Captive Cetaceans: A Handbook for Campaigners - Whale and ...

eceived extensive publicity internationally and, crucially, served to inform the public
about the reality of social bonding among orcas, their long lifespan in the wild, and
the fact that some captives have surviving blood relatives in known areas. Media
coverage established sufficient public awareness to place Sea World in a defensive
position, which was not surpassed until the film Free Willy brought the concept to an
even broader audience.
The three Sealand orcas (which had caused the first human fatality by drowning their
trainer), were also suggested for release, as they were considered by many to be too
dangerous for future trainer interactions. However, Sea World had already filed an
application (on November 6th, 1991) to obtain the animals. Sea World re-submitted
its application, requesting an "emergency" import for the male, Tillikum, and citing
the condition of the two females, one of which had recently given birth, the other due
to give birth. Instead, on January 8th, 1992, NMFS authorised Co-operative
Agreement No IQ. Special Condition number two stated, "If a permit is not issued for
the importation of this killer whale, NMFS, after consultation with Canadian
governmental officials, may require that Sea World return Tillikum to Canada to a
facility...if no Canadian facility is available, return and release Tillikum at the original
location of capture.." (i.e. Icelandic waters).
This became the first occasion with serious implications for a possible reintroduction,
as directed by NMFS. Three months later, Iceland's Minister of Fisheries submitted a
memo to NMFS opposing the Tillikum's return to Icelandic waters. Sea World is a
major customer of Iceland's live-capture industry, and a major financial supporter of
the Iceland Marine Research Institute. Letters were later uncovered indicating contact
between Sea World and the Icelandic Minister of Fisheries, assuring Sea World that
the return of killer whales maintained in captivity to Iceland would not be authorized
(Andrews, 1992, Palsson, 1992). ..Tillikum duly arrived at Sea World, Orlando, on
January 9th, 1992, and NMFS issued a public display permit on October 7, 1992.
In December 1992, European groups urged the Barcelona Zoo to consider the release
of Ulysses, an Icelandic male orca destined for Sea World. The zoo convened a panel
to consider the feasibility of his release. The panel was supposed to consist of
independent experts, but actually included industry-related participants. Significantly,
Iceland had prepared a nearly identical letter to the one produced for Tillikum,
opposing the return of Ulysses to his home waters, (notwithstanding the enthusiastic
support of the Mayor of Eskifjordur, the city closest to where Ulysses was captured.)
Highly publicised in the Spanish media, a number of internationally-renowned marine
scientists supported the release, including Jim Darling, Victor Scheffer, Jacques
Cousteau, and Spanish biologists Luis Mariano Gonzalez and Miguel Angel
Valladares. Nevertheless, Ulysses arrived at Sea World, San Diego February 9th,
1994.
There was little campaigning for the release of the male orca, Tanouk, after reports
surfaced, in May 1995, that Marineland in France felt that it could no longer provide
him with enough room. Marineland also held another male, two females, one juvenile,
and was awaiting another birth. Participants at the European Association for Aquatic
Mammals (EAAM) conference reported that Marineland was not receptive to his
release. Captured in Iceland in 1989, and having experienced only the company of
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