Former SeaWorld Trainer Samantha Berg talks about David Kirby's book, "Death at SeaWorld"

[@Ginnynha18]

“There’s about as much educational benefit studying dolphins in captivity as there would be studying mankind by only observing prisoners held in solitary.” Jacques Yves Cousteau

[@froggygurl8775]

I just watched Blackfish and was very saddened by the treatment of these beautiful creatures, and the dangers the trainers were continuously put in. Thank you for standing up and speaking out. I had no idea.

[@stephanieoneill2268]

She’s very interesting to listen to.

[@handbaghound]

I'm amazed. How can there not be 250,000 questions for this incredibly intelligent, honest , beautiful lady? Clearly, to me , noone was really interested in what actually happens to 1 of God's most amazing creatures but more about the death of a trainer ..who IMO...should not have been anywhere near that animal. Who do I blame for that? Who is God holding accountable for that girls death? Certainly not her and absolutely not the Orca. He's holding SeaWorld Cooperate accountable for her death. Her blood and the others blood is on their hands and they will not escape it. Thank you for everything that you and the others are doing and have done to bring awareness to this atrocious behavior on the part of SW. I could spend hours upon hours talking to you and listening to you. 💖🙏

[@MermaidMusings7]

Death at Seaworld is a powerful book.

[@kaleighwashere]

I watched Blackfish yesterday and it definitely moved me, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I live about 20 mins from Marineland in Niagara Falls and I had heard about the protests and how horribly the animals had been mistreated and it broke my heart since I've been there a handful of times. I will never go to a park where they showcase animals as entertainment ever again. Thank you Sam for coming forward and for trying to make a difference, you've inspired me to do the same!

[@claudiacorona6670]

It’s a CNN fakenews bit too

[@Jushwa]

@@claudiacorona6670 guess cnn has great cgi artists all the video of marineland’s poor conditions are available on KZbin. Anyone with half a functioning brain can find them pretty easily.

[@GabrielTheMagolorMain]

I know it’s been a while since this, but thank you so much for speaking out (I also see you have a nonprofit, it hasn’t ended with these talks around the movie, so thankful that you all keep going, but also devastated that you have to). I’ve never and will never take my child to a zoo, a marine park, etc. I watched Blackfish years and years ago and it’s one of the worst horror movies I’ve ever seen. 😢

[@sullyluther5519]

Kidnap a small child from his/her parents, lock him/her up in a small room for 20 years, forcing him/her to perform stupid tricks in return for food, and then expect to have a functioning, psychologically-sound being? No dice. Welcome to SeaWorld.

[@isaidk07]

do you research!!!

[@mmbtraveler]

@@isaidk07 huh?

[@sarahholland1375]

@@isaidk07 any basic research on Orca's tells you they're highly social, live in family group 'pods' & swim hundreds of miles a day. So it's not rocket science that being kept alone in a 30ft pool sends them mad. (aggression, butting the concrete til they bleed, staying motionless for hours on end). The trainer not rewarding Tillikum for going the whole diameter instead of halfway is overly rigid & she runs out of reward food too. Poor practice.

[@antmagor]

isa kops you mean like you didn’t.

[@Brucev7]

See Prison World

[@NikkiMKDFC666]

One of my favourite talks by you Sam. So humble and dignified. Thank you for everything you do. So honoured to be fighting alongside you, raising awareness of this important cause xxx

[@emallace447]

Samantha - you are a wonderful person. Thank you for speaking out on behalf of these animals. Your voice makes a difference.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thank you!

[@MrBuddybones]

Thanks for all you do for these beautiful creatures. I grew up in Miami and saw the Seaquarium's first orca, "Hugo," as a child before they obtained Lolita. I then remember going to see both of them perform. Hugo died tragically in 1980 after he had rammed his head against that tiny tank too many times. I still remember the photo in the Miami Herald of him being hoisted out of the tank by a crane. After 12 years of performing and being the first captive killer whale on the East coast, there is no mention of him at Miami Seaquarium. It's as though he never existed. He was on all their brochures and GAF View Master reels, etc. Lolita is a beauty, and it horrifies me to think that she and I are the same age, and she has lived practically her entire life in that miserable little tank. It's all she knows. She's been without another orca for companionship since Hugo died. At 48 years of age she is the oldest orca in captivity anywhere, and is now considered part of the endangered group of orcas from the Southern Resident pod. I visited Sea World Orlando once, a year before Dawn's death. I have loved orcas all my life, and my hope is that they will be retired some day. Sea World needs to follow Ringling Bros, who have finally agreed to put an end to performing elephants. Keep fighting, Samantha.

