Tippi Hedren: These Animals Are Innocent

Right on!

I absolutely agree it is not the whale's fault that his 12,000 temperament has let fly a couple times in what would be his natural manner. What is un-natural is keeping him confined in a small area and expecting him to perform tricks 3x a day to entertain others.

One of the most unseen victims of the greatest recession in American history that is occurring now and the great economic depression around the world are 'pets' and wild animals in captivity.

With millions of homes across America being foreclosed, all to often the owners dump their cats and dogs on the street to fiend for themselves.

In come country's, these animals are rounded up for food.

City zoo's in America starving for customers and lacking adequate funding for the medical care of its existing animals are going to be forced into making difficult decisions on their future.

Many States across America are on the very brink of bankruptcy and very few people realize how far down on the list of critical and essential spending, humane treatment of animals often finds itself.

As part of a US collegiate speech team, one of my speeches was to inform the audience of Russia's decision to stop its dolphin slaughter and why they suddenly realized continued harm and violence to a very intelligent sentient creature would one day impact all humanity in the future. When is the rest of the world going to come to the same conclusion?

Despite the fact that countless sailors have been rescued from drowning by Dolphins thru-out history and saved from shark attacks by dolphins, I find it entirely ironic that the US Navy trains dolphins to be suicide bombers to place live mines onto ships to blow them up and to kill anyone swimming in the water near its warships!

Although Killer Whales, Orchas are among the large family lineage of the playful Dolphins, they are not pet kittys any more than Lions and Tigers which are simply cats also.

Everyone on the planet knows how badass large Alligators and Crocodiles are. The most aggressive and hard-core are the salt water Crocodiles which often reach 14-16 feet in length and could snap a person's leg like a tiny dry stick.

A salt water Crocodile would be NO MATCH for Tilly a large bull Orcha Killer Whale who would play with a Salt War Crocodile like a mouse until he was either bored or wanted to smash and crush him into the ocean floor.

Recently National Geographic answered a long asked question, namely Great White Shark vs Orcha's. Orcha's normally travel in pods whereas great white's are loners. Advantage, Orchas and when a great white moved close to a baby Orcha in a pod, the bull Orcha took the great white out, erupted to the surface with that massive shark in his mouth like he was playing with a toy in Sea World!

Massive giants like the Oracha's deserve to be seen and admired in the open Ocean where they are happy to put on a show to their audience after a morning of fishing and feasting.

*** IF INSANITY INSANITY INSANITY IS TO BLAME – HOW IS IT TACKLED TACKLED TACKLED ?????? ?????? ?????? ***
No one ever could rely on INSANITY.
INSANITY leaves only a trail of DESTRUCTION.
Organisations like the F.B.I.(God bless them) are hard-pushed & hard-stretched to cope against similar INSANITIES.
Protecting creatures great & small is an act of SANITY.
Protecting creatures great & small is an act of CARING.
Can anyone protect the ENDANGERED INSANE?
Can we redefine INSANITY in the modern World?
INSANITY = EVERYWHICHWAY TO CRUSH LOVE.
Can INSANE individuals/organisations turn over a new leaf?
Being able to fall back on Commonsense is the Public's recognition of SANITY.

@ A. Smith Oregon.

Excellent post, right on the mark.

Thank you so much for the information you provide to some who do not know the extent of harm we are doing to our world and ourselves in the name of "GREEDY PROFIT"

I have had the good fortune of living on the west coast of our country for two and a half years, and there is nothing more awe espiring than the opportunity to follow a pod of Orcas feeding during the annual salmon run in early fall.

One does have to wonder if they are as intelligent as some believe, just watch how they teach and protect the juvenilles in the pod and you cannot help but come away totally convinced that family to the Orcas is a important as family is important to we humans.

Sorry, not espiring, but inspiring.

I think I need a little sleep Ha! Ha!

@ALL,so happy others get this!these magnificent creatures belong where they are free,and to be with others in the seas.'Man has dominated man to his own injury'.Solomons wisdom still holds true!Love MariaC.

A. Smith, Oregon

Beautifully stated! The compassion for animals and your kindness to remind us is your hallmark! Thank You!

@ Gerald, Dodie, thank-you for your kind comments! Indeed, a excellent Summer Solstice treat for those on the West Coast of the United States is to travel to the Pacific Ocean coastline and watch the whales during their migration.

One of my favorite dinner and watering holes was a very large restaurant high up on a large cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean where I would meet with friends and family to watch the whales swim by and leap thru the water as they surfaced to the oohs and awe's of their adoring fans and audience.

Certainly not the whale's fault and I'm glad most people realize that. However, if they are released, they need protection in the wild. Japan, and other nations, are still hunting and killing whales and dolphins. There is an article in the current National Geographic that is about the hunting of wolves in America. They used to be protected but are now hunted for sport. They live in the western states, but they belong to all of us. They are America's wildlife and if we don't protect them they will be gone. I urge all of you to read the article and if you are appalled, as I was, call your Senator, Congressman, and President and tell them you want federal government protection for America's magnificent creatures. And ask them to support international efforts to pressure other countries to stop the slaughter. Seals, tigers, elephants, whales, wolves, bears – to name a few all need help. They can't protect themselves and if we don't do it no one will.

