My name is Phil Demers. I used to work at Marineland. I recently posted a video of Zeus, an emaciated walrus. Marineland is suing me for millions. - AMA

In the 12 years of you working there, has there ever been a fire? Specifically at the sea lion show?

Indeed there was. Interesting that you would know that since few do. The roof above the barn caught fire. Nearly smoked out the sealion area. A cop friend of mine came to my house and rushed me there to evacuate the animals. When I got there, the firefighters were ventilating the area.

Wait? Really? I was just referencing this

Truth!

How much longer do you think parks like Seaworld will survive? Do you anticipate that eventually places such as zoos and various sealife parks will simply close due to lack of patronage?

Lets Hope SeaWorld gets onboard and supports the establishment of a seaside sanctuary to retire their whales, dolphins and porpoises to. Some may be released, some not. Stop breeding and provide for them a dignified life with a semblance of a natural world. People won't return to the parks until they do.

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced?

I recommend linking your go fund me page to the post here as well to get more donations.

https://www.gofundme.com/stopmarineland

Also, if you end up being prevented from commenting because your account is new, contact the mods and they'll fix that. You will know by a message along the lines of "you're doing that too much"

I wish you the best of luck.

Biggest challenge I've faced is getting lawmakers to create tangible laws to protect the animals. Lots of lip service, not enough action from Kathleen Wynne.

To be fair do you think you would have got a better response from a corporate loving Conservative government that barely even cares about people much less animals?

When it comes to animals and law, no Government wants to touch it - so they give it to the OSPCA and wash their hands of the issue. We banned orca captivity in Ontario - certainly no small feat. Lots of work to do ahead.

why that walrus so skinny?

Yeah, is it malnourished or is there another problem? Are they simply not feeding it correctly?

From the other thread, he said that the walrus constantly regurgitates its food and plays with it, because it has almost no mental stimulation.

Correct. Captivity is literally killing Zeus.

Is Kevin Smith involved somehow?

He once liked a tweet of mine.

Have you or anyone else been able to observe any increase in animal health since awareness was brought to this issue?

In the case of Smooshi the walrus, absolutely! I believe she would be dead today had I not spoken out.

Why is John Holer able to get away with all of this crap? Not just the abuse of the animals at Marineland, but also stuff like threatening to kill people or shooting people's pets?

I really don't get why he isn't behind bars already.

$$$ of course! Here's a valuable resource - http://www.marinelandindepth.com/2013/07/john-holer-monster-behind-marineland.html

During your time at MarineLand, have you noticed a decrease in patrons?

Their attendance is in steady decline, despite Niagara Falls boasting a 20% increase of tourism.

I am so sick and tired of animals living in captivity STRICTLY for human enjoyment. Zoos claim they help with conservation which I am much more likely to buy than this shit. Marineland and Seaworld need to be outlawed. This type of shit just destroys me inside. ANYWAYS end of my rant... question: What is the reason these animals are so hard done by? Is it lack of staff? too small of an enclosure? untrained staff? or management just trying to pinch pennies whenever they can?

All of that, compounded by the stress and fear that some animals can never shake after being captured from the wild. Some reject a life of captivity outright - http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/4661034

ugh... how did you do this for 12 years? I feel like id just ball my eyes out everyday having to force feed a dolphin, or knowing it died in a sad, lonely state. You are stronger than I.

I stayed for the animals. Smooshi the walrus of course - http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/20/is-marineland-abusing-smooshi-the-walrus.html

What can your average Joe do besides clicking like?

www.SaveSmooshi.com helps. Our lawsuits hold the keys to cracking open Marineland's books.

What do you hope happens to Smooshi in the end? What do you want for her?

I want her moved to a facility that can better address her needs, and that I can be a part of her life when she needs me.

Sorry for the added questions. It's basically the question I meant with the first one.

What kind of facility? I know with orca's, sea-pens for animals that can't be reintroduced are considered best practise by a lot of people. What kind of facilities etc, are considered best practise for walruses? What kind of environment, stimulation, room etc do they need to flourish in captivity?

Thank you for taking the time to answer my first question. I hope that you're reunited with her soon.