[@yeetnama9094]

Oh but let's not forget the idiot activists who killed Keiko.

[@mnomadvfx]

"She's been without another orca for companionship since Hugo died" I hate to break it to you but Lolita might have been part of the reason that Hugo ended up smashing his head into the tank too many times. A quick watch of Blackfish and you can see that more often than not the female orcas will rake the males with their teeth if they are not part of the same family unit. This is just one of the many reasons that keeping such large, intelligent animals in such small tanks is such a cruel thing to do - they literally have nowhere to go when the other orcas start attacking them.

[@mojojojojowhitequeen1614]

Thankyou for speaking up Samantha your voice is being heard x🐬

[@diatriberdiatriber2919]

Samantha thank you so much for having the courage to do this. If only everyone had to watch this video before buying their tickets to seaworld. And at least their lives are somewhat bettered by having caring trainers around them.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thank you!

[@bayleenicole2096]

I love her. I love those 6 trainers that were in Blackfish because THEY NEVER TRIPPED ON THEIR WORDS. NEVER REPEATED . 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤

[@differenttruck]

You're an inspiration to me, and I'm sure many others. Thank you for everything you're doing today for Orcas, for standing up and fighting for what you know is right, and helping to bring about change. Loved watching this, I wish the video had gone on longer. Hope to someday get a chance to hear you speak in person!

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thank you. I have a whole bunch of videos loaded at the Voice of the Orcas site - see the "about" section under the video for the URL.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Blackfish is the documentary. Just played at the Sarasota Film Festival and picked up by Magnolia Pictures 4 distribution in US and also by CNN Documentary division for Television. The showing at Sarasota this weekend was on opening night for a 1740 seat theater - the film received a standing ovation. This film will be big. You an follow the Blackfish movie FB page or Twitter account for more info

[@susankeber88]

The whales refused to perform? Imagine a stuffed subway in NYC...we have to stop "training" animals and realize that we are NOT in control...nor should we be. They're not meant to be in a tank doing "tricks"...it's pathetically sad...and deadly as evidenced by the rage Tilikum has exhibited.

[@ehudriven6697]

I just watched Blackfish... can't sleep since it ended. Life changing film.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thanks Ehud!

[@estebanmedina7642]

Blackfish is a lil exaggerated I don't think seaworld mistreats their animals in fact they've done a bunch of rescues as for the animals they ate not for enough for wild survival

[@kpopismyseoul2ne1]

esteban medina You really don't even have to watch blackfish to know that what sea world is doing is wrong. They were not meant to be in captivity performing. I was an activist for Orca ever since Dawn's death.

[@RiaPlays]

Hi Sam, I think it's so great that you and some of the other ex trainers are speaking out and sharing your experiences. It's making a difference for sure. I'm so sad for these animals. Lolita so deserves to return to the sea! Thanks for sharing.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thank you Ria!

[@mommymelissa79]

I really can't tell you how truly happy I am to see this. I give you and the other trainers who are speaking out so much credit and I have an insurmountable amount of respect for all of you. You are a wonderful speaker, and I couldn't think of a better group of heroes for these amazing animals. Tilikum's story has touched the hearts of my children, who no longer want to visit captive animals but want to see them free. I feel for the families who have lost their loved ones, including the pods who are missing theirs. Thank you so much.

[@mirabecker6767]

Wow, thank you for speaking up. That was very interesting to listen to. The way you speak and explain the certain topics is great! :)

[@Alicia121289]

Wow, I have been researching on this for a final paper and I just got more information from you then I have anywhere else. Thank you for your help and you are a pretty extraordinary person for being so proactive. I also wanted to say that I think it's amazing that you answered so many people's comments. You don't see that a whole lot. Thanks again

[@SamanthaBerg]

Hi Alicia, if you want more information, please visit my homepage at Voice of the Orcas - I can't put a URL here but it's a Google site, so just google "Voice of the Orcas" or type in Voice of the Orca dot com and you will be redirected to the site. Our individual home pages are listed with links on the left of the home page. There's an interview with me and Born Free director Will Travers that has more updated info post Blackfish. Plus check out the comments I posted on this video b/c there are some corrections to what I said

[@Alicia121289]

***** I've seen dozens of videos and one thing that I keep seeing is that people all over really seem to want to help. I think with most people though, they don't have much money. I just keep hearing it over and over "how can we help?", "what can we do?" imagine though, each of them donating a dollar, 5 dollars. What is really great is that even though they are only one person, if each of the thousands of people that Blackfish touched did this we could probably fund that open ocean sanctuary.Is there a place where people can go and donate to some of these efforts? Also another documentary on Netflix right now is called The Whale. Have you seen it? It's about a young orphan orca who befriends a whole community. It was emotional and very heartwarming.

