Bailey Donley
Brownlee
American Lit
28 November 2014
Trapped inside a giant swimming pool, immensely smaller than any natural surroundings, helpless, with no way of escaping. Captive marine mammals are enslaved to a life of research and show tricks. Aquariums, like Sea World, have been holding sea creatures in captivity for years. Aquariums are meant to hold mammals for show, education and rehabilitation. These animals are typically supposed to be put back in the wild after they have reach health levels to survive in the wild. SeaWorld is a company who has not made any regular repetition to the releasing process. I support deeper research about marine animals but there should be strict limitations and even deeper regulations. If any aquarium
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or business cannot abide to these regulations, the business should be shut down. Aquariums are inhumane because of their insufficient habitats, physical trauma and psychological health problems. An animal’s surroundings are a significant factor in the case of how aquariums are inadequate. The habitats these marine animals are placed in are too small for these animals to sufficiently get all the exercise they need. These quarters cannot even slightly compare to their wild environment, the ocean. Of course a habitat as large as the ocean is unattainable but nevertheless, present encasings are too small. For an orca to swim as much an orca naturally would in the wild, the whale would need to swim 1400 laps around the tanks (Us.Whales). Although the animal’s homes in captivity are away from predators, they are still a risk factor for these animals to contract human illnesses. The marine animals can capture anything from a cold to a severe disease, (World Animal Protection). The trainers in these aquariums often starve their animals so they will do tricks in return for a snack, (Us.Whales). Not meeting calorie requirements has severe problems on their internal health. An animal's habitat and treatment will affect their physical health significantly, potentiating causing serious injuries or even death. Animal captivity has been linked to a number of deaths and injuries to both the trainers and animals.
Captive orcas are forced to swim in shallow pools causing a 100% chance of dorsal fin collapse. Dorsal fin collapse is when a whale’s dorsal fin is completely toppled over and bent. This does not necessarily harm the animal but dorsal fin collapse is not a natural thing. Dorsal fin collapse is caused by pattern swimming, swimming in a single direction or circles. Another cause could be dehydration or water temperatures. This occurs in less than 1% of the wild population, (Us.Whales). 92% of SeaWorld's orcas did not live past the age of twenty-five. The average lifespan of an orca whale in the wild is at least 30, (Us.Whales). Dolphins are forced to do a trick that requires them to leap onto a platform and beach themselves. The pressure and gravity the dolphins apply when doing that trick can literally crush their organs, (World Animal Protection). Death rates of bottlenose dolphins increase 6 times during and after capturing from the wild, (Us.Whales). The dangers of marine mammal captivity are even more severe. There have been over 100 aggressive attacks against humans and 4 human deaths from contact with captive orca whales. In the wild, there have been zero deaths and only a single aggressive attack, (Us.Whales). There has been a lot of controversy over these deaths and injuries and SeaWorld has an excuse for …show more content…
them. SeaWorld claims that holding animals in captivity is essential for education and research.
Little has been learned from the captive animals at the SeaWorld Facility and others. The research Aquarium scientists have discovered is only relevant for captive animals. The research is relevant when speaking about the captive counterparts to these marine animals but not when it comes to wild species. SeaWorld also makes a statement saying rehabilitation for these animals in a facility is essential, (CNN). I agree, marine animals do need rehabilitation, however, keeping them for shows and displays should not be a part of it. Companies, especially SeaWorld, are using these animals to create a profit. Large marine mammals such as Orca whales bring in a large amount of business alone. The Orca shows, specifically Shamu one of the most popular Orca Whales, bring in very large audiences. People from around the world spend thousands to travel to the SeaWorld locations just to see the remote facilities and amazing sea creatures in possession. When combined with all the other animals and attractions, these companies can make millions. In fact, in 2012 SeaWorld had a net income of 77.4 million dollars, (Wikipedia). The whole point of rehabilitation is to be able to heal the animal so it can go back out into the wild. Aquariums have become more for the benefit of human than the animals. However, the animals should remain the main focus. This research and rehabilitation goals is actually
doing more harm than good. In captivity, Orcas and other marine animals show severe signs of psychological trauma only known in captive counterparts of these animals. Orcas are ripped from their families and forced to do tricks in a tank all day. When not doing shows, they can be placed in smaller tanks. The confinement of these animals in small places together can cause severe stress and aggression. Being forced to stay in these tanks with no escape can cause these animals to be bored and psychologically stressed, (Born Free USA). Captive marine mammals are deprived of natural activity level as well as interactions with their natural environment. Wild orcas never show severe aggression and the type of stress captive mammals too, (PETA). Marine mammals communicate through echolocation. When these animals are alone and in tanks, their echolocations will bounce of the walls and can potentially drive