Seaworld: Pros And Cons Of The Killer Whales

(A)Introduction

The orca, also known as the killer whale,is a giant animal that belongs to the oceanic dolphin family. Orcas are carnivorous and feed on fish, birds, and other marine mammals. When hunting, they are so vicious, they are even known to kill sharks. Orcas use echolocation, a series of high pitched clicks, to stun prey. Adult orcas usually weigh about 8,800 pounds and are about 28 feet long. These mammals are usually pregnant for 13 to 16 months. At the least, after the calf is born, it stays with its mother for 2 years. Having a lifespan of 50 years, they usually stay with their mother their whole lives depending on what pod they are from. Currently, these precious mammals are being threatened. They are highly susceptible to

disease making the pollution very detrimental to them. They are also threatened by noise pollution, food shortages, and live captures. Live captures being places like seaworld, that has sparked a lot of controversy recently.

(B)Types of orca populations
There are three main different types of orca populations out there. These include resident pods, transient pods, and offshore pods. Resident pods stay with their mothers their entire lives and live in big groups. The difference in appearance is that they have a rounded dorsal fin instead of pointed, like the other pods. In transient pods, the first born male stays with their mother. Others leave their mother at 5-12 years old. These live in small groups and their saddle patch is further forward than the other pods. Offshore pods are usually found in groups of 30-60 and they are very similar to resident pods. The strongest dissimilarity is the difference in the set of calls they use to talk to each other.

(C)Summary of Blackfish
The movie Blackfish shows us the horrible consequences of keeping an orca in captivity. This film specifically is about an orca named Tilikum that was captured from the North Atlantic and was held captive. We get to see the many incidents that this aggravated killer whale had caused. He killed and injured multiple of his trainers. They've come to think that their harsh living conditions and isolation from its pod are what causes this behavior. The big question, that they still don't know how to answer is, should orcas be held captive any longer?

(D)Personal reflection of Blackfish
I personally believe that orcas should not be held captive any longer.

We have no right to mess with nature like that. An orca has no right to be living in those horrible conditions. It is a danger to orcas, and humans. People may think otherwise but that's only because Seaworld lies about the incidents that happen there and they give out false information about the orcas. They shouldn't continue to breed more orcas to keep captive. They need to let the ones they have die off and continue this no more.

(E)Pros and Cons of Seaworld
Seaworld does have some positive intentions but the cons outweigh the pros. The only good Seaworld is doing is providing people to do research on their orcas. The cons include a collapsed dorsal fin as well as health concerns and illness. The confines spaces and separation from their pods also depresses them. This can cause aggression and causes them to not live as long as they should.

(F)Personal reflection of Seaworld and orca captivity
Seaworld is not exactly how they make it seem. The animals are treated horribly just so they can be used as entertainment. Many people just don't see it because Seaworld lies about it and gives out wrong facts and information. I think Seaworld needs to stop breeding the orcas and let them die off. No more orcas need to be

tortured.

(G)Additional threats to orcas
One of the other top threats to orcas is noise pollution. The things that contribute to this include boating, water sport activities, cargo ships, navy sonar exercises, whale watching ships, and fishing vessels. These sounds can elicit a change in orca behavior and can cause injury or death. We can lower the chances of noise pollution hurting orcas by getting rid of whale watching ships. There's no need to go that close to the orcas just for fun. We are damaging them just for entertainment.

(H)Conclusion
All in all, captivity is really bad for orcas and we should stop it right away. Seaworld needs to be shut down. These orcas don't deserve to be tortured like they are. Nature isn't supposed to be messed with.