Killer Whales of the World (Marine Life)

by Robin W. Baird

An in-depth introduction to a ubiquitous, easily recognized, and popular species of marine mammal.

Genres: Natural History, Animals

132 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2002

Reviews

[Katey]

I have mixed thoughts and feelings about this book. On one hand, it does provide information and facts about orca that are new to me and fascinating (although the needed use of the word "unknown" and its synonyms was frustrating), but the overall tone from the author/researcher is one of the old scientific view of nonhuman animals; which is to say that it views the animal as an object, and does not entertain the notion that the animal has emotions, the capability of experiencing joy or sadness, that sometimes (usually more intelligent species) will have behaviour that's motivated by pleasure, and doesn't serve a clear cut evolutionary purpose. Certainly I understand that all other lines of questioning and reasoning must be exhausted before this can be a conclusion, but to not even consider it as an answer is so arrogantly human. Fortunately, this viewpoint is fading, and as this book was published in 2002, may mark it as among the last of its kind to be published. One extinction I will be glad to see come about.

The author seemed to also have a bit of a captivity apologist stance, but since the anticaptivity view was also presented, or at least mentioned, I could say that there was a certain neutrality about it. Which I find very strange, but again, that old scientific view.

But the dangers orca populations face from humans, mainly from overfishing and pollutants, is written about extensively, so overall this is a comprehensive book, with info about the different types of research methods used. I've heard it said that we know almost nothing about orca, and after reading this and all the gaps in knowledge, I'd say that's true.

Really great photos too.