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 Most people believe that the orca whales come from the wild into captivity because they were either injured or born into the Seaworld family, because thats what Seaworld wants you to think. The truth is some killer whales have been captured in the wild and taken away from their families, and were forced to become show animals. For example Tilikum was kidnapped which is a very traumatic experience since, orcas stay with their families all their lives never leaving their mothers side. The whale captures would include using speed boats, planes, large boats to transport the whales. Once the hunters would find a pod of whales they would would throw bombs or fire guns into the water to keep the whales from splitting up and escaping. The whales started to become more aware of what was happening and would try to trick the humans, by havering the mothers and their offspring swim under water while the males would swim to where the people on the boats could see them. This didn't last long since the planes could see where the other killer whales where and soon the babies would be taken ... ... middle of paper ... ... groups, including SeaWorld's own trainers and staff, have called for the end of the imprisonment of whales.”- SumOfUs. Many groups have been made to let people know the real issues at Seaworld, and some have been made to simply try and support the idea of letting the orcas be set free into the wild. I honestly used to think Seaworld was a super cool place to go and I was especially fascinated by the killer whales. Now after know what I know about Seaworld I don't think I could ever give any money to the to see a show. It's to crule to the animals that I would get to watch them entertain me when the could be living free in the wild where they belong. I have definitely learned a thing or two about the animal crulety that goes on at Seaworld. It has now made me want to look into different wild life centers like zoo's to see how they treat and care for their animals.
Since whales are normally peaceful in the wild and they only seem to attack while in captivity, the argument is that captivity is wrong and dangerous for killer whales. This argument is supported by detailed facts about how the whales are tortured and agitated by other whales with no outlet. Both female and male whales are confined to a swimming pool where they are in a way being forced to try and mate. The female whales tend to abuse the male whales, which leads the whales to become mentally and physically unhealthy resulting in attacks on trainer. In the interviews with Corinne Cowell and Nadine Kallen, they mentioned that when they visited Sealand of the Pacific that three whales were confined to a “dingy pool”. Another appeal to pathos is when a neurologist that has studied killer whales mentions how the animals are very intelligent and are well-aware of what is going on around them. (SeaWorld) Killer whales have similar brains to humans, but have a bigger part of their brain where emotions are processed. With this, whales are more aware of their emotions and the bonds they make with humans and other animals. (SeaWorld) With the huge amount of raw footage, first-hand accounts, and true information, the film is able to grasp the attention of the viewers with the amount of emotion that is shown from the former trainers and the whales themselves. With these tactics, the film effectively appeals to the
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.
The most effective piece of this documentary, however, was neither the structure of the film nor the specific questions that one is forced to answer regarding the ethical treatment of these killer whales, but the overall questions of whether or not these corporations should be allowed to continue their cycle of abuse toward the animals and whether or not we, as patrons, should encourage their behavior by giving them a monetary profit every day, every month, and every year. Ignorance is forgivable, but with the knowledge given in this documentary: the final two questions raised should be able to answer themselves.
Although SeaWorld presents itself as a family establishment full of fun “educational” activities. However, these activities harm animals physically and emotionally.
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
Orca whales are extraordinarily intelligent, social, and friendly animals. They follow a very close matrilineal group, with varying behaviors and languages among each pod. In an interview of John Hargrove, a former SeaWorld orca trainer of 14 years, told National Public Radio, “There’s something almost scary to it, the intelligence level of these animals... how tightly united their social groups are, their family units especially… the animals that are true family members. It’s really remarkable,” (Hargrove). Despite orcas’ familiar nickname “killer whale,” there have been no
After watching several documentaries on how poorly killer whales are treated in captivity, it drew me into researching more information on the treatment of Killer whales that are kept in captivity. I found several scientific journals, and articles on wild life facts of killer whales and I found published books on the treatment of killer whales in captivity. The information I found includes both wild killer whales and killer whales kept in captivity. With the information I found, I plan to prove the shortened lifespan and health problems killer whales get while living in captivity are not normal. In fact the information you learned about killer whales from aquariums and commercial parks are false. This paper will argue why killer whales should not be held captive in commercial parks. This Paper will include information on the killer whale’s diet, the killer whale’s communication, and the killer whale’s physical traits.