[@melaniewalker5226]

Alicia Hunt She's very brave for speaking out, after all sea world are losing a great deal of money. I'd be scared I'd have an accident, it's not easy telling the truth against a massive corporation who stand to lose millions and millions of dollars.

[@JeremyThompson1978]

I thank you Samantha for your knowledge and information. Your educational and work background along with your public speaking ability allow you to clearly speak the truth. Please continue to shine a light on Sea World and the other "animal parks". Thank you immensely!

[@megaroo6110]

I really enjoyed watching this, it's absolutely fascinating, although very sad, learning about what goes on at Sea World behind closed doors. You made such an excellent point about circus animals, a specially elephants, being able to retire. These animals, the orca, have given their lives to this bloodthirsty corporation the least they could do is retire the animals to a better life after they get too old or sick. Don't get me wrong they all deserve to experience the ocean and a better life, but retiring the older animals is a good start. I have great admiration for you and you comrades, thank you for everything you do! By the way you are a wonderful public speaker.

[@alexcimmerian2185]

Samantha Berg, you are AMAZING, FANTASTIC

[@SamanthaBerg]

I heard back from the film makers - no title yet but they are working on it.

[@elushka29]

Well done Samantha , I hope your voice can be heard , i would never ever go and watch this shows as much as I adore and would give anything to get close to this beautiful mammals , I really hope people would wake up and stop educating there kids that is fine to keep them in captivity !!

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thank you!

[@marishanameyer6132]

RIP Tillikum

[@thorazine666]

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED ORCA'S.THIS WAS A VERY INSIGHTFUL TALK.THANK YOU FOR UPLOADING THIS.

[@margaridarodrigues3834]

Thank you for this. I live in Portugal and no one here talks about these stuff. I had NO IDEA. Thank you.

[@vulcansailor]

I am a huge animal lover and I have always wanted to visit Seaworld since I was a kid. I'm so thankful that I heard about the move Blackfish and watched it before I ever got the chance to go there. It is so wrong to deprive these whales of their freedom and family. I thank you and all of the other former trainers that came out to speak the truth and educate the public about what really goes on.

[@masterpt68]

Thanks for speaking out and be a brave person, since I saw this video I stoped going to see world in San Diego, I live in Tijuana Mexico very close to Sea world but no more visit to this park.

[@charlisays]

Samantha, your honesty and approach will certainly help to stop the misery for these poor creatures. SeaWorld are the absolute villains of the decade.

[@iwokeuplikethispod]

So well spoken, Samantha! Thank you for sharing your experiences and insight! It's heart warming to know that the anti-cap movement has such intelligent and kind people to be the voice of change. Thank you again for this and all that you do!

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thanks Jason! If you want more video's like this, please visit VoiceoftheOrcas.com

[@cdnerin]

This was a very informative talk, Samantha ... I would have loved to see the rest, too, but yeah wow, learned a lot just from this. I've checked out your other videos & will be watching the various Q & A's you've uploaded. Thank you for going around & getting the truth out there!

[@HarleyD1991]

Well done for doing this Samantha your honesty is very commendable! Keep fighting the good fight!

[@susanlawrence8401]

Samantha you are brave and brilliant! It’s people like you who make a difference ❤🐋

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thanks so much!!

[@GraveDolly]

I am reading this book and saw Blackfish last night, truly amazing, and so happy that the knowledge is spreading! This book has already made me cry multiple times and i'm just halfway through it. I am so glad that you *Samantha* and your fellow friends from your past at SeaWorld came out and disclosed what you have for the public. I believe that we will see an end in the near future thanks to all of the people putting their hearts and souls into this cause.

[@herfirstmate]

Samantha Berg is such an amazing person to have at the forefront of this fight. She alongside several others are giving back to these animals by fighting for their freedom or at the least, fair treatment. No more performing, no more tanks, NO MORE BREEDING. Release these animals to sea pens in natural running currents, limit human interaction unless for medical care, place the orcas in "pods" similar to what they would've been and should've been in the wild. Place these animal's welfare over their ability to make money. MOST IMPORTANTLY do not BREED. The lifespan of these animals is sadly, so short theoretically there would be no orcas in captivity 30-40 years from now if not sooner. Samantha Berg is a great person to explain these possibilities to the public and there are very realistic possibilities. SeaWorld and parks like them have the resources to turn their parks into "sanctuaries" that benefit all those involved - people and animals. Spread the word. Join us at facebook.com/protestseaworldsandiego

[@asouffle]

Thanks so much for checking Sam, and for your activism and insight.

