(ANIMAL RIGHTS) Animal activists seem less impressed than film critics with Rust and Bones, a recently released French-Belgian film starring Marion Cotillard. Animal rights organizations, including Animal Defenders International, advocate a boycott against the film, as orcas were used and kept in captivity for filming. Animals should never serve as entertainment, and we hope activist efforts can help end this trend of animal exploitation. — Global Animal
(KILLER WHALES) — A recent video surfaced of a dangerous incident between a trainer and killer whale at SeaWorld from 2006. The whale, Kasatka, was made to perform while her baby was calling to her, and she dragged her trainer underwater for over a minute. This adds to the mounting amount of evidence that these highly intelligent creatures should not be in captivity at all much less forced to perform. Read on for more on SeaWorld’s carelessness with wild creatures. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL NEWS) A judge ruled today that SeaWorld is responsible for the death of orca trainer Dawn Brancheau. The SeaWorld trainer died during a show in 2010 when Tilikum, a male orca, pulled her underwater until she drowned. Charges were brought against SeaWorld by the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA). This ruling is a step in the right direction and could change the conversation about orcas and other marine animals in captivity. Read on for more on the judge’s decision and the safety protocols that it will be forced to revise. — Global Animal
(WHALES) CALIFORNIA — Off the coast of Monterey Bay, humpback whales attempted to defend a gray whale calf from a pod of killer whales in front of groups of whale watchers. The calf’s mother fought as best she could, but when the killer whales’ skilled attack was too much for her, the humpbacks stepped in. This is likely the first time something like this has been witnessed and recorded. Read on for the full story. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL NEWS) RUSSIA — Researchers in the Far East Russia Orca Project have discovered the worlds only known all-white male orca. The footage released of “Iceberg,” named for the way the white dorsal fin looks coming up out of the water, shows the mammal swimming with his pod off Russia’s Commander Islands in the Bering Sea. The researchers announced that they are hoping to relocate the mammal this summer and find out whether Iceberg is a true albino orca, or just a beautiful, rare white version of the species. Read on for more on this remarkable mammal. — Global Animal
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