the fact that the killer whale pull out of the family at the age of two or three years of children, if we translate into human analogy. Because of these whales is easiest to catch, they are easiest to adapt to captivity, they are best trained to at this age. And you actually sees two-three-year child of the family, carry it somewhere far away and keep it in some kind of a small cage. In the context of a concrete pool, killer whales, communicating by means of ultrasound, themselves stun reflection of sound signals from the walls of the pool. For example, it is known that the behavior of killer whales is mightier than I, when during the performances Visitors started cheering loudly. Big synchronous aplodirovanie group of people about 50-100 or more people actually stun killer whales that are in the pool and under water.
Technology now taken these animals in the wild is so changed that we are much bigger and better able to learn and show their children these animals in the wild in their natural habitat. And do not take them - I mean children - in the aquarium , where the animal taken out of the family, often one that's contained in such appalling conditions. I think it's just inhumane, and in fact under the guise that aquariums conduct environmental education, many hosts and organizers of such events say that we give children the opportunity to interact with the animals, which they can not always be seen in nature. In my opinion - this is a very strong cunning when it comes to decent terms. In fact, we teach children with early childhood that if we want to deny the pleasure of some beautiful, freedom-loving animals will for pleasure, then yes, we can do it. And then we can talk about what the moral and ethical guidelines we bring up children here such displays, by organizations such as aquariums, dolphins and other parks where animals, particularly marine mammals held in captivity. In Russia is actively developing ecotourism and I, in particular, I know two or three places where you can quite easily go and see killer whales in nature, to go to sea on a boat and look at the very natural environment when orcas travel big family. This can be done on the Kamchatka Peninsula, and if advance trouble ticketing, the ticket to Kamchatka there and back costs about 15 thousand rubles. This is not the small amount of money, of course, for many Russians, but not the biggest. After all, even if they wanted to, even if there are a large amount of funds - and the content of a killer whale in a pool such as in «Sea World», in which the killer whale can at least some of the lengths of their bodies to swim in a straight line - it is very, very expensive. In Russia, there are no such facilities. As none of the dolphinarium, which would be used for the maintenance of cetaceans. It's all or some pools of Olympic reserve, or do some school pools or any inflatable mobile facilities, bathrooms, and still stand for something. Basically, to create normal conditions for keeping orcas in captivity is not possible. And do not need, they must live in a natural environment. "

Shame on Russia for allowing this, those poor orca must be going out of their minds. Why couldn't they leave them were? Or at worst leave them here? 




 

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Boycott Seaworld

Awesome Ocean personal attack on Ric OBarry Debunked

Richard O’Barry: The Animal “Advocate” Debunked

News
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Firstly Eric you have done it again and missed out vital information, so I will add it in for you again. 

Richard O’Barry, former board member of the Sugarloaf Dolphin Sanctuary, founder of the Dolphin Project,founded in 1970 from which O’Barry has since rescued and released over twenty-five captive dolphins in Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil, The Bahamas and the United States. convicted dolphin abuser, see interview below and The Dodo’s anyone can write a piece for the Dodo, even you Eric go-to guy on why SeaWorld dolphins can be returned to the wild. He has been releasing them for over 40 years, so knows if they can go or not.

Ric explains the release of Buck and Luther here     Guess who was involved in sabotaging the release - yep you guessed it Seaworld, just as they did with Keiko. Can't mind their own business I guess, read his version for yourself though.
Which one of those four things just doesn’t seem right?
Oh yes, the fact that Mr. O’Barry is a convicted animal abuser and both The Dodo and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) rely on his expert opinion when attacking SeaWorld feels like living in the Twilight Zone.
It's like asking Ike Turner to head up a Criminal Domestic Violence task force.
They probably asked Ric as you forgot to say 
  •   O’Barry received an Environmental Achievement Award, presented by the US Committee for the United Nations Environmental Program.
  •  In 2007 he became a marine mammal specialist for Earth Island Institute and director of the Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project
  •  O’Barry leads an international effort to stop the killing of dolphins, end the trafficking in live dolphins to theme parks and captive swim-with-the-dolphins attractions and continues to lecture and speak out against the captivity industry
  •  O’Barry is co-author of three books
  •  O'Barry was featured in the Academy Award-winning feature-length documentary The Cove
  •  O’Barry and his son Lincoln O'Barry are also behind the Blood Dolphin$ TV show for Discovery’s Animal Planet, which continues on where The Cove left off. see here
He travels the world fighting for dolphins and fighting the killing in Taiji, Seaworld does what about that? 
Oh yes NOTHING as Fred Jacobs said - SeaWorld did not stop purchasing dolphins from Drives in Japan on moral or ethical grounds. Spokesman Fred Jacobs: ‘We stopped [buying] and have not resumed, not because we are ashamed, but it was not something that we cared to be involved with any more.’ And the reason they say they cannot condemn other parks 
  “We do not want to be accused of being disingenuous,” Jacobs explained. “If we go to an aquarium in China and say ‘You guys should not be involved,’ the first thing out of their mouths will be, ‘Well, you did it,’ and we cannot argue that point.” See full interview here



