1. Carl Potter!
Reflections on KP2!
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Introduction!
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! The Odyssey of KP2 is a case study of a seal that helps to give insight into the
larger problem of endangered species and the degradation of the environment. This
broad topic does concern me and I do think it is a significant issue and will continue to
be for years. Gaining insight into the amount of time and resources involved in this effort
is very important to preserving the environment. On the other hand in the Odyssey of
KP2 I was put off by the extensive amount of time and money that was being put into
this one animal that was going blind. At the same time appreciated the opportunity to
get a first hand account of this endangered animals life through the journal of a scientist
and not a book with an obvious bias and an agenda. So to say I had mixed feelings
about the topics brought up in the book is an understatement.!
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Personal Experiences!
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! The issue of environmental conservation is important to me, I grew up on an
island in southeast Alaska where marine conservation clashed with people trying to
make a living from the sea’s resources. I can see how community tensions could build
when it comes to an issue that impacts people’s ability to make a living and people’s
concern for the environment. This conflict was not a local issue, it was and is a state
issue that continues today concerning everything from respecting Native Alaskans to
determining whats worth protecting. I saw quite a few similar issues arise in the story of
KP2 and it reminded me that these issues don’t get solved easily or overnight.!
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! KP2’s story gives me mixed feelings in the sense that I approve of we should do
what we can to rescue a species we are responsible for putting on the endangered
species list but it should be done in a effective way. Rescuing, relocating, and protecting
endangered species was always impressed upon me as being very important as I was

2. growing up, however The Odyssey of KP2 gives the impression that the seal was more
of a pet. I thought this loss of focus on preserving a species was unprofessional. The
author was always looking after the seal and its species interests but the amount of time
spent on everyone becoming friends with the seal became excessive.!
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! While I acknowledge the differences between KP2’s story and the examples I
grew up with I still am uncomfortable with the way KP2’s case was handled. KP2 is a
rare case where a seal bonded with humans almost from birth yet I still feel that this is
not a reason to treat him so differently from other cases of rescued pups. The whole
Odyssey seems excessive when in the end he comes full circle and settles where he
started back in Hawaii. I felt that the only factor that begins to justify the way his case
was handled is the fact that he became a mascot and symbol of the need for increased
conservation efforts and awareness. !
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The Book!
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! My opinion of KP2’s story changed gradually from the beginning to the end of the
book. I thought it was reasonable to rescue an endangered seal pup and re-habilitate it
to be released back into the wild. I thought it was reasonable when KP2 was
transported to a lab where more could be learned about the species in order to aid in
conservation. At first there was a very professional approach to dealing with KP2 and
trying to find ways to make him comfortable and get him to eat. The science team
maintained a serious approach and did not try to domesticate him and treated him like a
wild animal. !
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! My opinion really started to change when staff begin to overly buddy up with KP2
and spend more time and money on this one seal. There is also very little mention of
scientific advancement thanks to KP2, whether it was omitted from the book or not that
was one of the main reasons for the seal being at the lab. This seemed to be
counterproductive in terms of conservation efforts, the resources seemed like they could
have been spread out more evenly whether at the lab or with other conservation

3. projects. I felt like this was the point where the staff lost focus and the level of
professionalism dropped. The scientist team seemed to have lost there objectivity which
bothers me as a scientist that they would lose focus like that.!
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! This extra effort was somewhat justified in the end when KP2 became a mascot
and teaching tool for conservation which brought in more resources to conservation
efforts and raised awareness. This future however was not known until near the very
end of the book, this wasn’t a goal for the lab or the science team throughout KP2’s life.
The team just happened to have a rare case where the animal they had been working
with was a spirit animal in Hawaii and also adorable. This kind of bias still seems very
unprofessional to me and just because it worked out does not justify the handling of this
one case.!
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Conclusions!
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! I do believe that in the end KP2’s story did affect me in a positive way, his
published story and his role as a mascot for conservation efforts significantly helps
conservation efforts which is a world wide issue that affects us all. I am concerned about
marine conservation and if a cute seal can raise awareness then I think he is important.
Marine conservation is fairly well funded in coastal area’s but receives little to no
attention from people who live even slightly inland. The Odyssey of KP2 can reach
people who would normally never give it much thought even though they love sushi.!
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! In conclusion I did relate to the larger affects The Odyssey of KP2 has on
creating awareness for marine protection and conservation. I think if a group of
scientists and one seal can have far reaching effects then it is worthwhile to pay
attention and learn from their examples. That way we can think of other effective ways
to make needed changes. In terms of the story of KP2 himself and his journey I really
was pretty indifferent, there are examples like this all over the world. If KP2 had been an
endangered fish or snail there would have been no story or interest. !
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