Phil Demers

Date: 2018-02-09 | Duration: 1h 21m

Episode Overview

Phil Demers, a former Marineland marine mammal trainer, shares his firsthand experiences caring for captive killer whales and other marine animals, revealing the harsh realities behind the scenes at the controversial Canadian amusement park. He recounts the deep bond he formed with a particular walrus, describing her protective behavior and intelligence, which fueled his passion for animal welfare. Phil details the health and environmental issues at Marineland, including the use of ozone and chlorine in pools, and the widespread use of sedatives like Valium to manage stressed animals. The conversation delves into the legal battles Phil has faced after speaking out against Marineland’s treatment of animals, including animal cruelty charges filed against the park and the subsequent lawsuits aimed at silencing him. He discusses the challenges of fighting a powerful corporation entrenched in local politics and the toll it has taken on his personal life. Phil also highlights the broader ethical concerns of keeping highly intelligent, social animals like killer whales in captivity, touching on their complex communication, mental health struggles, and the ongoing efforts to establish sanctuaries as alternatives to traditional marine parks. Throughout the episode, Phil offers vivid stories of his time working closely with marine mammals, illustrating both their remarkable cognitive abilities and the cruelty they endure in captivity. His insights provide a compelling call to reconsider how society treats these sentient creatures and the urgent need for systemic change in the industry.

About Phil Demers

Phil Demers is a former marine mammal trainer known for his deep connection with marine life, earning him the title of the "Walrus Whisperer." After a decade working at Marineland, he became an outspoken advocate for animal rights, particularly focusing on the welfare of captive marine animals. Demers gained widespread attention for his efforts to rescue and rehabilitate a walrus named Smooshi, leading to the creation of the Save Smooshi campaign, which has garnered significant public support. His compelling journey from trainer to activist highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding marine parks, making him a fascinating figure in the conversation about animal captivity and conservation.

Key Moments

– Marine Mammal Training
– Animal Welfare Activism
– Killer Whale Behavior
– Captive Marine Mammals
– Animal Cruelty Lawsuits
– Marineland Controversies
– Wildlife Sanctuary Projects
– Animal Communication
– Legal Battles in Animal Rights
– Animal Rehabilitation
– SeaWorld Legislation
– Animal Intelligence
– Animal Captivity Effects
– Public Awareness Campaigns
– Animal Medication and Care
– Environmental Conservation
– Whale Sanctuary Development
– Animal Behavior Studies
0:00:00 – Introduction and stance on wallets
0:01:23 – Phil's care for a walrus becomes a cause
0:02:03 – Use of ozone and chlorine at Marineland
0:03:05 – Phil imprints on a killer whale
0:04:12 – Killer whale begins following Phil
0:06:15 – Discussion on releasing whale into Niagara River
0:08:50 – Animal cruelty charges against Marineland
0:11:34 – Marineland sues OSPCA for $21 million
0:14:00 – Impact of Blackfish documentary on public opinion
0:15:17 – Killer whale throws Phil with her tail
0:19:47 – Animals medicated with Valium at Marineland
0:22:34 – SeaWorld's involvement in killer whale issues
0:26:14 – Size and condition of captive whales
0:28:02 – Whale mimics human voice
0:29:12 – Marineland's political lobbying efforts
0:31:14 – Complex auditory system of whales
0:33:12 – Communication among captive killer whales
0:34:29 – SeaWorld's attempts to defeat legislation
0:37:39 – Use of slings to lift whales for care
0:41:01 – Declining attendance and investment at Marineland
0:43:04 – Beluga whales' mischievous behavior
0:45:18 – Monkeys' differentiated alarm calls
0:46:31 – Dolphin brain size compared to humans
0:48:07 – Origin of animal cruelty charges
0:50:30 – Killing of deer on Marineland property
0:53:35 – Marineland sues Phil on Valentine's Day 2013
0:55:39 – Phil's focus on justice over money
0:58:42 – Support from Ryerson students
1:00:31 – Police involvement and intimidation tactics
1:02:29 – Phil's experience with documentaries
1:06:12 – Phil speaks out against Marineland
1:07:17 – Phil's motivational outlook and 'The Eugene'
1:11:54 – First whale sanctuary project: Seaside Sanctuary
1:15:24 – Hunters' respect for wild animals
1:17:05 – Hope for future animal rights progress

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Nice. Legit. I don't sit on wallets. I don't play with wallets. Fuck no. Starting point is 00:00:27 Bang against your deck. Starting point is 00:00:47 No. Starting point is 00:01:09 so get on your Twitters, get on your this, get on your that. Starting point is 00:01:23 You were taking care of this walrus, and it became like a big cause Starting point is 00:01:44 everything else. I was the guy jumping off the killer whales, doing the flips off dolphins, everything else. Starting point is 00:02:03 marine land, they use an ozone generator, so they use ozone in conjunction Starting point is 00:02:20 effects. I'm talking about a little bit of chlorine. So this was Starting point is 00:02:34 There was like some serious issues, health Starting point is 00:02:48 and things started getting real bad. And of Starting point is 00:03:05 her brain circuitry opens i imprint on her so my smell everything i look like or you know because Starting point is 00:03:30 Well, Starting point is 00:03:38 of drawing blood Starting point is 00:03:48 wrestling her down and, and Smooshy come over. Starting point is 00:04:02 and that's when it happened. Starting point is 00:04:12 She was following me. Starting point is 00:04:25 with these two hands right here, Starting point is 00:04:39 If it's going to happen, yeah. But it does happen when people raise bears Starting point is 00:04:53 Oh, she's protective of me. Starting point is 00:05:08 But she's hidden. Starting point is 00:05:24 You can't get her to do anything. Starting point is 00:05:41 So what's going on with you and them now? Cause there's been a series of Starting point is 00:06:15 into the Niagara River and then watch her go over the falls. I have no interest in that. Starting point is 00:06:38 Because, you know, in lawsuits, you've got to reveal a lot of information in a lawsuit. Starting point is 00:07:00 Yeah, but that doesn't mean anything. Starting point is 00:07:14 But what does that mean? Starting poin...

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1076?

Phil Demers was the guest on JRE #1076. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1076?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1076 with Phil Demers, topics include Marine Mammal Training, Animal Welfare Activism, Killer Whale Behavior, and Captive Marine Mammals.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1076?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1076 with Phil Demers is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.