https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaihEthj4qs
While searching on YouTube for wild animals, I came across this video of a human interacting with a wild Killer Whale. To be honest I did specifically type “killer whales in the wild” into the search bar, but it still counts. I couldn’t resist considering my love for the Orca species. The video, coming from YouTube, isn’t in the best quality. A simple phone camera can record videos and they are being posted on the web. In an instance where an average human being encounters and interacts with a Killer Whale, a simplistic recording device will suffice. In this video we see a human and a whale having a friendly match of tug of war with what seems to be some sort of branch or stick. Both the human and Killer Whale seem to be having a fun time as they experiment with each other, and testing their boundaries. They Killer Whale seem to be equally interested with the human, as the human is interested with the whale. We know that this is a friendly encounter between the human and Killer Whale because the proximity of the human’s hand to the Killer Whales mouth was close enough for the killer to bite off. Instead, the ginormous creature with a reputation of being ferocious (hence receiving the name “Killer Whale”) decides to gently grab hold of the stick and interact in a friendly manner. If you listen to human and killer whale are also imitating each other in the noises they make. As the human whistles at the whale, the killer whale projects his whistle, and the two try and match each other in pitch. Since this video was taken from what could be assumed average fisherman, the videography was the least of their concerns. Videoing the interaction by any means was good enough for proof of this amazing incident that had taken place. No music was added and no particular framing of the video. I will say that the person taking the video did a good job of capturing the happy look on the man’s face, as well as the playfulness of the killer whale as they interacted. There was no main point the videographer was trying to portray in this video. No changed were made by editing to makes us believe certain things. The things we see and take from this video are the true consequence of an interaction between human and an animal in the wild.
As I watched and analyzed this video I realized a couple of things. Out there in the wild, the Killer Whale and human were equals. Although humans have the capabilities to hunt and capture whales, this incident shows the true innocent and curious interaction of two species in the wild. Both the human and Killer Whale happened to find each other in the wild and we’re curious to what would happen when approaching each other. While realizing that the interactions are clearly consensual it made me relate to Randy Malamud’s essay Zoo Spectatorship. Randy Malamud commonly comments on the atrocities behind humans spectating animals in zoos, but I find it ironical that we see the animal spectating back. The Killer Whale has taken itself out of its natural course in a day to interact and view this human. We know the Killer Whale isn’t just playing, but spectating because of the Killer Whales actions. The popping up of the head, then lowering back down to view the human is a technique, used by all Killer Whales, known as “spy hopping”. I find it interesting that while Randy Malamud’s essay notes the unreciprocated look from animals, we find an instance where the look is reciprocated, and perhaps even initiated.
This video is so rare because it is one of the very few videos of wild animals that haven’t been significantly edited in order for profit. I think this video does a fantastic job raising awareness for orcas. However, I think their reputation as “killer” whales does them harm. As indicated in these video, killer whales are just being whales… they aren’t trying to be more ferocious than any other species. They kill to eat just like we do. I don’t think that they deserve to be called killer whales. I think that name casts them as an enemy that is dangerous to humans. I think its interesting to compare the positive interaction between this human and this whale to whale-watching around the world. The latter is far more voyeuristic whereas the relationship between the beings in this video is mutual.
I agree with Sonia that it is unfair to call Orcas Killer Whales. For starters, Orcas aren’t even whales they are technically dolphins. In addition adding Killer in front of Whale is unnecessary from a humans stand point. In the wild, there has been no recorded incident of an Orca killing a human being. The only instance in which Orcas have attacked or killed a human is when an Orca has undergone much psychological stress and even physical abuse from the effects of captivity.
I agree I think the name “killer whales” makes the animal sound savage and also minimizes how intelligent Orcas actually are. I really like this video because it educates people in a way Sea World will never do, this is purely an animal choosing, of its own free will, to play with a human and it shows the intelligence of the animals and also gives you an appreciation for it in it’s natural environment. Nothing is forced.
This video really does a good job of demonstrating a falsely associated stereotype that is human enforced. The animal itself didn’t name it, humans did, and we decided it would best be labeled as a “Killer.” In reality the submissive behavior and continual mislabeling of these animals along with keeping them in captivity doesn’t fairly portray them. The interaction with a large wild animal such as a killer whale is a pretty incredible experience for the human, and hopefully for the animal as well. I once was able to swim with a dolphin, and I was so happy to see wild dolphins interacting with both myself and each-other, free of the psychological stress and abuses of captivity. Great post Gio!
As Nick wrote, the video does do a good job in breaking down the stereotypes associated with orcas. However, I am interested to find out more about the context revolving the video. How did the orca come to that boat? What made the orca want to come/stay? Was it because the fisherman had food?
I think all of those question are important to know, because- perhaps this is what Malamud would note- this could be another example of how humans are simply using animals for pure entertainment purposes.