The Orca Research Trust Internship
The worlds biggest little orca advocate is going to New Zealand for three weeks to study the Orca with world renownd ceteologist ( a whale biologist) Dr. Ingrid Visser - Founder, The Orca Research Trust in New Zealand.
London is a nine year old from Washington state who has a deep regard for the ocean and marine mammals, especially cetaceans. At a young age she has displayed a great interest in cetacean and marine biology and was deeply moved by the film Blackfish. Shortly after watching the film she was able to attend a screening at a local community college and was then inspired to do what she could to raise awareness and educate others about the plight of captive orca.
Her first opportunity to do this was with her first grade class. She atteneded several lectures and symposiums put on by the Orca Network in Whidbey Island, WA Where she met founder Howard Garrett. He gave her all the information she needed to do a presentation about our Southern Residents and thanks to her wonderful teacher Shannon Nevarez she had a class to present it to! She took the time to get all of the facts about our local Southern Resident Orca population, their diet and how we can help to maintain their habitat and presented them to her class. She also made sure to educate them on the plight of Lolita, the only Southern Resident who is currently being held in captivity.
Her education and need to make a change grew even more after attending her first Superpod, an annual symposium and gathering of scientists and orca advocates on San Juan Island. There she had the privilege of listening to and meeting some of the world's top Orca researchers and scientists. One of the presenters she was most interested in seeing was Dr. Ingrid Visser of The Orca Research Trust, she is a personal hero and great inspiration to London. After one of the lectures London had a chance opportunity of meeting Dr. Visser, she asked London if she would be attending her lecture the following day to which she replied with an enthusiastic YES! The following day we attended the lectures and London not only got the opportunity to see Dr. Visser again, she also presented London with a copy of her children's book which she then signed for her. They often say that you should never meet your heroes because you'll likely be disappointed…In this case that quote couldn't have been more wrong.
Shortly after Superpod London and her father became responders for the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Through them she has gained experience in responding to and handling marine mammal stranding and deaths, and how to follow the proper procedures. She was awarded the Bob Ryerson memorial volunteer of the year in 2015 for the most hours logged responding to dead and stranded marine mammals. Through her volunteer work she has gained more experience towards her future goal of being a Marine Biologist, specializing in Cetaceans.
After attending this year's Superpod she was further inspired to take up a more serious and pertinent issue regarding the Southern Resident Orcas, the need to Breach the lower Snake River Dams. Her goal is to spread awareness of how serious an issue this is for the orca as the dams are directly impeding the number of wild salmon, which is their main food supply. She has started a non-profit which is also a club for other young advocates called Blue Advocates. Through this small organization she hopes to educate other children (and adults) of the current issues regarding the dams, as wells as the need to maintain wild habitats. She is now the face of damsense.org and was asked to speak on a panel at the washington state convention center about young people following thier dreams.
Now she has an invite from Dr. Visser to join her in New Zealand for an internship to experience the daily work of a whale researcher. She also plans to use any additional funds to make a donation to the Orca Research Trust.
“Having now met London at two Superpod symposiums, I’m delighted to be able to offer her the chance to put all her hard work into practise. She will be onsite at the Orca Research & Education Center as a trainee research assistant and learn first-hand what it takes to be a cetologist and the jobs that encompasses. My hope is that from this experience London will be able to inspire others to care for and protect cetaceans around the world as well as follow her dream of becoming a whale biologist herself.” – Dr Ingrid N. Visser – Founder, Orca Research Trust.
Londons ultimate goal is to earn her PhD in Marine Biology and get her own marine mammal emergency response vessel to respond to Orca, and dolphins in citical need of emergency care in Washington State. For more information about London and her endevours visit her facebook page The Blue Advocates Group .
