Vancouver Aquarium says rescued false killer whale doing well despite wounds
The Vancouver Aquarium has published a blog post with a status update on its new and youngest resident, a false killer whale named Chester.
The aquarium’s marine mammal curator, Brian Sheehan, is quoted saying Chester is responding to trainers and adapting to the tank he shares with a Pacific white-sided dolphin named Helen.
“His integration with Helen continues to exceed our expectations,” Sheehan said. “We’re seeing increased frequency in the number of interactions between the two involving tactile, active play sessions as well as calm swims with each other.”
The aquarium’s head veterinarian, Martin Haulena, is similarly quoted saying Chester is adjusting well to his new environment.
Haulena cautions that as an animal that is still very young, Chester may acquire “scratches and abrasions” as he explores his surroundings and gets to know the dolphin better.
“It’s normal for dolphins and whales to give each other superficial wounds as they establish dominance and let each other know what is all right and what is not,” Haulena said. “In fact, Chester was found stranded with several old rake mark scars already.”
The blog post also notes that Chester’s dorsal fin has begun to curve. That change is also described as normal.
“Rehabilitated whales and dolphins can display a curved dorsal fin,” it reads. “While this is a natural condition of cetaceans in long-term care, and is not harmful to the animal, it does look different.”
Haulena explained further: “During his weakest period, Chester had to be supported at the surface around-the-clock by staff and volunteers in special support slings for a long period of time during his rehabilitation,” he said. “As a result, Chester’s fin started to fall to the side. Now, because he’s spending more time under water, playing and interacting with Helen, it’s beginning to straighten up.”
Chester was rescued by Vancouver Aquarium staff in July 2014 after the animal was found alone and stranded on North Chesterman Beach on the west side of Vancouver Island.
The aquarium’s August 19 blog post also mentions a wound on Chester’s chin.
“He does have a superficial abrasion healing there now which was from an attention-seeking interaction from a trainer at a window,” Haulena said.
On August 2, CBC News reported Ingrid Visser, a marine biologist visiting Vancouver from New Zealand, suggested the wound on Chester’s chin was the result of self-harming behavior.
“Chester has some self-mutilation on him," Visser said. “You can see it on his jaw and open wounds. Looks like he's been doing it for a while.”
“This is the sort of thing you see in all captive whales and dolphins and they just shouldn't be kept in concrete tanks,” Visser told CBC News.
That article also quotes a whale and dolphin specialist named Robin Baird expressing skepticism about the chin wound resulting from self-harming behavior.
“I don't think I can see anything which would suggest the animal is self-mutilating," Baird said. "It seems like a bit of a stretch.”
In May 2015, the Straight reported that Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Vancouver Aquarium had decided Chester would remain at its facility in Stanley Park and not be rereleased into the wild.
Comments
13 Comments
Tim Zimmermann
Aug 27, 2015 at 1:27pm
It should be noted for clarity sake that Ingrid Visser visited not as a guest of the aquarium but on her own volition. It should also be noted that she is a strong proponent against cetaceans in captivity.
Devin
Aug 27, 2015 at 1:35pm
“Rehabilitated whales and dolphins can display a curved dorsal fin,” it reads. “While this is a natural condition of cetaceans in long-term care, and is not harmful to the animal, it does look different.”....“While this is a natural condition of cetaceans in long-term care..."
Amazing what money can do to even a scientist's expert's opinion.
Sure, the whale is physically deformed after being in captivity for less than a single year, but don't worry. That's all good and perfectly normal...
Oh Tim
Aug 27, 2015 at 1:41pm
It should also be noted for clarity sake that Brian Sheehan, Martin Haulena, and everybody quoted in this article except for Ingrid Visser are strong advocates in favour of cetaceans in captivity.
Old333
Aug 27, 2015 at 3:16pm
Whales in captivity live a few years. Whales on the loose live for decade upon decade. Why not release said beast after treating its wounds?
Why on earth
Aug 27, 2015 at 3:39pm
Would this animal not be re-released back into its natural environment!? Put that poor thing back where it belongs - EVEN IF there is an increased risk of mortality
Vancouver203
Aug 27, 2015 at 4:27pm
You say that the Vancouver Aquarium decided that Chester would remain in its facility. They don't make that decision, it's Oceans and Fisheries Canada who always make that call and then posts the reasons why. If an animal can be released, it is released.
Pia G
Aug 27, 2015 at 4:46pm
it's not just an "increased risk of mortality", it's a 100% certaintly of death. Chester was barely a couple of months old when he was stranded and False Killer Whales spend the first two years of their life depending on their mothers for food and then another 4-6 years learning how to hunt and evade predators before heading out on their own. Chester has NO ability to fend for himself and will most certainly die if dumped in the ocean. That is considered cruelty and is exactly why the DFO (not the Aquarium) decided Chester needed to remain in care. Doctor Haulena heads the Marine Mammal Rescue Center and to say his only insterest is captivity is ridiculous, his first priority, along with everyone else at MMR, is to rehab for release, always. But why am I surprised the Georgia Straight is getting their facts wrong, again.
Travis Lupick
Aug 27, 2015 at 4:48pm
@Vancouver203, you're correct. I tweaked the sentence in question.
I'll take this opportunity to note, when that May 2015 decision was made to keep the false killer whale in captivity, I interviewed the aquarium about it and placed calls to DFO. The aquarium refused to answer my questions and DFO didn't even respond to my request for an interview. Through what few brief comments I did get, the impression I was left with is that it is highly questions the DFO's decision-making process around such matters is really independent.
Skeptic
Aug 27, 2015 at 4:55pm
@ Vancouver203, you really think so?
Vancouver203
Aug 27, 2015 at 5:04pm
Skeptic, yes the Department of Oceans and Fisheries has to give a reason that a marine mammal isn't fit for release and make those reasons public. I know people in the comments above seem to think it's a good idea to throw a wounded animal back in the sea and hope for the best but I'm glad the checks and balances are there to counter that.
And Travis, if that's what you suspect then please do a story on that.