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Beneath the Surface

Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish

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Beneath the Surface

By: John Hargrove, Howard Chua-Eoan
Narrated by: John Hargrove
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About this listen

 Over the course of two decades, John Hargrove worked with 20 different whales on two continents and at two of SeaWorld’s U.S. facilities. For Hargrove, becoming an orca trainer fulfilled a childhood dream. However, as his experience with the whales deepened, Hargrove came to doubt that their needs could ever be met in captivity. When two fellow trainers were killed by orcas in marine parks, Hargrove decided that SeaWorld’s wildly popular programs were both detrimental to the whales and ultimately unsafe for trainers.

After leaving SeaWorld, Hargrove became one of the stars of the controversial documentary Blackfish. The outcry over the treatment of SeaWorld’s orca has now expanded beyond the outlines sketched by the award-winning documentary, with Hargrove contributing his expertise to an advocacy movement that is convincing both federal and state governments to act.

In Beneath the Surface, Hargrove paints a compelling portrait of these highly intelligent and social creatures, including his favorite whales Takara and her mother Kasatka, two of the most dominant orcas in SeaWorld. And he includes vibrant descriptions of the lives of orcas in the wild, contrasting their freedom in the ocean with their lives in SeaWorld.

Hargrove’s journey is one that humanity has just begun to take—toward the realization that the relationship between the human and animal worlds must be radically rethought. Animals Biological Sciences Outdoors & Nature Science
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If you could sum up Beneath the Surface in three words, what would they be?

Haunting, gripping, unforgettable. A book that was captivating from the beginning. Wish it was longer!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, absolutely.

Brilliant and haunting

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I watched the movie Blackfish a few months ago and found that really interesting, so when this book turned up I jumped at it. I did not realize that killer whales were still kept in captivity and made to do tricks. Added to the ethical and animal rights issues is that of corporate greed which makes it even more compelling. There are so many reasons why it shouldn't be happening and this book makes that even clearer than the film. It is very easy listening I got through it fast because I just couldn't put it down. If you were captivated by Blackfish you need to read this book.

A Fascinating true story

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absolutely loved this book. he's so honest and real about his experiences and you csn tell how much he loves those whales. an eye opener even if you've seen blackfish. a trainers first hand experiences and insights into the industry.

heartbreakingly honest and beautiful

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was tremendously raw and from the heart, felt every word, thankyou for sharing your experience John Hargrove

heartbreaking truth

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.