jaretths

[jaretths]

hello, you can ignore this if you want, but how do you feel about the tidebreakers keijo video where they're collecting sperm for persumbly artifical insemination?

Hi! I do not have any firsthand knowledge of the situation at Marineland Antibes. But as for Tidebreakers' video, they are trying to elicit a certain emotional reaction from viewers based on their word choices ("extremely disturbing," "against their will," "dirty little secret," etc.), and like PETA and other animals rights organizations, are very successful. Ending breeding is the easiest way to end captivity. Without it, the animals will be gone in a single generation. But to achieve this goal, some groups have unfortunately turned to portraying reproduction (whether natural or artificial) as a moral atrocity, even if the reality is steps have to be taken to stop animals from breeding.

In recent years, the general public has become very sensitive about animal reproduction and have started assigning human morals to normal behavior, which I think has made it easier to activist groups to capitalize on breeding as a cornerstone of their arguments. But the simple fact of the matter (as I discussed here) is that semen collection and artificial insemination (AI) are routine medical and husbandry procedures in dozens of both domestic and zoological species. It is not performed to force an unwilling animal to become pregnant in any species, but simply to ensure genetic diversity in a population without the stress and complications of transporting animals. For example, as a vet student, I assisted in inseminating a female dog of a very rare breed. The male was on the opposite end of the country, and AI was more cost-effective (and infinitely less stressful for animals and people alike) than shipping one dog out to meet the other. Inseminations are only performed when the female is in estrus, which (in most animals) is the only time a female will allow herself to be bred.

In cetaceans in particular, semen collection and artificial insemination are even less invasive than in other species. Many zoo animals (both male and female) have to go under general anesthesia, but not cetaceans. As you can see in the video from Tidebreakers, only two trainers are assisting in the session. Keijo is a multi-ton subadult male orca. This behavior is completely voluntary, and he would swim away if he did not want to participate.

Again, I don't know if Keijo's trainers are collecting him with the specific goal of preserving semen for artificial insemination or simply to keep the behavior from breaking down. That's not my business. But it's not a "secret," especially not a "dirty" one. Many journal articles have been published on cetacean AI and are available for anyone to read (some open access, some behind paywalls unless you have university access... but of such is the nature of scientific journals). And prior to the rise of the mainstream anti-captivity moment in the 2010s, it was a scientific advancement that parks were proud of and openly shared with their guests. In fact, a video that played before the Shamu Adventure show in 2004 discussed artificial insemination and even showed a brief clip of the insemination itself. It was never a secret.

In conclusion, my personal opinion on artificial insemination is unchanged. I have no moral objections to it in any species when performed by a veterinarian or other trained professional. Tidebreakers has brought much-needed attention to the plight of Wikie and Keijo, and I commend them for that. But I wish they would not moralize a routine, non-invasive procedure and attack the care staff involved.

[jaretths]

Horse figure of the day: Breyer #712338 "Strawberry"

[jaretths]

Duende DE - Andalusian Stallion

[jaretths]

I hate that I even have to make this post, but there seems to be a disgusting trend on social media lately (namely YouTube and TikTok) of sharing AI-generated videos of orcas in marine parks attacking or killing trainers.

These are not real. There have only been three killer whale trainers who died due to an attack—Keltie Byrne in 1991, Alexis Martínez in 2009, and Dawn Brancheau in 2010. Footage of these deaths either does not exist or has been sealed.

The videos you see on social media are not real and more often than not are about fictional people. Though some would have you believe otherwise, attacks—particularly those in which human life was lost—are exceedingly rare when viewed statistically, as explained here by @local-hellhound-steals-spaghetti.

Killer whales are not vicious or psychotic. Do not believe everything you see online, especially on TikTok. And especially when AI is involved.

[jaretths]

[jaretths]

literally her

[jaretths]

Though she’s hardly more than a kitten herself, this little mommie cat has been doing a great job taking care of her babies. Not only that, somewhere along the way she found two teeny bonus kittens that are half the age of her litter, and she’s been feeding and loving on them too. She seems very grateful to be off the streets now and getting some much needed help from us humans. The hard days are behind her for good; my coworker has already decided to give her a home once all her babies are weaned.

Nothing sweeter than a warm purring cuddle puddle of kittens 💕

[jaretths]

thats father

[jaretths]

goodnight

[jaretths]

[jaretths]

needing you

[jaretths]

[jaretths]

went to the dentist today, they told me im gonna die in 3 hours

[jaretths]

Misc.

[jaretths]

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[jaretths]