JRE #1297 – Phil Demers

This podcast features Phil Demers, a former professional marine mammal trainer who worked at Marineland in Canada. Demers discusses his controversial departure from Marineland and his ongoing lawsuit against the company, highlighting the ethical and legal complexities of keeping marine mammals in captivity. He also delves into the broader issue of marine mammal captivity, advocating for its end, and sheds light on the global trade of these animals. Throughout the conversation, he shares personal anecdotes, insights into the industry, and the emotional toll of his activism.

Here are 15 major topics discussed in the podcast:

1. Phil Demers’ Imprinting on Smushi the Walrus: Demers explains his unique bond with Smushi, a walrus he trained at Marineland. He claims that Smushi imprinted on him, believing him to be her mother, due to a traumatic experience she faced after being wild-caught. This connection became a major point of contention when he left Marineland.
2. Demers’ Departure from Marineland and Subsequent Lawsuit: Demers details his decision to speak out against the conditions at Marineland, leading to his termination. He alleges that Marineland retaliated by filing a lawsuit against him, accusing him of plotting to steal Smushi. This lawsuit has dragged on for years, with Marineland attempting to silence Demers.
3. The Ethical Concerns of Marine Mammal Captivity: Demers passionately argues against keeping dolphins and orcas in captivity, drawing parallels to slavery and highlighting the cruelty of confining highly intelligent, social animals in small tanks. He emphasizes the emotional and psychological damage inflicted on these creatures.
4. The Global Trade in Whales and Dolphins: Demers reveals the growing market for marine mammals in China and discusses the concerning situation in Russia, where a large number of wild-caught Belugas and Orcas are being held in captivity. He fears that Marineland’s efforts to sell their animals to China could validate Russia’s actions.
5. The Passing of Bill S-203 in Canada: Demers celebrates the impending passage of Bill S-203, a national ban on whale and dolphin captivity in Canada. This legislation would end breeding, importing, and exporting of these animals, representing a significant victory for animal rights advocates.
6. Marineland’s Attempts to Suppress Demers and His Activism: Demers describes Marineland’s aggressive tactics to silence him, including lawsuits, harassment, and attempts to sabotage his activism. He reveals that the company has taken steps to prevent him from attending demonstrations and even hired security to monitor him.
7. The Role of Lawyers and the Court System: Demers criticizes the legal system’s role in facilitating corporate abuse, highlighting the financial and emotional burden of lawsuits. He expresses his desire for a trial, aiming to expose Marineland’s actions and seek justice for himself and the animals.
8. The Financial Burden of the Lawsuit: Demers openly discusses the financial strain of the lawsuit, revealing that he has spent all his savings defending himself. He encourages listeners to contribute to his GoFundMe campaign, highlighting the need for financial support to continue his fight.
9. Negotiations with Marineland: Demers details the negotiations with Marineland, focusing on the company’s reluctance to release Smushi. He emphasizes the lack of good faith on their part and his unwavering commitment to securing Smushi’s release.
10. The Impact of John Holder’s Death on Marineland: Demers discusses the passing of John Holder, the former owner of Marineland, and its potential impact on the lawsuit. He suggests that the new leadership may be more open to negotiations, as they aim to transition the business away from marine mammal captivity.
11. The Importance of Public Awareness: Demers stresses the need for public awareness about the realities of marine mammal captivity and the ethical issues involved. He believes that greater understanding will lead to a paradigm shift in attitudes towards these animals.
12. The Rise of “Baby Walruses” in Captivity: Demers highlights the trend of captive facilities showcasing baby walruses as a new, marketable attraction. He sees this as a cynical attempt to replace the dwindling popularity of orcas and dolphins.
13. The Role of Zoos and Accreditation: Demers expresses skepticism towards zoo accreditation, arguing that it serves as a club for the industry to protect their interests and avoid meaningful oversight. He calls for greater transparency and accountability within the zoological community.
14. The Whale Sanctuary Project: Demers discusses the Whale Sanctuary Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating sanctuaries for retired and rescued whales and dolphins. He sees this project as a positive step towards a more humane future for these animals.
15. The Need for Change: Demers concludes the podcast with a call to action, urging listeners to support the movement for ending marine mammal captivity. He believes that the time has come for a fundamental shift in our relationship with these intelligent creatures.

5 Memorable Quotes from the Podcast:

1. “It’s important to stress that she thinks I’m her mom. If she was a baby, she was a baby when she came in, so she was wild caught. And you can imagine, probably witness her mother get slaughtered.” – Demers recounts the traumatic experience of Smushi, a wild-caught walrus who imprinted on him.
2. “I’m a first-time mom should be stressed.” – Demers humorously describes his emotional state when he learned about Smushi’s condition after leaving Marineland.
3. “We gotta stop doing that with dolphins and orcas. It’s gonna be thought of the same way we think about slavery today. It’s that it’s horrific.” – Demers draws a powerful parallel between slavery and the captivity of intelligent marine mammals.
4. “I’m gonna make you famous. And I’m gonna make you famous. And I’m gonna make you famous.” – Demers shares his bold strategy for pressuring politicians to support Bill S-203.
5. “It’s like finding aliens and just keeping them in a cage somewhere.” – Demers uses a powerful analogy to describe the absurdity of keeping intelligent marine mammals in captivity.