I think that killer whale shows should be banned because killer whales can protect themselves in the wild,they can lose natural abilities to hunt and feed themselves, and that killer whale shows can ruin the population of killer whales. My first reason is that, that killer whales could protect themselves in the wild because from a website called “animals.mom.me,” it said that “Orcas in the wild have an average life expectancy of 30 to 50 years-their estimated maximum lifespan is 60 to 70 years for males and 80 to over 100 years for females. The average age of death for orcas that have lived in seaworld is 13 years old.” So this shows that if you do not capture orcas (killer whales), they will have a longer life span because they can protect themselves in the wild and can survive much longer than 13 years in an aquarium.
What is your definition of “family.” A grouping of parents, and children, or maybe a brother and a sister with an aunt or uncle. Well seaworld has redefined family. They tell their viewers that they care about the social structure of their whales, and that they keep families together when in reality their “families” are just an artificial assemblage of whales that they found or bought and put in a pool together. Imagine being put with a bunch of strangers you don’t even know, thats not a family, its just a random grouping. A common controversial issue has been going around the US for years. Should killer whales in seaworld be kept in captivity. Some people believe that it is inhumane and unhealthy whereas others think that it is educational for the viewers and has no negative impact on the animals. Seaworld killer whales should not be held captive.
Everyone who has gotten to experience the fun of going to SeaWorld will always remember Shamu and his friends doing amazing tricks in the water, but as an innocent little kid, you don’t know any better than to admire such intelligent animals. But what you don’t know as a little kid, is what goes on outside of the show. Trust me, it is not good. Killer whales should not be kept in captivity because it is inhumane, and they are too big and intelligent for the environment they are put in.
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
I was surprised with sea world decision, but in the same time glad that they choose to free the whales. I am a huge animal lover but when it comes to animal cruelty I rather to be ignorant about it .I really hope that SeaWorld didn’t make up their mind only because their stocks fell and I hope it will be at least a small example for the world, I am happy that a lot of counties are taking action to protect animals from being only used as an entertainment tool. Little change is happening. I never been to a circuses except if TV counts but yes I have been to a zoo’s and a lot of aquariums and I find it dramatic to predicted the end of zoo, aquariums maybe circus because in my opinion circuses have the same problem of abusing animals and making
Seaworld enslaves there animals.They have a process of enslavement they will either take baby whales from the wild or they will forcefully breed orcas into their horrid system. “At least 163 orcas have died in captivity, not including 30 miscarried or
SeaWorld also claims that the whales being kept there are treated humanely and are in no way unhappy. Although Cowperthwaite’s film clearly explains that that is a far cry from the truth with many trainers saying that the whales were often bullied by others which left them with painful rake marks that are created by teeth scraping against the whales skin. If whales did not perform a trick properly they would not be given food which left the whales hungry and extremely agitated. Behind the scenes footages shows whales being attacked by others with one whale even breaking its own jaw which led to an artery becoming severed and the bled out and died shortly after.
...for that matter. The companies say that all they want to do is educate the public about these wild animals but I don't see that as true. With all the shows, stunts, and tricks SeaWorld trains them to do I think it's safe to say that they're in it for the money. Education is not at the top of their priorities. I have no doubt that marine mammals are taken in for rehabilitation and care, but that doesn't mean SeaWorld should take advantage of that and put that animal in the entertainment business. In my opinion, the only reason SeaWorld of San Diego didn't keep that stranded gray whale is simply because it would eventually grow to be too large for them to keep captive. Whales and dolphins are extremely intelligent and don't deserve to swim in oversized bath tubs their whole life. The ocean is their home, that's where they should be and that's where they should remain.