Watch this video about Corky's Retirement.. Thank you..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neQyZ_gkk6s
@Copywrite to Orcalab...
Years ago, our dream for Corky was to reunite with her mother Stripe (A23) and resume her interrupted life as a member of the pod, the family Corky was born into; but after her mum death in 2000, and so many more years in captivity, our hopes have become focused on the wish that she be allowed to a facility in the ocean where she would be cared for, and where she would be able to with her kin and community when they are nearby. Two sites in Blackfish Sound are perfect locations for Corkys retirement home; one is a small bay on Hanson Island, known locally as Dong Chong Bay - its where Springer was held briefly in 2002 before her release & reunion with her family and the other is Freshwater Bay on Swanson Island. Both are protected from winter storms, both have deep water, and both have adjacent land that can be used to house support infrastructure and crew accommodations. It will be costly to set up and maintain, but our feeling is, Corky has done a lot for people, and she deserves no less than a retirement.
At 44 years of age, Corky is approaching the average 50-year lifespan for orca females in the wild. Her 40 years as a captive makes her the longest surviving captive orca, with Lolita at the Miami Seaquarium close behind. Both Corky and Lolita could live for many more years in captivity, but should they live out their lives, however long, surrounded by concrete walls? In fairness, the answer has to be a resounding NO.
Forty years is too long.
Some suggestions for helping Corky:
Call Sea World if you are in North America: 800-257-4268; option #4 gets you to a real person, who probably knows nothing about Corky, but will at least record your comment. Please be polite; its not her/his fault that Corky is still being held captive.
Definitely, do not go to any Sea World parks. Let them know why.
How to contact Sea World:
Mail: SeaWorld San Diego,
500 SeaWorld Drive,
San Diego, CA 92109 USA
Phone: (800) 257-4268)
International Calls (1) 619-226-3901
