Wolves of the Sea

Hush

Kasatka was euthanized yesterday evening after her health continued to decline. 

This is a heartbreaking but unsurprising loss after the pictures coming out of SeaWorld showed her immune system was likely compromised resulting in extensive skin legions. 

This does however signal a change in SeaWorlds behaviour as never before have they euthanized one of their Orca, even when others such as Tili and Unna were gravely ill. This can only be a positive step, I have always been horrified by SeaWorlds past practice of letting their whales die horrible lingering deaths (and others have suspected they lacked a method to euthanized such large animals), but now they have proven they have a way to euthanize Orca and I hope they’ll continue to make such decisions with future dying animals.

Rest in peace Kassy, your suffering is over, its time to head home.

SeaWorld’s Killer Whale Kasatka Has Died

SeaWorld:

We are saddened to share the passing of Kasatka today (August 15, 2017) at SeaWorld San Diego. Following lengthy treatment for a bacterial respiratory infection, or lung disease, Kasatka’s health and appetite significantly declined over the past several days, despite continually tailored treatments. Kasatka’s veterinarians, who are experts in marine animal medicine, and her caretakers made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her to prevent compromising her quality of life. Kasatka was the beloved matriarch of our orca family. A mother of four, grandmother of six and great grandmother of two, she was considered by the most current research as an older killer whale at nearly 42 years old. Kasatka passed away at approximately 8:15 p.m. surrounded by members of her pod, as well as the veterinarians and caretakers who loved her. All of us at SeaWorld are deeply saddened by this loss, but thankful for the joy she has brought us and more than 125 million park guests.

6/25/17 - Amazing breach sequence!

Photo by Gary Sutton, via Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching - Cowichan Bay:

Right Whale: It has an upside-down head — a bold move that pays off.

Sperm Whale: Has a silly name but really excels in all areas of being a whale: staying underwater, fighting squid, spraying sonar around the sea, looking like an ocean bus. Having teeth rather than baleen means not having to eat krill.

Narwhal: Sea unicorn that has ocean sword fights. Slightly less cool when you realize its horn is actually a big tooth, making it the whale version of this.

Orca: Doesn’t look anything like the other whales and hangs out around the Pacific Northwest, so it’s basically the hipster whale. Eats real food like seals rather than krill. Was in Free Willy, but, then again, was in Free Willy. Kind of an asshole, but you can’t argue with success. Secret shame: actually a dolphin.

Humpback Whale: Basic canonical whale. Has good press. Bit too mainstream, really.

Beluga Whale: Ongoing experiment in whether white privilege applies to cetaceans.

Blue Whale: Coasting on its size; must try harder.

Gray Whale: Blue whale that’s smaller and more boring.

Minke Whale: Kinda puny for a whale.

Fin Whale: Second biggest animal in the world, i.e. the first loser. Described by Roy Chapman Andrews as the “greyhound of the sea,” and we all know what Captain Hank Murphy of Sealab said about greyhounds. (”Too pointy.”)

Beaked whale: You are not a bird, please reconsider your choices.