[@ThePrimaDonnaDream]

WOW your explanation was a lot better then the documentary. Some of the stories you said I didn't even know or weren't said in the movie. I must say tho, I LOVED BLACKFISH. Its a very sad, raw and real piece of insight into these types of places.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thank you!

[@TechnoBoizzz]

Hey Samantha, thank you for providing this information. You're clearly an expert and speak from passion. I am that way with space and can talk forever. I wish I were there to have asked you questions! It makes me SICK to have learned how Orcas are captured. Beautiful creatures that we should protect... Cheers

[@SamanthaBerg]

SW told us that Keltie died of hypothermia and all Tili did was carry her dead body around. I heard it was female whales who kept Keltie from getting out of water - and that they also kept any toys from Tili, so when Tili got Keltie's body, he refused to let go, treating her like a toy. There was no internet back then so I couldn't check. Now I can read the stories from back then and the truth is right there. And we have witnesses who saw Tili pull Keltie in the water in the movie Blackfish

[@gillian927]

She is such a great talker. I'm glad I watched Blackfish and now know the truth. The Kenneth Peters footage was so scary to watch. I wonder what he has to say today about the event and also wonder if his foot healed.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Ken is still working at SeaWorld and he is not allowed to comment to the general public about what happened between him and Kasatka. I believe his feet did heal.

[@jennifermarshall4780]

Rest In Peace Dawn, Daniel, Burn, and Tilly. He’s gone now.

[@Infinite-void908]

Daniel got himself killed

[@Pithead]

SeaWorld share prices dropped by roughly 45% this last year.

[@Pithead]

@Christian Banuelos Oh dear, that's a great shame, and with the Covid 19 on the loose as well.

[@syrfnr]

She is really inspirational.

[@jthoen61]

Thank you Sam for the informative talk. What kills me about Seaworld is they obtained Tilikum, knowing that he killed people. They put all the trainers that worked with him at risk. It's the equivalent of employing a serial killer at a workplace, then not telling anyone. I pray for the day where all these parks close and the animals are returned to the wild.

[@SamanthaBerg]

jthoen61 exactly - Tilikum should never have been in a position to harm anyone ever again after he killed Keltner Byrne. SeaWorld and upper level management are basically accessories to murder - they arrogantly assumed Tilikum’s instincts could somehow be trained out of him AND they did not tell the truth either about Tili’s history (how he was abused by his captors and isolated and how he was treated by the female whales at Sealand) or specifically about how Keltie was killed. Lots of lies and obfuscations led to an inevitable disaster. All because SeaWorld needed another male breeder. That’s why I see Dawn’s death as a slow moving train wreck rather than a tragic accident. The whole situation could have been prevented.

[@jthoen61]

@@SamanthaBerg I agree. Seaworld obviously doesn't care about their employees or animals. It's all about money. I would think Dawn's husband would file a lawsuit against Seaworld. If they knowingly put their trainers in danger with Tili, that is a crime.

[@AnaHallie]

Orcas are apex predators with no natural enemies. These guys literally kill great white sharks. Who thought it was a good idea to put a giant killing machine in a pool? They belong in the ocean, not in bathtubs forced to do tricks for food.

[@44prot]

I remember John. I was there the night Nootka died. Kotar, the male in TX died the night of my going away party when I was transferring to Fl. I was on whale watch when Kahanna died and when Samoa died giving birth in TX. And even after all of those deaths, and MORE, I supported the 'story(s)' . So much you say here, I can so relate to. I am so glad to have come across you here. Keep up the Good fight

[@lorenchristopher]

Thanks so much for speaking and uploading this!

[@NorrieOrca]

Thanks for speaking out! It's so great to see more and more people turning their back to these circuses!

[@SamanthaBerg]

That's what I heard when I was there. I've since been advised that although the animals went to a rendering plant, where remains were made into fertilizer. However, I have not been able to get definitive information on what happens to the animals after they die. I'm sure someone who worked in Animal Care at SeaWorld back in the early years might know, I'm interested to find out.

