“Orca Hour: From Free Willy to SeaWorld” Now Available on Youtube

Sep 17, 2020 | Mark J. Palmer

Topics:

The International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute presents... ORCA HOUR: From Free Willy to SeaWorld

Watch our stimulating presentation and Q&A with Earth Island Institute’s Executive Director David Phillips and General Counsel Sumona Majumdar. Hear inside stories about the impact of Free Willy and Keiko’s journey to freedom, and compelling info about the Blackfish effect, the evolution of public attitudes toward marine mammals held in captivity, and IMMP’s legal efforts to end orca captivity.

For thousands of years whales and dolphins have captured the imagination and awe of people around the world, and for more than 35 years the International Marine Mammal Project has been working globally to keep them wild and free.

IMMP formed the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation to successfully rehabilitate and release Keiko, the orca star of the hit movie Free Willy, back to his home waters of Iceland after years in captivity. IMMP is also spearheading a landmark lawsuit against SeaWorld contending the theme park should tell the public the truth about the health and welfare of orcas in captivity.

Your questions answered: Watch for our blog of responses to questions submitted by viewers during Orca Hour, to be posted shortly.

Speakers:

David Phillips: Executive Director at Earth Island Institute, International Marine Mammal Project

Biologist David Phillips serves as Executive Director of Earth Island Institute, an international nonprofit conservation organization founded by David R. Brower and headquartered in Berkeley, California. From 1978-1984, David was director of Wildlife Conservation for Friends of the Earth. In 1982, he co-founded Earth Island Institute, serving as co-executive director and specializing in international marine wildlife conservation. He directs Earth Island Institute’s International Marine Mammal Project. David has been a non-governmental representative to numerous international marine conventions, including the International Whaling Commission, and has testified before the U.S. Congress on marine mammal protection, endangered species conservation, and the impacts of trade on the environment. Read David's full bio: http://savedolphins.eii.org/about/staff/

Sumona Majumdar: General Counsel at Earth Island Institute

Sumona Majumdar is Earth Island Institute’s (EII’s) General Counsel and head of Earth Island Advocates, coordinating legal and litigation work for the Institute. Sumona primarily grew up in metro-Detroit, Michigan, and obtained her undergraduate degree from the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan. Shortly after graduation, she went off to Morocco as a Peace Corps volunteer where she worked on several environmental projects. After completing her service, Sumona moved to Washington, DC to attend Georgetown University Law Center where she focused on environmental law. Upon graduation, Sumona joined the Environmental Enforcement Section at the U.S. Department of Justice and spent the first seven years of her legal career litigating Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Superfund cases against major companies and other entities. Read more about Sumona: https://www.earthisland.org/index.php/advocates/interview-with-sumona-majumdar

Acknowledgements:

Huge thanks to our partner for this event, Blue Endeavors, a Berkeley, CA non-profit that promotes marine conservation through student scholarships, citizen science, exploration, and restoration. Special shout-out to Brenda Heckathorne for generous tech and promo support.

We are grateful to our video providers: Theresa Demarest for footage from her film Keiko: The Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy and orca footage from Stan Minasian.

For more special presentations like this, please consider sending a donation to support our educational and action work to protect whales, dolphins and their ocean habitat. Your donations are tax deductible and will help us mount more presentations about whales and dolphins. Thank you!