Wild Orca (Tory Kallman / Shutterstock.com)
Whales have made a major resurgence on the internet in the past few weeks. They’re everywhere. Partially, it’s because activists (many inspired by the Blackfish documentary on captive Orcas), experienced a major victory in November when Seaworld announced its plans to close its live whale shows in San Diego. It’s also simply because people have always had an obsession with our ocean-bound, mammalian counterparts, and scientific advancements are giving us even more access into their previously closed off world.
From National Geographic exposés to TED Talks devoted to the subject, we want to know more about our highly intelligent, aquatic neighbors. Below, you’ll find a sampling of our favorite viral whale sensations from social media.
Southern Right Whales Swimming Peacefully
This video of two whales swimming serenely with an Aussie paddleboarder was nearly everywhere for the past few weeks. Set to Jack Johnson’s cover of Imagine, the video showcases two rarely-seen Southern Right Whales gently investigating the human floating beside them before swimming off.
One of Goodnet’s editors described the video as “instant relaxation” - and for good reason
A Bathtub Isn’t Big Enough for Even a Toy Orca
A powerful new commercial from Munchkin toys calls on freeing all orcas - toys included. The company has discontinued its orca bathtub toys as a show of solidarity for live, captive orcas, explaining that “after 10 years of making a toy orca whale, we've decided to put our principles before our profits. Because a bathtub isn't big enough for an orca.”
Seaworld to #EmptyTheTanks?
The new hashtag #EmptyTheTanks represents marine activists’ mission to close entertainment parks that use whales and dolphins. It seems that all this activism is coming to fruition, as Seaworld San Diego announced its plans to end its orca show in 2016.
What's Next for Captive Whales?
Although the Seaworld announcement constitutes a major victory for activists, the future of the park’s whales is uncertain, and many other captive whales in sea parks all over the world still remain in captivity in the entertainment industry.
SIGN & SHARE! It's time for SeaWorld to END all orca shows >> http://chn.ge/1PSrlhL #EmptyTheTanks #StartWith1Thing
Posted by The Cove on Monday, November 23, 2015
Activists Experienced Another Big Victory - Almost Immediately
Another monumental advancement came when Congressman Adam Schiff introduced the Orca Act.
This week, I formally introduced the ORCA Act to responsibly phase out keeping orcas in captivity for public display. Read more: http://goo.gl/rmr9Qv
Posted by Congressman Adam Schiff on Friday, November 20, 2015
A Neuron Looks the Same in the Mind of a Bird, a Crayfish or You
This TED Talk couldn’t come too soon. Marine scientist Carl Safina explores the question about animals’ interior lives: do they feel, think and empathise, he asks, or are these uniquely human qualities?
Using whales and dolphins as prime examples, Safina unpacks this question in a riveting talk.
Seaworld Trainers Are Out Of Work - and Heading to Conan
The announcement that Seaworld is closing one of its live whale shows has whale trainers scrambling to find work. Lucky for them, Conan has stepped up to provide these out-of-work performers a new gig - a decision he may regret.
