I think, longterm, they’re gonna be phased out. I think legislation is going to phase them out simply because social media and the activists are gonna win. And many people now are questioning the keeping citations in captivity. Read More
Why do you think that feeling seems to have increased over the past few years?… Read More
Because of the disinformation that’s out there. People aren’t hearing parts of the story. And they don’t wanna know the complete truth so they just form their opinions and move on. And, unfortunately, once zoos and the aquariums give up marine mammal, the next species that’s in line is the… Read More
Do you think the benefits of maintaining these marine mammals, which you’ve talked about, has just not been conveyed well enough?… Read More
Why do you think aquariums, more specifically, marine mammal facilities, always seem to be a bit on the outside with the general zoo community?… Read More
I think simply because of the attacks that we’re getting. As one friend of mine said to me, “I’m in the Midwest. I don’t have marine mammals. I don have a problem. I don’t want one. I’m gonna just play ostrich for a while.” That’s my comment. “If I hide… Read More
But what do you think is then the future for maintaining marine mammals, specifically dolphins and killer whales in captivity?… Read More
I think it’s a disastrous idea. I think, in the long run, HSUS doesn’t want zoos and aquariums. They don’t want animals in people’s lives. They’ve said that repeatedly. Unless the boss of that organization is gonna have to radically change, which I don’t think that’s where the fundraising comes… Read More
So what would be your advice to zoos and aquariums in preparing to deal with these animal rights liberation groups?… Read More
I think they have to have a good message, a strong messenger. They have to be consistent, and they have to raise the standards of poorer zoos, roadside zoos where we just seem to be ignoring them saying, “Well, they’re not accredited. We don’t want any part of them. They’re… Read More
The family should work together. Read More
Can you give us your thoughts on how best to deal with these groups?… Read More
I think you have to take them head on with a knowledgeable approach, with the truth, with science, make the science understandable, common sense, meaning you can’t muddle around in deep, dark science about, “This is published down here.” The public needs to hear it. “This is the simple explanation. Read More
What do you think about HSUS and the budding relationship with the zoo and aquarium community?… Read More
How do we connect the dots, again, to somebody small to somebody big?… Read More
You wanna let them in?… Read More
(woman speaks faintly) What should be the focus of the marine mammal collections in North America?… Read More
I think the focus really should be on the genetic stability of it and the evolving husbandry care. I hope people aren’t thinking they know everything and they should continue to work it. I think they should also make sure they understand that they’re getting picked on by the animal… Read More
What would you say a smaller or medium-sized marine mammal facility today can they do to be involved in the wildlife conservation nationally or internationally?… Read More
I think, nationally to begin with, a lot of them could certainly be involved with holding one gender of certain species. For instance, then we go back to that walrus explanation, if one small aquarium could take care of two or three males for 10 months out of the year… Read More