Philip Demers: Difference between revisions
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Demers' animal training career began in 2000 at MarineLand where he was employed until August 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2012/08/15/mayor-defends-marineland-amid-allegations |title=Mayor defends Marineland |publisher= [[Welland Tribune]] |date=15 Aug 2012 |accessdate=15 Aug 2012}}</ref> In 2007, Demers became the focus of mass media attention regarding his unique relationship with a captive Pacific walrus named Smooshi.<ref name="Toronto Star">{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com/Life/article/180883 |title=Warm walrus love |publisher= [[Toronto Star]] |date=13 Feb 2007 |accessdate=11 Apr 2011}}</ref> Their relationship garnered the attention of such television programs as [[CBC Television|CBC]]'s ''[[The National (CBC)|The National]]'', ''[[Inside Edition]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.insideedition.com/videos/51/smooshi-the-love-struck-walrus.aspx |title=Interview: Smooshi the Love Struck Walrus|publisher=Inside Edition |date= |accessdate=14 Apr 2011}}</ref> and ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''. Demers left his position at Marineland citing allegations of negligent treatment of the animals and unhealthy conditions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/animal-advocates-hold-protest-outside-of-marineland-1.919743 |title=Animal advocates hold protest outside of Marineland |publisher= [[CTV News]] |date=18 Aug 2012 |accessdate=18 Aug 2012}}</ref><ref name=Diebel>{{cite news |title=Marineland animals suffering, former staffers say |author=Diebel, Linda |publisher=Toronto Star |date=15 Aug 2012 |accessdate=21 Dec 2015 |url=http://m.thestar.com/#/article/news/canada/2012/08/15/marineland_animals_suffering_former_staffers_say.html}}</ref> As of fall 2015, Marineland continued to pursue legal action against Demers and other former employees |
Demers' animal training career began in 2000 at MarineLand where he was employed until August 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2012/08/15/mayor-defends-marineland-amid-allegations |title=Mayor defends Marineland |publisher= [[Welland Tribune]] |date=15 Aug 2012 |accessdate=15 Aug 2012}}</ref> In 2007, Demers became the focus of mass media attention regarding his unique relationship with a captive Pacific walrus named Smooshi.<ref name="Toronto Star">{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com/Life/article/180883 |title=Warm walrus love |publisher= [[Toronto Star]] |date=13 Feb 2007 |accessdate=11 Apr 2011}}</ref> Their relationship garnered the attention of such television programs as [[CBC Television|CBC]]'s ''[[The National (CBC)|The National]]'', ''[[Inside Edition]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.insideedition.com/videos/51/smooshi-the-love-struck-walrus.aspx |title=Interview: Smooshi the Love Struck Walrus|publisher=Inside Edition |date= |accessdate=14 Apr 2011}}</ref> and ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''. Demers left his position at Marineland citing allegations of negligent treatment of the animals and unhealthy conditions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/animal-advocates-hold-protest-outside-of-marineland-1.919743 |title=Animal advocates hold protest outside of Marineland |publisher= [[CTV News]] |date=18 Aug 2012 |accessdate=18 Aug 2012}}</ref><ref name=Diebel>{{cite news |title=Marineland animals suffering, former staffers say |author=Diebel, Linda |publisher=Toronto Star |date=15 Aug 2012 |accessdate=21 Dec 2015 |url=http://m.thestar.com/#/article/news/canada/2012/08/15/marineland_animals_suffering_former_staffers_say.html}}</ref> As of fall 2015, Marineland continued to pursue legal action against Demers and other former employees who had claimed deleterious conditions at Marineland.<ref name=Demers1>{{cite news |url=http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/8222246 |publisher=Huffington Post |title=Bill 52 Won't Protect Past Whistleblowers Like Me |author=Demers, Philip |date=1 Oct 2015 |accessdate=21 Dec 2015}}</ref> |
