(There is nothing better then viewing orcas in their natural environments)
On Feb 24, 2010, the world was moved (through the media) by the topic of killer whales or orcas. To begin with, NOAA (National Marine Fisheries Service) had posted the many comments that came into them from all around the Pacific Northwest and the world in response to better protecting the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population. An overwhelming response is clear irregardless of differing opinions, indicating how much people actually care for orcas. Next, the film “Saving Luna” (about L98 the solitary orca and ambassador from the SRKW population) aired in the UK and was shaking the core of people. I received many comments (of a tragic nature) on my flickr photos and youtube videos. Thirdly, a Sea World orca named Tilikum (Icelandic born) killed his trainer, a 40 year old woman named Dawn Brancheau in front of an entire audience. RIP Dawn and my condolences to those affected by this. This animal has been involved with 2 other deaths in the past yet is still captive and interacted with for profit. Experts around the world are speaking out. For a more detailed look at that event and others you can go to my blog orcinus orca.
I would like to point out that 3 events, one discussing the “lively hood” of orcas, one discussing the “spirituality” of orcas, and one of the “physicality” of orcas are playing out all through the power of technology. Body, mind and soul. This is most definitely a communicative event between orcas and humans on the topic of interactivity. What is the message? From my perspective, the message is that we as a species need to learn and to listen to other species in a new way. The topic of orcas has been dominating the media for a few days now while the tragic death of the trainer continues to baffle people world wide. The anti-captivity movement is mobilized and pushing their message with force – to help free captive orcas and end the future of captivity. Luna continues to break and take hearts while our Southern Residents future seems uncertain while holding us in that same grip. I would like to point out that their (SRKW) numbers were critically reduced when the capture era removed a large number of orcas for marine parks, and many died in the process and their population has never recovered. See Orca Network for more on this. Ironically, marine parks use the excuse that because their numbers are endangered in the wild and that they swim free in a toxic world, that they need to be preserved in marine parks for future generations. This would not be the case for our SRKW, if the population had not been so devastatingly disturbed in the first place. None the less, all of these three events are directly connected and are actively playing out at once.
So WHAT is going on? It most definitely has many people’s attention. For years I have had dreams and visions about orcas… many that have come true and I know many other people are experiencing this but are remaining hush hush about it because we have conditioned ourselves into thinking that that can’t really be the case, that we are crazy or that others will think we are crazy. In that process our species completely undermines the intelligence of other species . But it all brings my attention to a much bigger question; what are they telling us? Are they telling us something? Or have we completely gone insane? I would like to know what you are thinking? It’s time our species deflated from an illusive egotistical and arrogant state and pay attention to the universal language. I started to feel something around this topic many years ago and embarked on my own investigation starting in 1997 which has lead me here. We are in an important time in the history of this planet as many things are calling for our attention, please pay attention and respond mindfully… I am going to call this moment the “Orca Alignment”. For me, it’s an obvious moment in my history that cannot be ignored.