There is an outdoor exhibit in Quebec that would be better suited for her. At least she'd see the sunlight and I could visit. Beyond that, I'd like to think that future whale sea pens could offer an area for pinnipeds. Obviously it would be a controlled environment, but Smooshi and I could take long walks on a pebbly beach.

Better proof please.

done.

Attorney here. Why they suing for millions when they know they can't collect it (unless you're wealthy)??

It's a SLAPP suit. They just want to silence me. The legal process itself is pretty grueling, so they're leveraging it as a means for revenge.

They have bankruptcy in Canada?

They do. Marineland is bound to declare it at some point.

Podcast with Joe Rogan and Phil Demers, for anyone interested and wanting more info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCvjelzBBa0

Phil, How can the rest of the world help? I am from Sydney,Australia for example. Writing to my local member won't really do anything I dont think?

A contribution to SaveSmooshi.com is always helpful - otherwise spread the message, pics and videos. The Internet has no borders!

How would a place like marine land manage to hide these problems from CAZA and AZA?

CAZA is an industry association. Marineland pays them dues. They'll never bite the hand that feeds them. I used to tour CAZA personnel. They were there to facilitate all of Marineland's needs, including mitigating the damage done when 15 whistleblowers spoke out.

What was the hiring process like for working at Marineland? I'm assuming that you didn't become aware of the problems until you were already working there, but was there anything shady about it in retrospect?

My first day at Marineland, my job was to scrub orca blood off the arcade floor. The area where the sea lions lived was jaw droppingly sad - but I assumed the people who knew stuff about animals figured it to be a good place, so I decided to stick it out. Eventually, I just got used to the environment. I was a kid, what did I know about whales needs?

Are you worried they'll win? Do you have a strong case against them?

They won't let this get to court. The only way they can "win" is if they bankrupt me before we can get to court. I won't let that happen - and so we continue the chase.

Do you think there will be a drastic change within a decade?

There's already drastic change, starting with Marineland's abysmal attendance - today being the worst I've ever seen!

Has anyone tried to bribe you to stop? If yes, what did you say?

No bribes. Wouldn't take money. I have promises to those animals to keep.

Big fan Phil love what your work has done, do you ever think they will attempt another rehabilitation of an Orca like they did with Keiko? When will you be on Rogan again?

There will definitely be more rehabilitation and releases of captive orcas - guaranteed! I'm saving my next Rogan appearance to promote the book Marineland will surely sue me for. Gonna be an eye opener.

What are you being sued for?

I'm being sued for "plotting to steal Smooshi the walrus" https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/08/15/marineland_heartache_for_smooshi_the_walrus_as_top_trainer_quits.html

You ever eat walrus?

No.

What's on your shirt?

It's a SaveSmooshi T-shirt. Been fighting Marineland for a long time now! http://imgur.com/a/MAX3t

Nice. Can I donate to your cause by buying one? You may have posted it and I missed.

I tried gifting shirts for contributions but the overhead was just too much. Maybe I'll try again in the future though!

Which animals do you feel are the least impacted by captive life ? Thanks.

I'm not a fan of captivity, but if I had to pick 2 animals that can stomach it, in my experience that would be seals and sea lions. Chlorine messes with their eyes - but in a proper facility, this shouldn't be a problem.

Have your experiences with Marineland altered your opinions of different animals, including those you didn't work with?

Indeed. Witnessing and experiencing the hardships imposed on captive animals really opened my eyes. It simply isn't worth it.

Will the Bills make the playoffs???

Can we get Flutie out of retirement?

Are you open for a float this labor day weekend?

Very yes.

when's the next time you're going on joe rogan's podcast?

As soon as my book is published.

I don't think a picture of a guy hugging a walrus is proof enough that he actually worked there.... And I don't think anybody who had actually worked with marine mammals in captivity would actually be for releasing them into sea pens or the wild. After living in filtered and clean water their whole life they wouldn't have the immunity to survive.

(Haven't worked with marine mammals but have with other species groups in aza zoos)

Let's talk about Marineland's water - https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/08/15/marineland_log_details_reveal_water_quality_issues.html