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A news article on 10 August 2017 stated that the park had filed a total of nine lawsuits against activists, former employees and the media since 2012. None of the suits has been resolved in court. On the same date, all of the 11 charges laid by the OSPCA for animal cruelty against Marineland were dropped by the prosecutor who believed that there was no hope of convictions on eight of them. Demers expressed his disappointment: "My jaw's on the floor. It always is. I've tempered my expectations, especially when it comes to this justice system, and especially with the OSPCA. Quite frankly, I find them completely useless."<ref>http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2017/08/10/animal-cruelty-charges-dropped-against-marineland</ref> |
A news article on 10 August 2017 stated that the park had filed a total of nine lawsuits against activists, former employees and the media since 2012. None of the suits has been resolved in court. On the same date, all of the 11 charges laid by the OSPCA for animal cruelty against Marineland were dropped by the prosecutor who believed that there was no hope of convictions on eight of them. Demers expressed his disappointment: "My jaw's on the floor. It always is. I've tempered my expectations, especially when it comes to this justice system, and especially with the OSPCA. Quite frankly, I find them completely useless."<ref>http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2017/08/10/animal-cruelty-charges-dropped-against-marineland</ref> |
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Revision as of 16:54, 10 August 2017
Philip Demers | |
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| Born | Philip Demers March 21, 1978 |
| Occupation | marine mammal trainer |
| Years active | 2000–2012 |
Philip Demers (aka "The Walrus Whisperer") (born March 21, 1978) is a former professional marine mammal trainer at MarineLand in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He is best known for his unique relationship with a captive walrus named Smooshi.
Career
Demers' animal training career began in 2000 at MarineLand where he was employed until August 2012.[1] In 2007, Demers became the focus of mass media attention regarding his unique relationship with a captive Pacific walrus named Smooshi.[2] Their relationship garnered the attention of such television programs as CBC's The National, Inside Edition,[3] and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Demers left his position at Marineland citing allegations of negligent treatment of the animals and unhealthy conditions.[4][5] As of fall 2015, Marineland continued to pursue legal action against Demers and other former employees who had claimed deleterious conditions at Marineland.[6]
A news article on 10 August 2017 stated that the park had filed a total of nine lawsuits against activists, former employees and the media since 2012. None of the suits has been resolved in court. On the same date, all of the 11 charges laid by the OSPCA for animal cruelty against Marineland were dropped by the prosecutor who believed that there was no hope of convictions on eight of them. Demers expressed his disappointment: "My jaw's on the floor. It always is. I've tempered my expectations, especially when it comes to this justice system, and especially with the OSPCA. Quite frankly, I find them completely useless."[7]
Demers was a contestant on Wipeout Canada, becoming the winner of the first episode of the Canadian edition of the show.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "Mayor defends Marineland". Welland Tribune. 15 Aug 2012. Retrieved 15 Aug 2012.
- ^ "Warm walrus love". Toronto Star. 13 Feb 2007. Retrieved 11 Apr 2011.
- ^ "Interview: Smooshi the Love Struck Walrus". Inside Edition. Retrieved 14 Apr 2011.
- ^ "Animal advocates hold protest outside of Marineland". CTV News. 18 Aug 2012. Retrieved 18 Aug 2012.
- ^ Diebel, Linda (15 Aug 2012). "Marineland animals suffering, former staffers say". Toronto Star. Retrieved 21 Dec 2015.
- ^ Demers, Philip (1 Oct 2015). "Bill 52 Won't Protect Past Whistleblowers Like Me". Huffington Post. Retrieved 21 Dec 2015.
- ^ http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2017/08/10/animal-cruelty-charges-dropped-against-marineland
- ^ "Chippawa resident wins big at Wipeout Canada". Niagara Falls Review. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
External links
- "Everyone Loves Marineland". (Interview with Jesse Brown). Canadaland, ep. 113. 21 Dec 2015.
- "Phil Demers". Joe Rogan Experience, ep. 425. 04 Dec 2013.
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