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We’ll Meet Again . . .

Posted July 16, 2011 in Learn More by Michael Mountain

(Last in the series Superpod One – Where It All Began)

While some of us spend the morning catching up on e-mail etc., others need to head out early. Samantha Berg and Kevin Meddleton are going home to Alaska, where they have an acupuncture clinic.

Samantha is also a former SeaWorld trainer, who appeared on several TV news shows in the days following the death of Dawn Brancheau at SeaWorld Orlando last year. She and Kevin suggest we all meet again – perhaps next time in Alaska. We also talk about setting up an email group so we can stay in touch and share information. The group needs a name. I suggest “Superpod” in honor of what we’ve seen and shared over the week. It’s agreed.

Lori and head over to the Center for Whale Research, where I download some of the photos that ID the many orcas that are in Ken’s records. Then we collect David Kirby from Candace’s house, where he’s been out on the shore getting a final view of the orcas, and we drive over to Friday Harbor on the other side of the island.

Lori, David, and I meet Jeff Ventre and his wife, Michelle, on the Victoria Clipper for the two-hour voyage back to Seattle. Jeff and Michelle are headed home to New Orleans, David to New York, Lori to Atlanta, and me to Southern Utah.

As I wait to board my flight, I’m gazing out of the window at the giant planes coming and going from the gates.

But in my mind’s eye, I’m still seeing orcas.

Afterword: In the years that followed, some of the group would meet up again on San Juan Island. And in July 2016, when hundreds of people from around the world gathered for three days of talks, movies and presentations at the local theater, Dr. Lori Marino announced the formation of an organization, the Whale Sanctuary Project, that was setting out to create a seaside sanctuary for captive whales.

Table of Contents

Superpod One – Where it All Began
In the summer of 2011, a group of scientists, journalists and former orca trainers met up on San Juan Island. Their week together would eventually lead to the formation of the Whale Sanctuary Project.

Off to the Island
On the ferry to San Juan Island everyone crowds onto the top deck for glimpses of dolphins, harbor seals, eagles and other animals.

First Sighting
At the Center for Whale Research, we see dorsal fins popping out of the water … just a second or two as the orcas come up for air.

Grandma J2’s Birthday Party
Grandma J2 has celebrated her 100th birthday. San Juan Island held a party in her honor. But how do they know she’d just turned 100?

T Is for Transient
As well as the “resident” pods, who spend most of their time around the islands, there are “transient” pods whose lifestyle is quite different.

Luna: the Orca Who Wanted to Be Friends
Orcas need each other’s company. So, when Luna got separated from his family, he started making friends with humans on their boats in Nootka Sound.

Out on the Ocean, Surrounded by Orcas
We’re headed out toward the open sound, and our captain is confident we’re going to see some orcas.

Orcas at the Other End of the World
The orcas line up and create a wave that will lift one side of the ice floe and tip the seal into the water.

Orca Dinner Party
The whales need 200 pounds of food every day, and Chinook salmon is the only food that the resident orcas will eat.

Super-Intelligence
Whichever way you look at orca brains, you have to conclude that these guys are super-intelligent.

Custody Battle Over a Captive Orca
An unseemly custody battle is going on between SeaWorld and Marineland over orca Ikaika, whom SeaWorld has “loaned” them.

We’ll Meet Again . . .
The group needs a name. I suggest “Superpod” in honor of what we’ve seen and shared this week. It’s agreed … and it’s just a beginning

Also on the Blog

  • Seaside Sanctuary Concept
  • Canada Bans Captivity of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
  • Orca Brains and Intelligence
  • “Whales Without Walls” – a short film
  • The Whale Jail Is No More!
  • Site Search Report

The Case Against Keeping Whales and Dolphins Captive

The tide is turning in the West but in Asia the marine entertainment park industry is booming. 

Special report >

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