Entertainment or Exploitation? Dive Into Sea Mammals in Captivity 

Marine mammals living in captivity may appear happy and healthy, but the harsh reality is the aquatic entertainment industry exploits the animals for profit. Here’s why they deserve to roam free.  

Orca show at SeaWorld. roger4336. CC BY-SA 2.0

The definition of a cetacean is a marine mammal, but they are better known as dolphins, porpoises and whales. While not everyone has viewed these creatures in their natural habitats, there is a good chance they have been seen closer to home at a local zoo or aquatic institution. However, these businesses are in possession of cetaceans for entertainment purposes, not the well-being of the actual animals. 

As breathtaking as it may be to see an orca, whale, or dolphin right in front of your face, these creatures have complex ways of thinking and living that cannot be maintained in a glass tank. Cetaceans are social animals, similar to humans, who thrive off interacting with other aquatic mammals. They are also extremely intelligent and need space to explore new concepts and create families. If kept in captivity and separated from their offspring, cetaceans suffer similarly to what a human may experience if they are depressed or anxious: physical ailments, raised stress levels, aggressive temperaments and even premature death. As a result, this changes the demeanor of the animals, and several trainers have been injured or killed over the years. Organizations using cetaceans for entertainment purposes overlook the basic needs of these animals and forgo moral and ethical standards for the benefit of their business. 

SeaWorld is famous for its orca shows, dazzling spectators with what seem to be displays of happy creatures performing tricks willingly but are truly a collection of unhappy animals working for food in unsuitable tanks. Years of cetacean exploitation in this organization—and ones similar to it—were masked as research. SeaWorld claimed to save marine animals who had been injured in the wild by bringing them to their facility and rehabilitating them in a controlled environment. Upon further investigation, these claims were false, as some animals had been forcefully taken from their homes rather than rescued. Companies battled with lawmakers for years over the proposal of a law that would benefit the animals more than the humans in charge of them. The Orca Protection and Safety Act was passed in 2016, banning the breeding, capturing and performing of orcas in California. SeaWorld’s long reign amongst aquatic entertainment organizations crumbled. 

While several states have adopted laws banning the breeding of orcas since then, there are still 59 whales in captivity across the globe and numerous other dolphins and beluga whales in the same situation. In recent years, China and Russia have become popular locations for orca breeding and performing. 

Orcas in the wild. DrTH80. CC BY 2.0

One organization in Canada is now working to rectify the unethical treatment of these animals by creating a space for them to retire and return to the life a cetacean would normally live. The Whale Sanctuary Project is dedicating their time to supporting cetaceans bred and raised in captivity who may be retired, but have no home or family to return to. The Whale Sanctuary Project creates authentic sanctuaries for these animals, large bodies of water with adequate depth where whales, dolphins and porpoises can roam free and interact with other creatures in the same situation. Their work is the first of its kind in North America and will continue to improve the lives of cetaceans in need for years to come. 

GET INVOLVED

Orca Network is a non-profit organization working to spread awareness about orca whales and other aquatic mammals living in captivity. To learn more about orcas, the effects living in captivity has on marine mammals and ways you can directly support these animals, visit Orca Network’s website and consider attending one of their virtual informational events.

Ellie Sabby

Ellie is a senior at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, studying English literature. She is the Chief Online Editor and Chief Art Editor for undergraduate literary and art magazine, The Tower. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, reading anything by Shakespeare, and fulfilling her passion for traveling through a variety of spontaneous trips.

South India on Foot: Breaking Stereotypes One Step At a Time

We all have images in our minds about faraway places and the people that occupy them. Whether accurate or not, these ideas are often put in our heads by the news we consume, school textbooks or social media.

Dawn Lwakila exploring bush-trails in India’s rural Tamil Nadu

I’m one of those folks who likes to go and see for herself. I’ve spent the past 30 years living and traveling across four continents. My roots are in northern Canada—Yukon to be exact. Many would think this to be the absolute opposite in every way from my current home in the big bustling city of Chennai, the capital of India’s southern state, Tamil Nadu. Fortunately, I live on the outskirts of the city which enables me to get into the countryside fairly quickly. I believe it is my small-town roots that have allowed me to feel comfortable and at home in rural settings here in India.

Ganesh temple in Tamil Nadu’s Chengalpattu District.

I love wandering the dreamy hills of Munnar, Kerala.

I’m a wanderer at heart, and I am happiest walking from village to village, hilltop to hilltop. Some days I only walk 15km and other days I may walk more than 40km. I take backroads and bush trails, all the while documenting what I find beautiful with a few photos and videos, posted almost daily on my Instagram. Photography is a wonderful form of storytelling and the tale that I aim to tell isn’t often heard. I have been warned countless times not to walk alone in India. From mainstream media, I have been inundated with images representing India as a place of filth, overcrowding and crime. This has not been my experience.