PETA called for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to send inspectors to SeaWorld San Diego to investigate the conditions of their ocras, dolphins and other animals to determine if the organization had violated the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Mr. O’Barry along with Dr. Heather Gally reported the “findings” in a PETA sponsored news conference.
An investigation - why are you getting all in a state about it then, if Seaworld have nothing to hide, they have nothing to worry about do they? 

It leaves one to wonder, why would anyone listen to a man who was convicted for breaking numerous laws under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act as an "expert" on marine mammals?
O'Barry was convicted of mistreating two dolphins in his care and then tossing them into the ocean when the authorities were coming to save them.
Like throwing away the evidence before the cops arrive. Except the evidence was two wonderful, living dolphins that could not survive on their own. They were fortunately found - malnourished and sick, begging for food. They were fined for releasing 2 dolphins and failing to notify NOAA. As Ric said in his interview above ''To answer your question, it was the only thing to do. Look, there's only two alternatives, okay? I know at this point before I release them, a few days before I release them, I know for sure they're coming to confiscate them and take them back to polluted San Diego Bay and put them into 30 by 30 cages again, okay? I know also there's no permit required to release them. As a matter of record, you will see that you didn't need a permit until 13 days after the release.''

So now, PETA and their mouthpiece at The Dodo expect you to see him as an authority on the proper treatment of cetaceans at any accredited marine facility.
Well the rest of the world sees him as such, since he was one of the first dolphin capturers and trainers and worked with and trained orca too and has since 1970 been a dolphin advocate, releasing dolphins across the world. The only person that doesn't see him as an authority is you Eric and only since he asked for the inspection with PETA. Strange that isn't it?
It just doesn’t make sense. Heck even HSUS, an organization of high disdain, dissociated themselves from this guy.
The Humane Society withdrew their support for the Sanctuary and no longer believed that the personnel there were interested in pursuing a scientific approach to release.
But since they are holding him out as an expert, we thought it was important for the public to understand who it is that is telling them what they should believe.
Every thing you have said above is from the same case of Buck and Luther  in 1999 who Rick released rather than let them go back into captivity as he had seen what captivity does to them. Seaworld should know that as they have 244 dead themselves in the 50 years they have been opened.
The following are 12 key takeaways from the case against Richard O’Barry:
  1. “The Sugarloaf Dolphin Sanctuary was to be a pioneer in developing protocols to return the captive dolphins to the wild.” The Sanctuary had been a home where previously captive dolphins could spend the remainder of their lives comfortably. All necessary legal release permits were to be be obtained from the National Marine Fisheries Service before any release occurs and every reasonable effort were to be made to acquire these permits.
  2. In 1994, the sanctuary received a total of six dolphins.
  3. In February of 1995 the NMFS denied the scientific research permit and relationships at the sanctuary began to unravel. After this, Good and O’Barry became more secretive about the sanctuaries operations. He didn't apply for a scientic research permit, this was one of the issues they had.
  4. Outside members, consisting of well-known individuals in the marine mammal world, learned that the Ocean Reef Club dolphins had been allowed to swim in open water.
  5. By July 1995 the Board had removed Good and O’Barry.
  6. The two gentlemen filed a lawsuit against the sanctuary board and was settled with the agreement that all outside board members had to resign and that two of the dolphins would be returned to the Dolphin Alliance. The settlement did not state what would become of the remaining dolphins.
  7. Things fell apart at the sanctuary and O’Barry left. Good kept the dolphins in the lagoon in front of the hotel and began decreasing their food supply to see if they would leave the sanctuary.
  8. Concerned, O’Barry called the NMFS and APHIS to report this. However, he returned to the sanctuary to warn Good that someone was going to intervene.
  9. At this point, the two men decided that they were going to return two of the dolphins to the wild. They hired a film crew and on May 23, 1996, both dolphins were transported six miles offshore and thrown overboard.
  10. After a week, both of the dolphins were found, re-captured and examined by medical professionals.
  11. Dr. William Van Bonn and Dr. Gregory Bossart performed a medical examinations on the dolphins and stated that both were underweight, sleep deprived, had lacerations and needed immediate veterinary care. Dr. Bossart concluded, “that releasing these dolphins into the wild was inappropriate and should be considered inhumane.”
  12. The Secretary of Agriculture suspended the Sugarloaf Dolphin Sanctuary’s Exhibitor License because it violated the Animal Welfare Act. APHIS concluded that they violated the act when they let the dolphins swim in open water and that they did not have a proper veterinary care program in place for the dolphins.
See Rics explaination of the above events too he makes no attempt to hide anything. Why would he? 

