Killing Keiko Read Online Free PDF Page B

professional reputation opened many
     doors. In particular, it was an antiquated relationship with Keiko’s head veterinarian
     that opened the door to meeting the most famous killer whale in history.
    The day Robin received the call about Keiko I was in Colorado visiting a close friend.
     Robin was requested to visit the Keiko release operations in Iceland and explore the
     possibility of working on the project. I remember immediately thinking,
He’s freaking crazy
. Within the professional zoological world, the Keiko project was highly controversial,
     and there was no doubt in my mind, our involvement would be a risk to our professional
     futures.
    The issue was not about releasing an animal to the wild; we had worked on release
     programs before. But those release programs involved only stranded or distressed wild
     animals, animals that had not been in the care of man for very long. Releasing a zoological
     animal that had been in the care of man for decades was a completely different beast
     altogether.
    Even in the field of marine mammal strandings, there is much controversy regarding
     the effects of being in the care of man, ifonly for a short time. During rehabilitation the unavoidable association with humans
     impacts the animal’s ability to survive once released back to the wild. In fact, the
     success rate when releasing a rehab animal is not good, even though the animal might
     have lived the vast majority of its life in the wild. This of course is dependent
     on many factors; however, prolonged behavioral conditioning in association with humans
     is often an overlooked and underestimated force, capable of casting an all-powerful
     veto over every other advantage toward survival.
    It is not uncommon for dolphins that have been rescued, rehabilitated, and then released
     to exhibit nuisance behavior, following boats and seeking handouts; this after only
     a brief association with human contact. By U.S. standards, any animal that is rescued
     and in the care of man for even six months must go through a comprehensive rehabilitation
     process in order to be approved for release. That process involves avoiding counterproductive
     associations during release and the systematic removal of dependencies before the
     animal is returned to the wild. Releasing a longstanding captive adult male killer
     whale to the wild? The U.S. regulatory agencies would never allow such a preposterous
     release program from our waters, and believe me, there are many good reasons why not.
    I brushed off the idea of our participation in Keiko’s release and reminded Robin
     of the implications. But as the day wore on, the concept became increasingly more
     fascinating and very difficult to idly dismiss. It actually seemed a perfect match
     for our business mission and background. It was almost as if everything we had done
     in our professional careers had been a primer for this project, with each experience
     and exposure culminating to prepare us for an undertaking of this magnitude. Or at
     least that’s how the idea of it began to resonate.
    As one who had spent my career shaping animal behavior, the Keiko Release Project
     represented the ultimate challenge: To train an animal for every conceivable skill
     required to survive the wild; to remove decades of conditioned dependency; and to
     eliminate orreplace the human-animal bond. The idea was overwhelming really, but also stirring.
     This was an opportunity to apply every ounce of available science in behavior modification
     with no margin for error. It would require extensive marine logistical capabilities,
     input from trusted behaviorists, and span an unknown quantity of time. Without a doubt,
     it would depend heavily on deep pockets to finance all of it.
    Money didn’t seem to be a problem. Based on what the project managers had shared with
     Robin, everything needed was in place—from specialized marine equipment and the temporary
     bay pen facility to staff support and