Mambakkam Lake, Tamil Nadu. I love to leave my house while it’s still dark so that I can reach these magnificent locations at sunrise.

My secret swimming hole.

Over the past several years I have walked through much of South India exploring my home-state of Tamil Nadu as well as Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. There has not been a single incident where I felt threatened or unsafe. Rather, I have been greeted with nothing but kindness and hospitality. I have walked through bustling cities, endless kilometers of road and countless areas of pristine natural beauty, enjoying the entire place all to myself.

Following back-roads in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.

Golden buffalo babies at sunrise.

I choose to go to locations that are off the beaten path. I search Google Maps for interesting features in the landscape and simply go check it out. One of my favorite things to do is follow small backroads from village to village. I cut through farmland and learn when each of the crops is planted and harvested. I find wondrously forgotten temples, tucked away in forests or on hilltops, unvisited except by a few folks from nearby settlements. I prefer to see life slowed down and simplified. For me, rural India offers the most incredible scenery where I am always bound to meet kind-hearted people who offer me smiles, refreshments and places to rest my tired feet.

Misty morning, cutting through the forest at sunrise to find a hidden lake.

Enjoying the coast of Kerala after trekking the highlands.

I feel so grateful for the sense of pride in the beauty of South India my photography has sparked. Many people, especially in the cities of India, have their eyes fixed on international destinations. When they look at tourism in India they often head to large resort towns or famous national parks. There is a sense of surprise when people see my images and learn of places in their own backyards that rival these famous destinations. I have received both local and national media coverage, which boggles my mind, but I guess this is because I’m doing something that the majority of women are not doing and, with a fresh set of eyes, I’m showcasing humble locations that are largely overlooked.

The comment I get the most from people who have never visited India is, “This is not how I pictured India to be.” For me, this is the greatest compliment, as it means that people are reevaluating the impressions they have about this country that is so dear to my heart.

Muttukadu Backwaters at sunrise. This is an important nesting and feeding area for both local and migratory birds.

An old neglected temple in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu.

I like to approach new places with the idea that I’m a simple student and that those around me have something of value to offer. Trying to absorb as much as I can, I chose to share through my photography what intrigues and inspires me. I look for a sense of belonging and what connects me to others. Over the years I have learned that despite the superficial things that mark our differences—language, religion, politics—there is much more that unites us as humans. Step by step I find that all my previous notions about a place are left behind, replaced by a much more balanced and authentic understanding.

Banyan tree. Andhra Pradesh.

Peaceful moments walking from village to village.

Nothing compares to making my way through a new place on foot. The world slows right down and all the little details come into view. Precious moments that could never be captured any other way have become my daily reality. I am grateful for this journey and my hope is that it will inspire others to get out there and explore in a way that allows them to feel intimately connected to the places they visit. 

Feel free to stay up to date with my adventures. You can find me on Instagram @dawned_onme or on Youtube: Wander Woman.

Dawn Lwakila

Dawn continually takes the path less trodden, both figuratively and literally. She loves to really live in a place and grow some roots there — as well as a good wander and the freedom to explore. Canada is her homeland, but her heart and soul are scattered across the globe. She has journeyed through over 30 countries and still has an ever-growing bucket list of new places to experience. She is currently based out of Tamil Nadu India.

Underwater Noise Pollution is Shrinking Whales' Worlds

Human-caused noise pollution impacts sound-reliant species of whales and other marine life. Seismic mapping, shipping and boating traffic mask the acoustic communication systems they’re reliant on. 

Jumping Humpback Whale, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 

When a strand of eight adult female beaked whales were found on the shores of the far-flung Aleutian Islands in Alaska, members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration response team were bewildered. The whales appeared to be healthy, with no major external injuries, but their presence was unusual. What was thought to be a rare occurrence in 2018 has turned out to be part of a recurring pattern. Marine Mammal Science published a study which revealed that since the original discovery of the species, Alaska has had 74 known beaked whale strandings in 42 separate events. 

Military and naval operations in the area were put to a halt in 1997 but the U.S. Geological Survey’s monitors at the Alaska Volcano Observatory have detected human-caused seismic survey activity along the islands. New research suggests that the surveys may have been involved in the mass stranding. Underwater sonic tests are only the latest example of ocean noise pollution cited by environmentalists. Growing concern has spurred research into the potential threats of human-made noise for marine life. 

