With its distinct coloration and apex predator status, Orcinus orca is one of the most easily recognizable cetaceans on the planet. However, research from all corners of Planet Orca suggests that this species is facing numerous and varied threats. This blog will track the ongoing research and issues, with the conservation actions you can take.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Morgan


It was heartening at the recent BLUE ocean film festival to see conference delegates attaching FREE MORGAN decals to their name badges.

At one of the sessions, Jean-Michel Cousteau declared he would be at the hearing on November 1, and stated, "We need to get off our ass and campaign as far as we can, with as many people as we can, to convince the Judges. . .” Hard to argue with that rhetoric, really :)

Morgan has her own Facebook page. Let's face it, right now, separated from her family, she needs all the friends she can get. You can show your support, donate, or if you live in Europe, perhaps consider attending the November 1 hearing.

Morgan: the story

Separated, somehow from her Norwegian family, hungry and alone, humans in the Netherlands sought to intervene. They applied for a permit to rehabilitate the youngster, and return her to her family. Then they broke the promise they made to her, and now she's in a theme park, being trained to entertain. On November 1, a hearing will be held to hear her case - investigate the rules broken by keeping her in captivity, transporting her from Amsterdam to Tenerife and the judge's previous ruling that this was all permissible under the law (on who's planet?)

Detractors will claim that "Free Willy" doesn't work, but that's simply not true. Keiko, the whale who captured everyone's hearts swam in the wild for many years before succumbing to pneumonia. More recently, Springer, found in very similar circumstances to Morgan was successfully returned to her family and was seen this summer off the coast of British Columbia according to the dedicated folks at Orca Lab.

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