them insane, (PETA). The psychological health problems that have been appearing because of captivity are exactly one of the reasons why companies should stop capturing and holding these animals. The physical and psychological abuses show beyond significant inequalities that are simply inhumane. The environments for these animals are ludicrous. The tanks are too small and severely affect physical health. The routines and isolation happening at aquarium causes severe psychological problems leading to aggression, which can cause violence. The mistreating of such amazing and beautiful animals personally appalls me. There are so many other options to see these animals, especially ones that do not cause harm. I know I would much rather go out into the wild to see an Orca swimming with its family than in a giant fish bowl. These marine mammals need to be brought back to their families. It is time for everyone to stop companies similar to SeaWorld. The whole world needs to stand up and refuse to support the enslavement of these animals. There should be no more animals taken from the wild. SeaWorld should only be allowed open as long as the remaining Orca members they currently have are alive. The whole world should not let them tear apart more animal families. Works Cited: "Marine Animals in Captivity." US World Animal Protection. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. Wolfe, Linda. "Get The Facts:." Ten Fast Facts about Captive Orcas and Dolphins. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. "Captivity." WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. "SeaWorld Responds to Questions about Captive Orcas, 'Blackfish' Film." CNN. Cable News Network, 28 Oct. 2013. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. "Aquariums and Marine Parks." PETA. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
Thesis Statement: Closing SeaWorld’s doors would be unjust, however; SeaWorld can repair its image by providing excellent care for its current residents and by shifting the business model from entertainment to rescue, rehabilitate and release at all locations.
Seaworld is a giant marine life theme park. The greatest attraction to these many theme park would be those killer whales. In fact, these killer whales are the face of the park. As gigant as these mammals are, seaworld is keeping them in some pretty tight quarters. Mr. Jett and Mr.Ventre says “Wild killer whales can swim a hundred miles daily as they socialize, forage, communicate, and breed. In stark contrast, with little horizontal or vertical space in their enclosures, captive orcas swim only limited distances, with most spending many hours surface resting.” The animals don't have the freedom they need. Also when taking the whales out of their natural habit the whales tend to be depressed and not as heath in that situation. They need their freedom in the big ocean blue. Bring them into the small living units, breeding whales in captivity all for the entertainment of humans. At young ages the calves are taken away from their mothers on to a new seaworld park. Mothers of the calves have even been seen denying their offspring.
The trainers, along with Cowperthwaite, believe having them in a captivity like SeaWorld is inhumane. I agree with this documentary, Blackfish. This documentary gave a perfect visual representation of why I do not like having animals in a cage or in a small area. Having animals captive, working hard, and hardly fed is wrong, especially when only allowing them in a small area to roam. Watching this documentary made me feel sympathy towards these poor animals that must go through this harsh life style.
SeaWorld tour guides have also falsely told the public that collapsed dorsal fins are very common among orca whales, but specialist have identified that less than one percent of dorsal fins actually collapse in the wild. SeaWorld has also stated that the average lifespan of an orca is twenty five to thirty years but an orca can live approximately the same amount amount as humans which could be up to one hundred
Out of the 156 whales they have taken into captivity from the wild, 129 are dead. Including orcas bred within SeaWorld, at least 165 have died in their facilities (Schelling). Another falsehood SeaWorld claims is that collapsed dorsal fins are completely normal and common of all male orcas. It is actually quite rare to find in the wild, while every single one of their male whales has a collapsed dorsal fin (“8 Shocking Facts…”). SeaWorld also guarantees that they never separate a calf from its mother and even have posted a picture of a baby and its mother as proof. What they didn’t tell the public was that soon after that picture was posted they shipped the calf off to Spain alone to a different park. A past trainer even said that there had been at least 19 separations of mother and calf that he knew of at his location. All of these factors previously stated added up have a large influence on the whales mentally. Many whales are afflicted by psychosis and anxiety and in turn are given drugs such as Valium to keep them performing in shows. There have been various occasions, often swept under the rug by SeaWorld and away from the public eye, where the drugs didn’t work enough (Schelling). There
Millions of people come from across the world to visit Seaworld every day without thinking about the lives of the animals behind the scenes. Why would they have concerns? From Seaworld’s commercials to the website, they convince the general public that Seaworld is the place to go to see the happy sea animals perform. If Seaworld is such an ecstatic place, what excuse does Tilikum, their greatest well known orca whale, have for the three attacks on trainers? The documentary “Blackfish” was created by the director Gabriela Cowperthwaite because she questioned herself after realizing Tilikum's odd behavior over time in captivity, and if there was any indisputable parts to animal captivity?