[@angelomatta2791]

I love this girl. She is awesome

[@olivesinging7005]

I am ashamed that I attended a show with Shamu as a child! I’m sure my parents were unaware as most of the cruel situation these whales were living in! God Bless you!

[@estherwilliams6666]

I remember as a child feeling really nervous watching the show. I didn't understand what it was until now.

[@sumtxflygrl1]

I saw Shamu too! He was the famous whale. Now we know better and we do better ❤️

[@MrsElleGuapo]

I am proud of all former trainers of the SeaWorld for not being scared and saying it out loud the true story of what was going on "behind the scenes" of SeaWorld.

[@layla5852]

Polina R. She was not a trainer at seaworld though. She was a paid actor. And another guy from blackfish kicked an otter which Is why seaworld fired him

[@kevinmalone3210]

@@layla5852 She stated she was a former trainer at SeaWorld.

[@helene806yahoo]

thank you so much for posting this gutted it ended so soon! but thanks it was interesting to find out what she as a trainer did not know about the animals she was working with and potentially putting life at risk!

[@bambam6231973]

Years ago I was at an aquatic park.I asked a trainer what you had to do to train the whales. They said you had to be a marine biologist...at least have a bachelors degrees in marine mammals. I was 11 years old. Hearing this breaks my hearts.

[@SamanthaBerg]

The best option for Tili is probably a sea pen - he is too sick to return to the ocean on his own - also his history w/ killing humans makes him a poor release candidate. He'll need to be taken care of for the rest of his life, but I'd like to see him not have to perform for his food

[@SusanScrapPassion]

Thank you,Samantha, for telling your story and the truth behind the scenes. My daughter wanted to be a trainer, but realized just in time what a mistake that would be. Keep telling your story. There is hoe that someday our precious animals will once again swim free even if it is just a sea pen. Anything is better than what they have now

[@SamanthaBerg]

I never worked directly with Ted but of course I know people who know him. I'm so glad you had a change of heart - and I'm really glad you are choosing to help animals by volunteering in rehab facilities instead helping the Marine Parks exploit them for money. I hope you are able to get an internship.

[@faithrobinson4168]

The facility Lolita is at has come under new ownership the the new owner made the decision to retire her the park is waiting for vet approval to see if she can be relocated to a sea pen

[@charity6372]

She's sharp as a tac.

[@catlover5654]

Thanks very much for your contribution on Blackfish Samantha, it is very informative and very sad.

[@corvidaedalus]

I'm using a few quotes from this for a speech I have to give. :) Our minimum time for our speech is about three minutes, but I have at least ten minutes. I guess that's how much I hate SeaWorld, and I'm still just trying to keep the speech short. I could probably go on for longer. Thank you for speaking out when you did. 💜

[@23baggo]

very very moving Samantha I was at seaworld orlando october 2013 they said tilikum did whatever he wanted ie if he didnt want to perform he didnt have to. When I saw him he was just motionless in the pool

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thanks Ray! Yes, Tili's situation is tragic. it didn't have to be this way.

[@cristianm7097]

***** is it true orcas are given brain medication to calm down ?

[@SamanthaBerg]

Yes it is true.

[@cristianm7097]

Thanks for the quick answer :) I find orcas fascinating (especially the fact they developed a language). If people want to see them, the most honest way is to go on orca safari in the wild. I have been in Northern Norway waters in 2007 on such a trip. The encounters are not 100% guaranteed, but the experience is genuine and natural, without disturbing the animals.

[@sarahholland1375]

They probably get told to tell the public that. If you watch Blackfish, he performs daily. And as the Orca expert said, staying motionless for hours on end is a sign of disturbed behaviour. As is butting the concrete which he's also seen doing. In the wild he'd roam for 100s of miles & live in a family 'pod'. Orca's are highly social so being alone is torture in effect.

[@AnimalLeftist]

Fascinating. Horrifying. Heart-breaking. Thank you for posting.

[@beonka10]

As a dog trainer - I see just a fraction of what it's like for an intelligent animal to be under valued, living a very unstimulated life style. (Ex: Dogs living their life on a chain, dogs under socialized/unconditioned, etc...) And then you have a killer whale. A very intelligent, problem solving, self-aware animal... living in a pool. I know what happens to dogs that live a life on a chain... And I can only imagine how life is for the whales...

[@Jennyjenjen83]

Clearwater marine hospital, and I'm seeing about doing an internship at a place like that. I just want to say what your doing is great-God bless you for having the guts to speak up for those who cannot speak-at least not in a language we can understand. Thank you and keep up the fantastic work!!!!