Note (just for kicks): O'Barry is calling on the same government agency (APHIS) that helped convict him (and he trashed) to investigate SeaWorld. The absurdity - it never ends.

That is because, that is who would investigate Seaworld, he released those dolphins to save them from a captive life which he knew would kill them and it did, its not absurd, who would you expect him to call for an inspection? 

Mr. O’Barry clearly did not have the dolphins best interests in mind when he called the film crew and threw the creatures to sea. The board members, concerned Floridians, and the U.S. government have all recognized and convicted this man as someone who disregards the welfare of animals.
That isn't how it was at all, he had the dolphins, and only the dolphins interests at heart, read his version he has photographic evidence to prove it, or you could read his book To free a dolphin 
If you think trying to prevent a dolphin going back to this is a bad thing then that is your opinion. 

Navy dolphin wearing anti foraging device, preventing it from opening its mouth
 Read about them here

 It is absolutely irresponsible to consider Mr. O’Barry’s advice, opinions, or knowledge of animal welfare as a source of expertise or truth.

That again is your opinion and exactly the same way as you always react to anyone having something bad to say about Seaworld. Cher, Dodo, PETA, Ric even is there is other evidence. As a journalist you should know that your personal opinion counts for nothing, people want facts and for some reason you either don't provide any, or provide half facts.
As seen here , here , here , here , here, here , here, here, here, and here

This time you really have attacked the wrong person, someone who has the respect of many across the world, for no other reason than asking for an inspection into the state of those dolphins, orcas and walrus.  The evidence of those allegations made are below. 

As you are a frequent visitor to Seaworld and have seen these things for yourself, why haven't you asked for an inspection or do you just not care?






























LASTLY DR HEATHER RALLY TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS OF HER OWN. SEE THEM HERE, EVIDENCE IS EVIDENCE.


For the full version of the case click here.
Sources: www.animallaw.info 






Tuesday 21 October 2014

Awesome Ocean accuse Ric O Barry of being an animal abuser for standing up to Seaworld.

PETA’s Animal Abuser Accuses SeaWorld of Abuse

 Once again Eric Davis spits out his venom against people asking for an investigation into SeaWorld San Diego.As usual his comments are in black my responses in red.

 Today in San Diego, PETA is holding another press conference (note: shocking!).  What makes this latest stunt particularly laughable are the claims being made and the people making the claims.
Basically, PETA has hit the bottom of the barrel with this one
.
The claims are - 
  • has found scars and lesions on dolphins, orcas, and other animals; 
  • witnessed unprotected and unsupervised contact between visitors and aggressive animals; 
  • and observed listless animals engaging in abnormal, repetitive behavior likely caused by stress, among other apparent violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). 
“This veterinary report confirms that SeaWorld is causing animals to suffer both physically and psychologically in hopelessly inadequate tanks,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA is asking families to stay far away from SeaWorld, where deprived orcas can do nothing but swim in endless circles, stressed dolphins take their aggression out on one another, and a walrus in solitary confinement is reduced to regurgitating his food out of boredom.”

These are all breaches of the Animal Welfare Act


  •  Orcas, dolphins, belugas, and pilot whales are suffering from marks and scars that are likely the result of unsafe enclosures or of housing incompatible animals together, leading to interpersonal aggression.
  • Visitors are put into unsupervised direct contact with dolphins who appear aggressive (and could bite) and who suffer from skin conditions indicative of depressed immune systems.
  • A highly social walrus, sometimes confined alone, swims in endless circles and repeatedly regurgitates his food—established signs of stress and deprivation.
  • Orcas also exhibit abnormal behavior that indicates psychological distress, including floating listlessly and repeatedly opening and closing their mouths.
 The press release can be seen here

 Without the vet report, people have seen these things for themselves 


Orkid after being raked.

