Omnibus Penn Cove Whale Capture (Entry 916.JB0712)
Dec 18, 2025
Christopher Frizzell, a journalist and former editor of The Stranger, shares riveting tales of orca captures and the dark history of marine entertainment. He enlightens listeners about the harrowing Penn Cove capture of 1970, where many orcas were violently taken from their home. The discussion unveils the cruel realities of captivity, including orca boredom and mistreatment. They also celebrate wild orca behavior and recent positive signs of recovery in the Puget Sound. Frizzell's blend of personal anecdotes and deep knowledge captivates as they explore orcas' complex social lives.
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Namu’s Short, Public Life
- Ted Griffin captured an orca named Namu in 1965 and displayed it on the Seattle waterfront.
- Namu died within nine months after being taken from its family and environment.
Harpooning To Steal Calves
- Ted Griffin and Don Goldsberry harpooned an adult orca to capture its calf, which they named Shamu.
- The adult drowned itself and the captive calves were sold to parks worldwide where most died young.
Captivity Created Public Caring
- Early captivity popularized orcas even as it harmed them, creating a cultural love that later fueled conservation.
- That paradox helped shift public attitudes and policy decades later.