[@Getridofseaworld]

For anyone who wants to help free Tilly, there is a petition on change.org that really needs signatures. Also check out the freetilly website, started by a 17 year old animal lover. If enough people expressed their horror at the situation at Seaworld, maybe change could happen.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thanks Lonnie the 2nd :) I agree with you completely. And some of the things that happen at other aquariums and zoos across the country are just as reprehensible. The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has an "premium experience" option where you can pay $450/couple to propose to your sweet-heart in the water with a beluga whale. Exploitation at the extreme. Check it out on their website.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Thank you very much for the feedback! Please go see the movie "Blackfish" if you have a chance. If you liked this talk, you will definitely appreciate the movie

[@SamanthaBerg]

Not sure if you saw this - I don't know if the film has a name yet - I sent an email to the film makers - I'm waiting to hear back

[@kbear233]

I recently watched "Blackfish" and was completely moved. I completely respect you and am grateful to have found out earlier than most that animal captivity is wrong. Thank you for providing me with this education. :)

[@halieandprestongrovesandro4334]

Samantha is amazing! Keep it up girl!

[@beck1309]

I am having a hard time understanding why SeaWorld Trainers/Employees working there currently are still trying to deny this against the marine science community while former employees are speaking out. Is it hard because of keeping one's job or is it lack of education? I mean there are probably many ex-sea world employees who might warn them?

[@AnimalLeftist]

Rebecca Ling , A non-disclosure contract is now mandatory with many animal institutions. It can be very tricky to come out with the truth, because then you are liable for litigation. I know our useless SPCA made their employees sign one. I think the contract runs for x-number of years, then you can speak. Weird, eh? "Don't talk about what you do at work, or we'll sue you!!"

[@c.johnbridges8394]

As a kid growing up in Orlando I've been to sea world many times and always loved it. I have always been intrigued by killer whales. I never knew about how whales got there or what whales like tilly have gone through in their lives. The scariest scene I think it's when one of the whales turned on the trainer and he couldn't get out of the pool. Every time he would swim to the side or to the slide out, the whale would jump and create a barrier between him and his ability to get out of the pool. Sometimes he nearly landed on the guy.

[@mushuk8114]

Sea world can survive as a theme park with it's sealife themed rides, like Disneyland. And still make a huge profit on the marketing characters of shamu- the equivalent of Disney's mickey. They can use some of those profits to continue to help sealife and retire the remaing whales to sea sancturies like what happened to keiko. There was an inspiring news segment of a group of kids that petitioned their school to change their school trip from sea world to a sea sancturies as a result of blackfish. I hope more local schools in those regions get educated and create a movement for change.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Hi Kevin, Thanks - glad you enjoyed the video! Check out the links I posted under "show more" Also, you can follow me on Twitter at @sam10k along with other ex-trainers like @jeffrey_ventre (also from SW) and @walruswhiperer from Marineland. Also @RichardoBarry and @Melissa_Sehgal would be great to follow too. Tweeting and FB'ing help a lot. And tell all your friends about the book - make sure they know not to buy a ticket to any marine circuses that keep large marine mammals

[@mushuk8114]

To Samantha berg, i watched your interview with Born Free and it was so insightful and interesting. I learned so much more from the interviews of yourself, your former trainers and the director of blackfish. I think you raised a really good issue with Born Free in how while public opinion is turning against captivity for entertainment, there's growing popularity for dolphin interactions. I've crossed off the list if things I want to do as swimming with dolphins, cos it's not in the dolphins interest. And it's going to encourage the capturing of more wild dolphins stolen from the wild to marine parks. You're definetly helping us to be smarter consumers

[@rhianasherwood857]

Very insightful! Thanks for sharing. I hope you are well.

[@SamanthaBerg]

@W4RJ - you are welcome! Considering the recent incident in Germany with the tiger that escaped and killed a keeper and was subsequently shot, it's interesting that no similar safety measures were in place with Tilikum. That's because killer whales are priceless (insured for millions of $) - I guess tigers are not. And yes, Lolita needs to go home, like 10 years ago. If enough people refuse to go to the show, orca captivity will end.

[@SamanthaBerg]

I can't post links here, but Google "Voice of the Orcas" and go to the science page to read "Keto and Tilikum Express the Stress of Captivity" by Dr. Jeffrey Ventre and John Jett, Ph.D.

