In an exclusive interview with CNN, former whale hunter, Jeff Foster, discusses the multimillion-dollar industry associated with capturing, training and domesticating orca whales. What is fascinating about this story is that, over the years, Foster became more and more uncomfortable with the business he was involved in and sought to change his perspective.
The change of heart was triggered by the realization of the ramifications of capturing orcas. Hearing their cries and seeing the awful conditions in which they were forced to endure (which haven’t changed since the 1980s) forced him to go from a hunter to a conservationist. Not even an offer of 7 million dollars to whale again would undermine his strong beliefs.
Orca whales, according to Foster, are highly intelligent animals that survive longer in the wild. Those in captivity frequently suffer from several problems, including refusing to eat and turning on their trainers. Those that are re-released into the wild often quickly die, as a result of being domesticated for so long.