…good job Tippi, taking on Seaworld, go for it ! I think it’s cruel also to shoot and kill deer and moose as trophies ….in some cases hunting for food is needed,but not for entertainment purposes. Save the Whales – Love the Birds

CALI4U

@ A. Smith, Oregon February 26th, 2010 5:43 pm ET

Good comments.

You wouldn't believe it..........but HUMANS are also MAMMALS. I had to google it to make sure it was correct.......... as had forgotten from school-days when we were taught this. Brain getting a bit rusty now as getting older, afraid.

That's why we have some similar traits to these animals.

There are a lot of other abuses of animals going on around the world in different countries, at the moment. It is a shame on all humans.

Larry, SeaWorld should now release the whales
back into the wild where they belong! Killing the
trainer was not the whale's fault whatsoever.
SeaWorld is wrong in force the whales to stay
in a small area against their will. The company
ought to face a lawsuit for violating the whales'
rights.

The US Senate should craft a bill that would make it illegal to keep any Orcha Whale in captivity over 1/2 of its expected lifespan before releasing that Orcha Whale back into the Ocean.

I can think of no greater memorial to the brave and dedicated Sea World trainer Dawn Brancheau who tragically lost her life showing the world how beautiful and graceful these huge sentient creatures are.

Oregonians rescued Willie-Kiko a female Orcha Whale from a Mexican resort tank and after medical rehab successfully released Willie-Kiko back to the Ocean where she lived free for her last 10 years and died as a free Orcha Whale with her pod mates.

I feel very sorry for the trainers family. But as a trainer of such large animals, she was well aware of the risks involved. I have no problems with animals being in captivity,as long as they have good care, I do however have a problem with wild animals being trained to do tricks etc. When wild animals of any kind are expected to do things against their nature, and handlers become to comfortable and forget they are wild, even for a second accidents are going to happen. No one should place blame on the Whale or the trainer, she was doing what she loved.

Thanks so much for this blog. And, thank the great photographers who make many wonderfull sights of our wild world available. Why can't we be satisfied with videos and save our many innocent world companions from the degradation and cruelty of captivity.

I keep a once ferral cat to keep him from starving but I can't condone some of the things people do like pulling nails; it is bad enough to sterilize them but doing that can keep more poor little kittens from roaming the streets and starving. Same with canines. But lets not get so many wild animals propagating in unnatural circumstances that these practices need to be practised on them.

I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read this and see so many people agreed on stopping the carnagie.

I read Tom Joyce February 26th, 2010 10:11 pm ET
They live in the western states, "
"Certainly not the whale's fault and I'm glad most people realize that. However, if they are released, they need protection in the wild. Japan, and other nations, are still hunting and killing whales and dolphins. There is an article in the current National Geographic that is about the hunting of wolves in America. They used to be protected but are now hunted for sport. "
It doesn't make me happy to see/hear of any animal being hunted ...BUT..If they are in an area where they are over populated and there is nowhere to move them, they will eventually become victims of diseases, become weak and propagate inferior DNA. descendence and die out.

This happened some years back around, i think, Blue Springs Mo.
Fox were over populating and ended up dying out with skin diseases, paracites, starving. Unless action is taken to hold population/range to a livable balance, like selective neutering or hunting. Think California having same problem with fox.

Overpopulated Game animals should only be hunted for food or warmth like the Buffalo and dear etc.

I wish I knew a better answer, but I used to hunt but used in season hunts and used the food and respected the animal/fowl. Not for the glamour.

I think beau, a beautiful flower,i thnk love and peace.

I agree.

less bottocks more brains the crusades????? the cristians fed tolions lady who teaches u history antonio banderas the crusades were 1000 yrs after the romans and coliseum woof

I agree that all wild animals should live and remain, just that, wild. In a perfect world that would be the case. Realistically however, some animals are not able to do that because of interference caused by Human Populations.

We build new homes, shopping centers, recreational facilities etc. When there is no more habitat for these animals to live "in the wild," then what? Or when they move in too close to our schools and our kids, and people feed these "wild animals." Subsequently, habituating them to human interactions with people thus resulting in the animal being destroyed. THAT is insanity.

And even animals that live free and wild are sought out and hunted, and poach for mere sport or fun.

The solution does not need to start with "freeing the killer whales," it needs to start with education and erradication of ignorance amoungst the people.

side note: if you want to put an "animal rights activist" on national TV...Make sure she ( Tippi) looks and comes across as well versed, not dumb blonde!

I totally agree w tippi and Richard. These other "lobbyists" justify themselves and their Industry and thads attitude and denegration of tippi was real high school stuff. I am now more than ever against any sea world, circuse or animal race. I have never been to sea world and will never go. That's my boycott and I'm sticking to it.