[@44prot]

I was in TX from 89-94, then transferred to FL until 99. Please forgive me for my poor memory. The Animal Training/Animal Care depts. were smaller and closer in TX than they were in FL. At least when I was there. I so relate to what John says. A childhood dream turned into total shame. I thought I could make a difference. I was Wrong.

[@SamanthaBerg]

You are welcome - thanks for commenting! Let me know what you think when you see the movie!

[@antoniomacias6572]

I always thought that sea world trainers were marine biologist. So they hire teenagers to run their rides that where designed by actual engineers! And they hire any ole “I had a dream to be a orca trainer” to train a priceless apex predators.

[@gr23452]

I'm so curious: How did all of these people work with whales and never have any interest in actually learning about them? I mean no disrespect. It is just mind boggling. I learned more in grade school about the behavior of whales in the wild. I was shocked when I watched Blackfish and realized the trainers knew less about whales than most children.

[@diamonddog4708]

Cushy job, working outdoors, playing in water, 'entertainment' industry. They probably couldn't give a fig about the poor animals being exploited and kept in a revolting sterile environment. As long as they can swim would've been the resume requirement

[@spaceodyssey8779]

This is a wonderful talk, thank you. It is obvious you care deeply about the non-human ('animal') perspective, and the treatment of highly intelligent, sentient beings. You're a wonderful speaker; calm, researched and collected in argument.

[@SamanthaBerg]

Also, John Jett worked with Nootka as well, and he didn't even know that she was involved in Keltie's death either. And he knew less about Tili's history than I did.

[@SamanthaBerg]

I was in Animal Training in Orlando from February 1990 - August of 1993 W&D from Feb 1990 - Aug 1991, Shamu Aug 1991-Aug 1992 and SLO Aug 1992- August 1993. When did you work there? Yes, it is definitely a cult-like environment - I am appalled at what I believed to be true back then.

[@SamanthaBerg]

That is a really good question and I think you are right about the movie being the catalyst for Keiko's release. You might want to a watch these movies for more answers. I can't post the links for the movies here but I recommend "Lolita, Slave to Entertainment" and "Keiko The Untold Story"

[@steviewhitee]

Hey Samantha, I've sent you a friend request on Facebook :) I think it's great that people are finally beginning to see how bad it is for these creatures to be in captivity solely for entertainment and money purposes, and also that people like yourself are telling people about it. Hopefully, eventually, there will be no more whales in captivity, and I'll definitely never buy another ticket to SeaWorld again.

[@aaronsand]

I have always supported the fact that Seaworld tries to make life in captivity a similar to life in the wild as possible but after hearing Samantha story is and what she witnessed I have to Side with Samantha

[@veronicajeffers5538]

Samantha, can you clarify what "mistakes" Dawn made? I've spoke With several of her fellow trainers who said the following: 1) Yea, a lot of trainers still did tongue tactile even if it wasn't allowed or kiss the whales tongue if it wasn't allowed but after the Dukes incident they never put their hands in Tilly's mouth. LS was adamant that Dawn was very careful not to get her hands too close to his mouth. 2) What should she have done when he didn't respond to the bridge? Is that the mistake? 3) I was told the majority of the trainers who worked Tilly at that point never just rewarded him with primary; rub downs, Bucket pours etc were often used. Tilly in parifuzlr they said really liked rub downs. After Dawns death they stopped rubbing him down with hands and began using a pole. Tilly exhibited behavior that he really missed the rub downs. 4) I'm not asking this out of spite but truly mean it: do you really think you're qualified to access Dawn and speak on these issues with less than 4 years experience? Did you ever even process to the hot dogging behaviors before being moved out of shamu after a year? 5) If sea world deceived people regarding Tilly, then why was The "Tilly Talk" given to all new SW trainers entering shamu stadium, for years prior to Dawn's death?

[@margaretrussell5472]

I think Samantha Berg is very very interesting and very well informed of the things that happened to our animals in them facility I think if she can get the word out and everybody listen to her our whales would be better off and have a better life I really think she hits it on the nail when she says they can all be rehabilitated and released especially Lolita she has served her time she deserves to be released so she can go back to whatever life she had with her family and maybe when her in comes she'll be happy that she had the time to spend with her family we all know how that feels and animals feel the same

[@ShiftingDrifter]