 
2nd time a young girl has been bitten




Tekoa, still a Seaworld orca. Ingrid Visser described as the most raked orca in captivity.
dolphin rake marks
dolphin pox and rakes at discovery cove and Seaworld

PETA is calling on the USDA to investigate SeaWorld San Diego based on observations by PETA's veterinarian, who has only been a vet for 5 months She has done the training and is still a qualified vet and the head of The Dolphin Project, who was convicted of abusing dolphins under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.   
Ric's version shows a different story of deliberate sabotage. He had taught the dolphins to catch and eat live fish but knew they were coming to put them back in a tank. See here
 
Yes, you read that correctly.

PETA the organization that has killed over 30,000 cats and dogs PETA's explaination not just using numbers
PETA the organization that in 2013 killed 82% of the animals that were left at its shelter.
PETA the organization whose employees were found guilty of illegally dumping the bodies of the cats and dogs that they killedThe link says they were found not guilty of cruelty but guilty of littering , it was the choice of the two people to remove them from the van

This same organization is breathlessly calling for an investigation based on the observations of Dr. Heather Rally, barely out of veterinary school, but still a qualified vet and Richard O'Barry, who was actually convicted of dolphin abuse. This guy was actually convicted of abusing animals. He is now accusing someone of abusing animals. Everyone knows who Ric OBarry is, because of him the Cove was made, he has been a trainer and after realising it was wrong as many do he then fights for dolphins and whales across the world and has been doing for 40 years.

Much better to do that than do what Fred Jacobs said when asked about Taiji.  ‘We stopped [buying] and have not resumed, not because we are ashamed, but it was not something that we cared to be involved with any more.’ And the reason they say they cannot condemn other parks 
  “We do not want to be accused of being disingenuous,” Jacobs explained. “If we go to an aquarium in China and say ‘You guys should not be involved,’ the first thing out of their mouths will be, ‘Well, you did it,’ and we cannot argue that point.” See full interview here




 For the last 40 plus years O’Barry has spoken about the harmful effects of captivity on dolphins at lectures and conferences around the world. In 1991 in recognition of his contribution to the protection of dolphins, O’Barry received an Environmental Achievement Award, presented by the US Committee for the United Nations Environmental Program. In 2007 he became a marine mammal specialist for Earth Island Institute and director of the Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project. Working with DolphinProject.org , O’Barry leads an international effort to stop the killing of dolphins, end the trafficking in live dolphins to theme parks and captive swim-with-the-dolphins attractions and continues to lecture and speak out against the captivity industry

Ric O Barry has also written about the press conference on his own blog 
 
It's a head scratcher. It certainly is, if Seaworld have nothing to worry about why waste your time trying to discredit those who have asked for the inspection?
But it gets better.

What PETA either doesn't know, or doesn't want you to know is that SeaWorld is regularly inspected and governed by two federal agencies and two 3rd party accreditation groups. On top of it all, PETA has made numerous allegations in the past to the same government body.

They have all been thrown out as frivolous. WRONG
 They actually haven't been thrown out at all. See below each agency you list

Repeated citation, so does Seaworld not bother what those governing bodies have to say then? 

So despite PETA's never-ending idiocy, let's turn this into a learning opportunity.  There are many governing bodies that regularly inspect and oversee facilities like SeaWorld San Diego. They are charged with making sure these facilities meet a high standard and that animals at these facilities are well cared for.
Let's take a look at the respectable entities that really care about the wellbeing of these animals:
Lets see what they cited Seaworld for

USDA - APHIS

This department of the Federal Government performs unannounced inspections at all facilities that have licenses to ensure that they are operating and complying with standards of care.
  • Animal care inspectors regularly conduct pre-licensing and compliance inspections. The Animal Welfare Act requires that regulated research facilities be inspected at least once per year. Additionally,
  • Animal care inspectors use a risk based inspection system to determine inspection frequency at all regulated facilities.
In addition to routine inspections, animal care inspectors follow up on complaints from the public regarding regulated facilities, including reports that facilities are conducting regulated activity without an Animal Welfare Act license or registration.
This is the governing body that has to deal with these frivolous complaints.
  •  on January 13, 2014, SeaWorld was cited for failing to maintain the flooring at Sea Lion and Otter Stadium—the rubber flooring on which the animals walk during shows was dangerously dislodged and littered with paint chips. The park had been issued a citation in 2007 for the same problem in the same location
  •  2013, it had been cited for failing to keep a dolphin tank and an area surrounding an orca performance tank in a safe condition. 
  •  During the January 2014 inspection, SeaWorld was also cited for continuing to keep dozens of expired surgical sutures—which can become unsterile, result in premature suture failure, and lead to life-threatening infections in the animals—in its surgery room despite a previous USDA directive to develop a protocol for disposing of expired sutures. 
  •  The 2013 disrepair-related violations at SeaWorld include allowing a dolphin tank’s concrete to become cracked and crumbling, with rusty beams overhead, and allowing the flooring surrounding the orca performance tank to become loose, worn, and chipped away. The USDA warned that the unsafe conditions “might create a health risk if these pieces of concrete fall off into the pool and get ingested, or if they become abrasive.”
  •   Seaworld were sued
    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a “repeat violation” and a fine of $38,500 against SeaWorld Florida for ignoring a federal court order and continuing to run a workplace with “recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by and drowning hazards.”

