Killer whale expert from Blackfish visits Manitoba campus
Orca scientist to talk captivity practices, killer whale entertainment industry
An orca expert has made the trek inland to the Brandon University campus Thursday to talk about the controversial practice of keeping killer whales in captivity.
Dave Duffus is a whale expert who appeared in the acclaimed 2013 documentary Blackfish, a film that examines four trainer deaths and other contentious issues surrounding the killer whale entertainment industry.
Duffus was a witness in a 2011 court case after SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by an orca named Tilikum during a performance.
“[Duffus is] internationally known for his work, and approaches the question of whales in captivity from a scientific rather than an emotional perspective," said Chris Malcolm, chair of Brandon University's department of geography.
"This will be an amazing opportunity for people to engage with a scientist whose research has put him on the front lines of a longstanding debate."
People in the Brandon area are invited to attend a viewing of Blackfish Thursday at 7 p.m. in Theatre B of the Brodie Science Building on the Brandon University campus.
Duffus will be speaking after the movie. He will also be giving a talk focused on his whale research in B.C. at 3 p.m. in Room 4-47 of the Brodie Science Building.