I have great admiration for Ms Berg's testimony and support her, but her account of Keiko is not accurate. She left out important details of Keiko's last 8 months alone at sea. In fact, it was well documented by Icelandic and Norwegian researchers who tracked all orca pods in the Norwegian waters, that after his release, Keiko's multiple attempts at joining with other pods ended in social rejection. Norwegian researchers reported that - due to their inherent matriarchy and protective behavior, Keiko was chased off - first by the females and then by the larger males of the pods. The researchers reported Keiko's attempts to "call out" to the pods, and the pod groups not responding to his vocalizations. In short, he simply did not know how to speak their dialect and was rejected as a stranger. There are no reported cases of male rogue orcas living alone, nor do orcas typically breed outside their own pods. The pod females were simply behaving normally to defend the pod. As such, Keiko returned to the fjords alone in search of the only social interaction he knew for most of his life - human. To make matters worse, Keiko was ordered off limits by the Norwegian government - forbidding any human interference or contact (such photography, tour groups, or feedings), so when he made contact with local fishermen for food, he probably didn't understand why he was now being rejected by humans. His final days he remained near a local fishing village where he died sick, hungry and lonely. The investigation into why Keiko died of pneumonia was cited as being due to a combination of a weak immune system and malnutrition. As orcas hunt as a group and share food (similar to lions), Keiko essentially died due to lack of social contact with other orcas. Great effort was placed in a public relations campaign between the US, Iceland and Norway to conceil much of Keiko's final days, and he was secretly buried under cover of darkness at night during a snow storm, with announcement of Keiko's death being released after the fact. What was learned from this sad story is that the best hope for the orcas now under captivity would be to train them to survive in sea pens, and then hopefully be released into open waters, while also accepting the reality that these "lone orcas" will most likely NOT be accepted into pods and will need continuous supplemental care, feeding and social contact by humans indefinitely. Which is doable, but will cost a lot of money and will need to be a joint effort between the US and other nations (and the US being made primarily accountable).

[@SamanthaBerg]

RC Jones Thanks RC -I did this interview 3 years ago before I had all of the details about Keiko - you are correct that he was not accepted by other pods but her did attempt to swim with them. There are two excellent movies that document Keiko's story: "Keiko, the Untold Story" and "The Free Willy Story: Keiko's Journey Home" they are both on KZbin - I didn't have room in my comments to include the links -thanks for the correction.

[@susankeber88]

+RC Jones This would never have happened if Keiko had not been taken out of his natural habitat and from his family in the first place. Revisionist history collects unnecessary and irrelevant information. The only facts that need be told are this: Keiko was taken from his family. He was kept in an unnatural environment. He was trained to do "tricks" for the amusement and entertainment of human beings. He undoubtedly lived alone and in cramped tanks and shallow pools. Frustration, alienation, and lack of companionship and family/his pod, was distressing. Human beings believe we have a right to control all living creatures for their benefit and profit. We have not learned to respect other living creatures who have no other agenda other than to survive and live as nature provides; in their natural environment with their families.

[@thefallenangel8440]

+Samantha Berg its hard to believe this still goes on today after all we have learned about these amazing creatures .... Everything about orcas screams intelligence and to think we steal them from their familys then force them into a surreal enviroment its just WRONG thanks Sam i really enjoyed your interview i subbed x.

[@corsicanlulu]

my heart hurts so much for keiko...he was never happy! taken from his home and forced to do tricks, and then when released...he wasnt accepted? horrific

[@davidkeenan5642]

+Madd Dogg "nor do orcas typically breed outside their own pods." Sorry, I have to dispute that. Bull orcas have a lifelong relationship with their mother's pod, so to avoid accidental inbreeding they do leave their maternal group for breeding. Bar that, I agree with everything else you wrote, and it was a pleasure to come across someone who values the use of good grammar. It makes reading so much easier.

[@SamanthaBerg]

You are welcome and thanks for commenting!

[@anyalee5056]

I think she is completely amazing! to have completely changed your views on captivity, what an incredible woman! she is definetly going in my EPQ essay

[@JDMumma]

Bravo Samantha Berg! I want to get the anti-captivity message out! Q: Do you have or know where I can find a list of what Sea World says vs. the reality. e.g. dorsal fin collapse is "normal" Thanks!

[@veronicajeffers5538]

I couldn't find the comment where you welcomed me to ask any follow up questions so I had to post separate from my original questions. Thanks!

[@GraceTomson]

This video was really informative. I got a lot ot questions answered. Thank you for sharing your experience at Seaworld. I am going to read "Death at Seaworld" and I am disappointed that people at Seaworld think this book is a joke.

[@roselucas1]

Samantha, thank you for speaking out. Thank you for supporting Blackfish. Can't wait to see it.