  •  Congress has also asked that USDA update the Animal Welfare act stating
    “Sound, modern science should inform our regulations on marine mammal captivity,” Huffman and Schiff said in a joint statement. “Unfortunately, USDA has refused to act for nearly two decades, endangering humans and orcas alike. It’s unacceptable that our regulations protecting orcas and other marine mammals have not been updated to reflect the latest science. It is past time for USDA to address this issue.”
This department of the Federal Government has a division that oversees Marine Animals that are rescued, and then inspect facilities like SeaWorld who care for rescued animals. They are responsible for tracking
  • births
  • wild captures
  • imports
  • deaths
  • escapes
  • releases
  • transfers/transports
NOAA has worked with SeaWorld since its founding in 1970, and continues to inspect and work with SeaWorld's experienced teams to rescue, rehabilitate, and return animals to the wild.


Seaworlds permit to import from Kamogawa  Japan

 The US Marine Mammal Inventory Report (MMIR) records the Miami Seaquarium, Sea Life Park Hawaii, Indianapolis Zoo, Sea World Inc. and the US Navy as having imported live cetaceans from Japan's drive hunts in the past.

Permit application for Seaworld to collect body parts from dead or conditioned animals

Georgia Aquarium application showing Belugas being flown straight into Seaworld parks.

Importation of Beluga from Marineland Canada

Import of 3 male Belugas from Canada

Application for fish farm 5 miles off San Diego

Sea Turtle information - all turtles in US waters are protected - hence them having to be released.

Letter requesting permit to conduct research on Hawaiian monk seals captured from the wild in 1995

Permit request for Walrus from Kamogawa 2012

There is a seemingly endless list of things between NOAA and Seaworld mainly for importation.


AZA 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is an voluntary organization that Zoological organizations like SeaWorld can choose to be part of.  If they choose to be seek accreditation by the AZA, they have to meet guidelines far stricter than the federal guidelines laid out by the USDA and NOAA.  All SeaWorld parks are AZA accredited through a strict accreditation process that includes submitting its facilities to inspection.

Seaworld Orlando and San Diego are up for review and AZA are asking for comments good or bad to be submitted. Information Here    
Anyone wishing to offer comments, positive or negative, should submit them in writing as soon as possible to Jennifer DiNenna, Manager, Accreditation Programs, AZA, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 710, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments can also be e-mailed to Jennifer DiNenna.  jdinenna@aza.org

AMMPA
The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums is another voluntary organization that Marine Parks and Aquariums like SeaWorld can choose to be a part of.  With its focus strictly on Marine Animals, this organization has even stricter guidelines for Marine Animals than the AZA, NOAA and USDA.  All SeaWorld parks are members of the AMMPA and continue to innovate with the AMMPA organization on new ways to set the standard of care.

The things on their website are almost identical to those on Seaworld websites, so we all know where they stand

Let's recap.
An activist organization with a track record like PETA, uses a veterinarian fresh out of college still trained and qualified and an activist who has been convicted of crimes of abuse, neglect and endangerment against dolphins see his statement above to make claims against SeaWorld with no proof. There is plenty of proof . They call on the USDA to investigate. Yes investigate as you lied above and Seaworld DID get cited after the last investigation.  
However, the USDA regularly investigates SeaWorld and has previously thrown out multiple claims from PETA. Provide proof of the claims they have thrown out as I have found and proved the ones that weren't, as you are very good at blank statements.

This is harassment. PETA just thinks you are too stupid to notice. And you think that people will take you on face value with no proof what so ever

So who do you trust?
Yes who do you trust Ric O Barry who has campaigned for and freed dolphins for the past 40 years, or Eric Davis a Seaworld fan who makes blank statements with either half the information or totally lies as he has again here saying PETA cases were all dismissed as frivolous?  

        From an International respect
        and inspiration point of view
        which would you choose to
                          trust
           Eric Davis or Ric OBarry
      I know which one I would choose