Mz

I didn't get to see Tippi and missed the news about the trainers' death.. I began checking the news it is indeed a sad, terrible
thing to have happened. My condolance to her loved ones.

bear with me..my spelling and typing is worse this time of day. Start to type a word and mind goes blank.

I agree we are gradually crowding all other living things off the earth. I see the bulldozers ripping out acres of trees and native grasses to build what ever will make money and make homes for the ever expanding population. I, not for money, but for a place to live my "good life" did the same thing. I did what I could to give some protection for the local nature inhabitants but even the act of cutting down several trees effected the local balance of nature. Even the rabbits, chamelians and neutral snakes were ooched out despite my trying not to disturb them.

If everything is done that would solve the problems, the cost of the various protective programs would be humongus. I do think that the various Federal, State and private money / organizations are doing a lot to handle some of the problems; like when the Buffalo overpopulated one area, some of them were removed to another suitable area and also so many each year were allocated to various tribes for food, Bears are moved from over populated to areas where they can have more room. These examples are just a drop in a bucket of the many programs existing. Health problems are being attended to, Men and equipment, medicine, On many instances population can be balanced only by declaring open season on game. If it isn't done then the herds will become contaminated and that is worse for the herd than being hunted, IMHO.

I think that all of us folks who get all teary-eyed over what is happening to our Wild population need to put our money where our mouth is and try to donate as much as we can **according to what we have available. **

Maybe this would help cover expenses to handle a few more programs to fix some of the problems.

If it were to come about, I don't think it a good idea to toss all the animals back into the wild before they are acclimated for the change.
I'm not smart enough to have all the answers. And that's all I'm gonna say.

Ok, No one is talking about thinning out herds due to disease & over population. You're rambling off topic.

I am referring to endagered animals or ones teetering on the verge, due to human hunting/ poaching for trophies or fun. Or animals that have no other choice but to live & be cared for in a captive enviornment because otherwise they WILL be extinct! Which means we no longer will have an oppoutunity to "repopulate" them "somewhere else" or achieve any scientific information which might be benifical in the future

And if more people thought a wee bit more about balance & co-existing and a little less about living "the good life " in "your" surroundings, maybe we might not have to put so much "money where our mouth is."

oh and FYI: there were never any "buffalo" relocated to any "suitable areas" in north america. They are called BISON....Water Buffalo live only in Africa.

Regarding the 'Buffalo' mentioned, that is their traditional name, even if not scientifically correct.
Further, your country is SLAUGHTERING the last wild herd in the US in a NATIONAL PARK. (along with the re-introduced wolves that we,Canada, were asked for) They have 'reduced' the herd by 3000. They do it in a very cruel manner, chasing cows from the calving grounds with helicopter, while some miscarry, some die, calves die, etc.
AS for the Orca, it would have been relevant if they had mentioned that there are 2 types of Orca: the salmon hunting kind, very gentle, don't travel very far; and the mammal hunting kind who eat seals and have been known to attack a grey whale and her calf, kill the calf and leave it. There are cruel animals – our species is full of them. Primates and Orcas have been shown to murder for no apparent reason. perhaps Tillicum is of this type, has gone insane from the lack of stimulation, company (his family) and being forced to perform. He got pissed off.This was preventable, The owners know that, they put their employees at risk, then pay off the families and make them sign a secrecy agreement. How many have actually !!! been injured or died that we don't know of?

I am fully aware of that sad fact, regarding the wolves and Bison. (" traditional" or "scientific" difference w/ name) it is still incorrect. Buffalo & Bison are actually an all together different speices...google it & learn.

And I do believe however, hunting wolves is also done in Canada as well. As for the statement about the "slaughtering" of the last wild BISON herd in a "us national park" ( yellowstone national park, located In & spanning Wyomming, Idaho, and Montana...FALSE.

Unfortunately the migrating animals are not aware of land borders. When they are in Yellowstone they are protected. Once they cross that border their fate unfortunately is in he hands of the local farmers and or residents.

It is an awful & unfair reality which I personally don't agree with or condone. But if you are going to reply to previously posted blogs in a surly fashion, please get your facts right

Yes,American Bison (Bison/Buffalo) is a North American species of bison, also commonly known as the American Buffalo. Tomatos/Tomotos...Most Americans in the U.S. expecially in the Western and probably northern areas refer to them as "Buffalo." Been like that for nearly 80 yrs that I know of, and as far back as late 17 humdreds, but due to slaughter by European immigrants they quickly became almost extinct and put on protected list.

I don't think that any of us have an answer as how to keep the various species of mammals from becoming extinct. I think we should try, but it is a changing world and while many can be saved we still have to have a way to have some controll over the population. But it must be done in a humane way. It takes a lot of man hours and money for all the programs that are in place and many more need to be instigated.

And yes, I cleared a nice little place off...and built a home on it. Am I supposed to appologize that I chose to do that rather than become homeless? Ever hear the word 'knit-pickin.'?