It all began with good intentions. People thinking that they can control these animals and not expect any negative impacts. It was all due to wanting to explore and entertain with the animals. However, not all animals are meant to be taken from the wild to be show animals. After many years of unfair ways, SeaWorld is doing the right thing by closing down the whale exhibit even if it isn’t by choice because it is unhealthy for both the humans and animals involved.
Now, Seaworld talks about the animals they rescued because of probable causes, such as illness or injury, any chance they can get, like on their website “With a legacy of animal rescue spanning more than 50 years and benefiting more than 25,000 animals, responding to wildlife in crisis is a commitment we take to heart”. Seaworld will always bring up the animals they save and the animals they give “better” lifestyles to, but what about the animals that they ripped from their family and habitat in order to make a few bucks from the american people, who, for some reason, have a weird obsession over seeing wild animals in tiny cages performing inhumane acts of torture? Well what about those animals? Those animals are forced to live in tanks no bigger than 150 ft x 80 ft and 36 ft deep. An example of one of these animals would be Tilikum. A 34 year old male Orca, who weighs 12,500 lbs and is 22 feet in length was stripped from his family in 1983 from the waters in Iceland waters with no injuries or illness. Seaworld had taken a 2 year old baby orca from his family and have kept him captive for 32 years of his life. But he isn’t the only one. According to The Whale and Dolphin Conservation organization’s website “At least 148 orcas have been taken into captivity from the wild since 1961”. 148 families have been broken, and 148 orcas have died, physically or mentally, while living in tanks equivalent to a bathtub to us . While the debate over zoos, aquariums and animal entertainment are still being talked about, These facilities should be exposed and shut
For 50 years SeaWorld has entertained park guests with numerous stunts involving the majestic sea creature, the orca, also referred to as the killer whale, and their human trainers. What the on-lookers don’t see at these shows is what goes on behind the scenes: how the whales got there in the first place, and the conditions in which they are housed.
SeaWorld presents itself as a family establishment full of fun “educational” activities. However, these activities harm animals physically and emotionally.
Captivity is the state or period of being imprisoned, confined, or enslaved, according to Wiktionary. Every year, marine parks and aquariums, like SeaWorld, make billions of dollars through ticket sales. SeaWorld estimates about 70% of their total revenue is due to their performing killer whales (Jeffs). People visit from all over the world to encounter killer whales up close. “Their beauty and power, combined with willingness to work with humans, have made them legendary performers” (Gorman). In recent years, humans have gained the ability to tame and train these creatures. Killer whales should not be kept in captivity simply because it is cruel, unnatural, and dangerous.
If you have ever been to Seaworld you would have had to go see the Killer whales in fact its one of the top attractions there. Through the eyes of a child, these gentle giants seem to be happy, healthy, and enjoying a playful game with their trainers. The question is are they really happy, do they get treated the right way, and why have there been deaths and injuries. Many people wonder about these things and after the movie Blackfish came out more and more people began to question how well Seaworld treats their animals. “The truth is that Sea World keeps its animals for entertainment and money and helps no one but themselves.”- Animal Legal Defense Fund
The first issue I will be addressing in this discussion is SeaWorld, a world famous sea life amusement park. SeaWorld is a very controversial business as one half of the organisation is to protect sea life around the world, such as stopping large mammals from being stranded. Although this sounds very heroic and like it’s a good thing, sometimes it’s actually not. Some mammals are re-released back into their natural habit straight away or ta...
There have been many people working to help with this issue. The majority of the activists working on this issue think that a sea sanctuary would be the best solution for the animals. A sea sanctuary is a netted-off area in a natural body of water. Most of the whales and dolphins have been living in captivity for many years and wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild anymore. A sea sanctuary would let them retire from performing, have less forced family groups, and have a more natural, peaceful environment for them to live in. The idea is that the sea sanctuaries would eventually be empty since there won’t be anymore breeding of the captive animals or capturing of wild animals. The Whale Sanctuary Project is looking for a
Animals should not be kept in captivity for any reason unless they have been harmed and need to receive treatment, but they should be released as soon as they are healthy and capable of taking care of themselves again. The use of a captive animal for research, education, or entertainment is just wrong; no creature deserves to have their life taken away for our benefit. Would you want to be captured and put in a tiny box, or a fake little ecosystem, or abused and tortured because apparently that’s the only possible way to train an animal? How about just knowing that your real life is over and now all you get to do is put on a show for people? That is what we put these animals through for our entertainment, we tear children away from their parents.