Through the Years at Marine World Africa USA from Greg Orrante on Vimeo.
Gone but not forgotten: Marine World Africa USA : The Poop
Nice clip of "memories" with Dave McMillian's tigers and Ron Whitfields lions and tigers.Courtesy of Thomas Bonner
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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4 comments:
Marine mammal trainers the late Sonny Allen and Jim Mullen. I met and saw Ron Whitfield's tigers in 1991, very good with some unique behaviors. With all the financial troubles the place has had a lot of people have retired or moved on. Lots of great stories from this place.
Jim,
You can bet there are great stories. I just wish the "land mammal" fraternity could figure out why the folks stopped liking land mammals and their performance, but are accepting of sea mammals. As we all know years ago, many, many Marine parks and zoo's utilized both land and sea mammals. San Diego even used Joan Embry and her horses for a while, in a search for acceptance of land mammals. I believe the elephants now use the stadium as part of their habitat to "free range" at the WAP. I wonder if it had anything to do with what the land mammal fraternity was presenting to them as "training?" It sure can't be all animal rights fault, because Marine Parks survived Free Willy, with major changes.
Wade
I remember sitting in Jimmy Hall's truck in Springfield, MO several years ago because he wanted me to see a video. The tape was of the San Diego Animal Park elephants being led to the barn. (Some know what's coming.) One elephant in the middle spun around and went after the keeper. He was knocked down in a corner that saved him from the elephant doing a headstand on him. You could hear the guy scream for his life. I'll bet that was the end of hands on elephant work there.
As to the big picture about why parks pass on land animal shows but marine mammal shows continue. Maybe it goes back to the days when, for the most part, wild animal acts were presented as man dominating the mammoth beasts or jungle killers (fighting acts). We know its not true, e.g. our disscussion of Pat Anthony's act, but that's what it looked like. Marine mammals, except for a few very early killer whale shows, were presented in a happy man/animal cooperative partnerships.
Another possible reason, cost. I could do an acceptable 20 minute presentation with three or four sea lions. I replaced a big cat show with 17 animals that ate a lot more. I don't think folks stopped liking land animal acts (if trainers lighten up the presentation, e.g., no fighting acts.) Management just found a cheaper, acceptable replacement.
KING OF AQUARIA says: "Found myself watching the Marine World video 'Through The Years'. The pilot whale jumping was 'Willie" who came from Aquarama when they closed in 1968 (Marine World opened July 1968). 'Willie' and 'Winkie' were North Atlantic pilot whales captured in Newfoundland for Philadelphia Aquarama. They lived in a circular concrete pool 50 feet in diameter and 12 feet deep. Aquarama was closed and sold their animals to ABC Marine World in Redwood City. During the flight, 'Winkie' went 'bananas' and had to be shot - according to my former boss the late Bill 'Gator' Ervin who went from Aquarama to Sea World in San Diego."
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