During seismic surveys, blasts of compressed air produce pulses of sound that analyze the seafloor for natural resources. At 220-250 decibels, these seismic air guns are the loudest noise created by humans underwater, producing a sound louder than a Saturn V rocket during launch. According to an article in Nature, “in the five decades before 1950, researchers recorded just seven mass strandings; but from then to 2004, after the introduction of high-power sonar for naval operations, there were more than 120.”

During the Trump administration, a ban on offshore drilling was lifted and companies from Central Florida to the Northeast were granted permits to carry out seismic mapping for gas and oil exploration. Senior bioacoustics researcher at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Christopher Clark has studied whale communication for 40 years. Clark described the noise produced from seismic mapping as a “living hell” for undersea life.

Another primary contributor to ocean noise is shipping traffic, both commercial and recreational. Between 1950 and 2000 ship traffic doubled, producing an increase in noise of about three decibels per decade. This has led to communication masking — a term used to describe the reduction in the area over which animals are able to acoustically communicate. Research shows that across species, the combination of noise contribution from commercial and recreational vessels led to a reduction in communication range of up to 82%. A recent study found that shipping noise has the potential to double by 2030, further limiting the distance whales and other marine life are able to communicate between.

In the marine ecosystem, where visibility is limited, acoustics are the primary form of communication. For whales, every aspect of their lives is dependent on sound. Many of their species are highly intelligent, social beings who communicate in clicks and songs, and are even known to have their own languages. Some whales and orcas are known to use echolocation, a natural sound wave sonar, to hunt and locate food. Noise masks their expressions between their families, affecting their ability to feed and care for their young, as well as their orientation and ability to detect prey or oncoming ships. 

In 1956, French oceanographer Jacues Cousteau released a documentary misleadingly titled The Silent World, that fed into the misconception of a quiet underwater seascape. Today we know that a healthy ocean isn’t a silent one. The ocean thrives on the familiar sounds of its natural world, sounds that marine life recognizes as home. Lead author ofThe Soundscape of The Anthropocene Ocean Carlos Duarte says that “The soundtrack of home is now hard to hear, and in many cases has disappeared.”

Claire Redden

Claire is a freelance journalist from Chicago, where she received her Bachelor’s of Communications from the University of Illinois. While living and studying in Paris, Claire wrote for the magazine, Toute La Culture. As a freelancer she contributes to travel guides for the up and coming brand, Thalby. She plans to take her skills to London, where she’ll pursue her Master’s of Arts and Lifestyle Journalism at the University of Arts, London College of Communication. 

The Inca’s Sacred Site of Machu Picchu 

Machu Picchu has turned into one of the most visited sites in South America. It’s deep history and architecture draw enthusiasts in. 

Cloudy Machu Picchu. Thibhou. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is believed to have been a royal estate or a sacred religious site. It sits at 7,970 feet above sea level overlooking the Urubamba river and covers 80,000 acres. It’s been estimated to have been built and inhabited in the mid 14th to mid 15th century by the Incas. This archeological site is one of the few well-preserved remnants of the Inca civilization. 

The Incas were very skilled builders; they constructed Machu Picchu using a technique called “Ashlar.” This involves cutting stone so precisely that mortar, a material often used to bind stones together, was unnecessary. Not only did they not use mortar, but  they did all of it without the help of metal to cut the stones. With no record of wheels being used, the stones were likely pushed up the steep mountains by strong men over the years. Built on land frequented by seismic activity, the site has been able to stay intact despite being built atop two fault lines. The stones are called “dancing stones” as they do not break but rather move in rhythm to the earth’s motion when an earthquake occurs. Thus, demonstrating the Incas were intentional when building Machu Picchu. 

Archeologists have identified different sections of the site, making up Machu Picchu: a residential neighborhood, a royal district, a sacred area, and a farming zone. It is believed that the inhabitants harvested potatoes, coca leaves and corn. However, the most appreciated of the three was corn. It was seen as a symbol of power and a sacred state crop. The Inca people grew their food between mountain peaks due to freezing temperatures and uneven terrain. Agriculture terraces were efficient and built as steps into the slopes of the mountain. 

The Agricultural sector. Jorge Lascar. CC BY 2.0

Discovered in July 1911, Machu Picchu was found by Yale graduate and American explorer Hiram Bingham III. Bingham was in search of  Vilcabamba, a secret stronghold mountain used against Spanish rule. However, after many failed attempts at locating it, he arrived in Cusco. He was met by Melchor Arteaga, a Quechua-speaking resident who led Bingham to the ruins of Machu Picchu, which were hidden under vines. The following year, Bingham returned to lead in the excavation of the ruins. While excavating, he was sure that Machu Picchu was Vilcabamba. Still, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that this theory was disputed.

