Phil Demers

Date: 2021-01-07 | Duration: 3h 9m

Episode Overview

Phil Demers, a former MarineLand animal trainer turned whistleblower and activist, shares his deeply personal journey exposing the harsh realities of marine mammal captivity. He recounts his 12 years working closely with walruses, especially a beloved walrus named Smooshi, whom he describes as his “baby” and details the emotional bond they shared. Phil reveals the ongoing legal battles with MarineLand, including a $1.5 million lawsuit aimed at silencing him, and the challenges he faces in advocating for Smooshi’s transfer to a proper sanctuary. His stories highlight the cruelty behind the scenes at MarineLand, where animals like Smooshi live in inadequate conditions, such as a bathtub, far from the wild environments they deserve. Throughout the conversation, Phil reflects on the broader implications of captivity laws in Canada and the resistance from institutions protecting marine parks. He also touches on the emotional toll of his activism, the support he’s received from Joe Rogan and others, and the importance of raising public awareness through documentary films. Beyond his fight for marine mammals, Phil discusses his evolving perspective on animal rights, the complexity of human-animal relationships, and the necessity of sanctuary spaces that prioritize animal welfare over profit. His candid storytelling offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of passion, legal struggle, and the fight for justice in the world of animal activism.

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

– Animal Training
– Marine Mammal Captivity
– Walrus Rehabilitation
– Animal Rights Activism
– Legal Battles in Animal Welfare
– Documentary Filmmaking
– Wildlife Conservation
– Animal Sanctuary
– Animal Behavior
– Podcasting
– Mental Health and Activism
– Environmental Law
– Ethics of Captivity
– Animal Communication
– Wildlife Rescue
– Animal Welfare Legislation
– Public Awareness Campaigns
– Human-Animal Relationships
– COVID-19 Impact on Activism
0:00:53 – Animal training lawsuit and public reaction
0:01:31 – Emotional impact of captivity documentary
0:03:50 – Discussion of new Canadian laws on captivity
0:10:31 – Phil's 12 years experience at Marine Land
0:11:34 – Footage of baby walrus and its significance
0:13:52 – Phil becomes surrogate mother to walrus
0:18:57 – Efforts to transfer 17-year-old walrus to better facility
0:20:53 – Phil's social media activism and public updates
0:23:11 – Uncertainty about walrus's current condition
0:31:40 – Current poor living conditions of walrus Smooshy
0:34:00 – Phil deemed problem employee at Marine Land
0:38:02 – Legal judgment without evidence discussed
0:40:57 – Phil's vision for Marine Land's future
0:42:34 – Concept of sanctuary for marine mammals
0:45:10 – Using mistakes to raise awareness
0:47:24 – Comparison to Tiger King and public perception
0:50:36 – Phil fatigue and public engagement challenges
0:55:33 – Discussion on animal lifespans in the wild
1:06:05 – Analogy of captivity to slavery
1:19:20 – Mike Tyson's humility and influence
1:24:00 – Phil's participation and win on Wipeout Canada
1:31:58 – Marine Land's lawsuits against Phil and associates
1:33:25 – Story behind walrus anatomical artifact
1:36:09 – Critique of political leadership
1:38:41 – Emotional response to distressed young animals
1:42:08 – Challenges in human wildlife management
1:45:10 – Impact of domestic cats on wildlife
1:48:33 – Witnessing animal cruelty and protection
1:53:10 – Phil's emotional injury from captivity experience
2:00:28 – Phil's identity as a whistleblower
2:02:24 – Acknowledging personal guilt in activism
2:07:10 – Risks and threats faced by activists
2:10:03 – Funding challenges during COVID-19
2:16:08 – Belief in undiscovered large ape species
2:24:18 – Critique of veganism and activism culture
2:28:21 – Connection between Homo floresiensis and Bigfoot myths
3:04:10 – Gratitude and reflections on podcast experience

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 the joe rogan experience train by day joe rogan podcast by night all day Starting point is 00:00:53 animal training gets sued for 1.5 and i tweeted to you saying dude they're calling me the kanye Starting point is 00:01:31 think it's it's beyond fucked up watching your documentary made me cry man made me really cry Starting point is 00:02:06 He's a fucking warrior. Starting point is 00:02:15 to keep him alive Starting point is 00:02:24 of the things that I was taking could prove useful in the future. Starting point is 00:02:43 You've always been the biggest support. And the fact that you answer all my calls, you're one of the last. And I just know I came to the right place, Joe. You've always been the biggest support. Starting point is 00:03:05 And that doesn't exist without you and I having had done this. Starting point is 00:03:25 It doesn't exist without you and I having spoken. Starting point is 00:03:50 laws coming in Canada. Starting point is 00:04:07 in Ontario, in Canada that are awful that they Starting point is 00:04:23 with having done all this stuff. Starting point is 00:04:40 a lot of places won't talk to me Starting point is 00:05:09 I mean, there's a chance that they're more Starting point is 00:05:32 i mean if we're going back eight years this is literally the beginning of the podcast when it Starting point is 00:06:15 coming on forever and now you're rocking so gray now you're rocking glasses like this it's it's Starting point is 00:06:53 And then years went by and it occurred to me, I'm going to have to go again. Starting point is 00:07:06 You have the most influential podcast in the world. Starting point is 00:07:38 I never stepped foot on the property. Starting point is 00:08:11 attitude and everything about it's just and now the fact that he's gone but yet the lawsuit rages Starting point is 00:08:54 in captivity there's no good side to be running a place like marine land there's no there's no Starting point is 00:09:4...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1590?

Phil Demers was the guest on JRE #1590. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1590?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1590 with Phil Demers, topics include Animal Training, Marine Mammal Captivity, Walrus Rehabilitation, and Animal Rights Activism.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1590?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1590 with Phil Demers is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.