Historians estimate that the population in Machu Picchu was about 1,000-1,200 Inca people. The Incas are believed to have only inhabited the historic site from 1438-1471 and abandoned it a century later due to the Spanish conquest. While escaping to safer locations, the people destroyed any trails and evidence that connected Machu Picchu to the Inca Empire. The site was left untouched for centuries until Bingham discovered it again in 1911 in the dense jungle of Peru.

Aguas Calientes. Morrissey. CC BY 2.0

Machu Picchu is Peru’s most visited attraction and one of the most well-preserved examples of Inca architecture. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. The adept engineering of the Incas can be seen throughout Machu Picchu and continues to bring in visitors from around the world.

Jenn is a Communications Studies graduate based in Los Angeles. She grew up  traveling with her dad and that is where her love for travel stems from.  You can find her serving the community at her church, Fearless LA or  planning her next trip overseas. She hopes to be involved in  international humanitarian work one day.

Nepal Requires Yoga Education For School Children

Nepal is the first nation to make yoga a requirement in schools. The government claims the courses will promote a healthy lifestyle yet the Muslim community is worried the policy will promote Hinduism. 

Nepali children in a classroom. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. CC BY 2.0.

Last year, Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology completed designing their compulsory yoga courses for students in grades four through eight. The small Himalayan country is the first in the world to make it a required subject nationwide. Officials say the course is intended to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, but the Nepali Muslim community is doubtful. They fear the new courses will attach religion to health and reinforce Hindu nationalism in the country. 

Yoga was once a general elective course, but as of this school year, the Nepali curriculum requires students to participate in a weekly yoga course. Alongside math and science, students will have a “choice between yoga, Ayurveda, and natural medicine,” says Krishna Nasad Kapri, the joint secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. Certain yoga topics will also be integrated into English and Nepali language courses. 

Officials in Nepal specified that it was the Nepal Communist Party which decided to change the curriculum, not Hindus. They pointed out that the yoga course is only required for students in grades four through eight and that older students can choose to take the course as an elective. Giriraj Mani Pokhrel, Nepal’s education minister, told The New York Times that “yoga is our ancient science. We want students to learn it, and we think this is the right time.” 

The Muslim community in Nepal is not sold on the government’s intentions to promote healthy lifestyles through yoga courses. Some fear that the exercises will include religious and ideological contexts that could underline a rise in Hindu nationalism. Muslim activist groups have said they would oppose the mandatory yoga lessons if the students were expected to do poses such as the sun salutation, a series of 12 moves devoted to the Hindu god, Surya. Groups have also resisted chanting the sacred Hindu sound of “om.” 

Nazrul Hussein, the former president of the Nepal Muslim Federation, expressed his stance on the mandate in an article for The New York Times, proclaiming that  “Making anything mandatory that relates to one particular religion is against the spirit of the Constitution. We cannot do the sun salutation, and they should not link religion with health." 

The director of Nepal’s Curriculum Development Center, the organization responsible for designing the course, denied any favor to a particular religion. He furthered his defense, telling The New York Times that “This course is for mass education,” he said. “Content against any religion is edited out.” According to reports from officials, sun salutations are a part of the class. 

In the U.S., hundreds of public schools designate time for students to practice breathing exercises and stress reduction techniques. Some curriculums that offer yoga, and some colleges and primary schools require them even though national policies do not enforce it. Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey, signed a bill in May that undid a 1993 ban on yoga practice in public schools. 

While the bill abolished a 30-year ban, it also established restrictions on how yoga can be taught. The bill states that students won’t be allowed to meditate, say “namaste,” chant, use mantras, mudras or mandalas. In addition,  Hindu names cannot be used for poses. Instead, they must be replaced with their English versions. 

Krishna Nasad Kapri told The Times of India that,“Besides being helpful in the treatment of various ailments, yoga, Ayurveda and naturopathy will also be helpful for further research.” According to the National Institute of Health, a 2016 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that yoga seemed to be a promising stress management tool for children, and that yoga “may have positive effects on psychological functioning in children coping with emotional, mental, and behavioral health problems.” However, the report also notes that studies on yoga for children have limited sample sizes. The introduction of yoga in schools has the possibility to make a positive impact on childrens’ lives, and allow scientists to research the benefits on a larger scale. Despite the religious controversies, Nepali schools are one step closer towards adapting stress management courses like yoga for public education.

Claire Redden

Claire Redden is a freelance journalist from Chicago, where she received her Bachelor’s of Communications from the University of Illinois. While living and studying in Paris, Claire wrote for the magazine, Toute La Culture. As a freelancer she contributes to travel guides for the up and coming brand, Thalby. She plans to take her skills to London, where she’ll pursue her Master’s of Arts and Lifestyle Journalism at the University of Arts, London College of Communication.