Is Seaworld Helping or Hurting the Orcas? As a child, the idea of such majestic creatures performing right before your very eyes seems like a dream, but as you grow up, the idea becomes more of a nightmare. SeaWorld can be traced back to 1959 when the first small sanctuary, Busch Gardens, opened to the public. Busch Gardens expanded with the country’s first free-range habitat for herds of animals, more zoological attractions and an array of roller coasters and shows. Busch Gardens changed the name to SeaWorld and opened the gates in 1964. Today SeaWorld has three locations including Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego, and multiple smaller parks. SeaWorld collected a revenue of $1.26 billion in 2017. Although this seems like a compiles interviews …show more content…
to explore the creatures extraordinary nature, the species’ cruel treatment in captivity, and the lives and losses of the trainers and the pressures brought to bear by the multi-billion dollar industry. The first behind-the-scenes view of what actually happens at SeaWorld is what began the anti-captivity movement, and the ending of the breeding program at SeaWorld. According to an article in the Washington Post, “The theme park was flying high with attendance at about 10 million annually. Then the numbers began to decline. For the nine months ending September 30, 2014, the company reported, revenue decreased 7.3%, `a result of a 4.7% decrease in attendance`”(McCoy, 2). However SeaWorld has made many claims to defend their position and completely altered their approach to advertisements by enforcing all the positives that they take part in. The company even published the article, “The Truth about Blackfish,” responding to the documentary, calling it propaganda from animal rights activist, not scientists. How did such a small documentary that is apparently just propaganda make such a huge dent in a multi-billion dollar industry? A shocking truth that many seem unaware of is the similarities between humans and orcas. Orcas are able to learn local dialects, teach one another specialized methods of hunting, and pass on behaviors that can persist for generations, longer possibly than seen with any other species, except humans. Orcas have highly developed neotorexes, and according to the article “Orca and Humans in Captivity”, “The neocortex is responsible for higher-order thinking, conscious thought, language and spatial reasoning. They also have the same spindle neurons that humans have which are responsible for social cognition, recognition of error, motivation to act, self control, etc. Whales and dolphins are reported to have three times the number of spindle neurons than humans” (Bearzi 1). Therefore orcas feel all the emotions that humans do, including happiness, sadness, loneliness, and anger. Having an understanding that these animals are aware that they are in captivity, and that they possess the same emotions that humans do, is an important fact that should be acknowledged. An idea that highlights the similarities between humans and orcas is the parallels of the two species when held in captivity, illustrated in the article, “Orca’s and Humans in Captivity.” Both species are able to innovate new behaviors in order to adapt to new environments, which is not commonly seen in many other species. Once in captivity, orcas are forced to begin the adaptation process with human caretakers. They have to become completely dependent upon humans for all aspects of survival, including eating, procreating, play, and the activities they perform. The natural patterns of life that they possess are stripped from them. Similar to the orcas, abducted individuals also are forced into the adaptation process with their captors in order to survive. Stripped of their natural behaviors, they completely rely on the captor for all aspects of survival. It is a pretty well-known fact that if you remove a human from any other human interaction, they will eventually go insane. SeaWorld published a data set, "SeaWorld Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Profiles Including Aggressive Tendencies," profiling the orcas that are held captive there, and they all seem to share one similar behavior, aggressive tendencies towards humans and towards other orcas.
Seaworld has actually faced fines from putting profit over safety due to incidents of orca aggression. Records show no human death from an orca in the wild, yet three from orcas in captivity. Orcas are even being drugged according to SeaWorld’s documents, to presumably alleviate stress, anxiety, frustration, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and depression. Perhaps these medications are actually used in order to suppress natural instincts to hunt or the frustration of being captive. Orcas in captivity are known to gnaw at iron bars and concrete from stress, anxiety, and boredom, sometimes breaking their teeth and resulting in painful dental drilling without anesthesia. Nonetheless SeaWorld denies the claims in the article, “Truth about Blackfish,” stating that Tilikum is not aggressive and psychotic, blaming the incidents on the individual’s mistakes rather than the orcas acting out. SeaWorld has been permitted to operate under the guise of education and conservation. But they might be manipulating both the amount they actually donate and the information they provide, in order to support their agenda. “SeaWorld has given only $9 million dollars over …show more content…
the last decade toward conservation efforts. This means for every 100 dollars in revenue they bring in, they donate approximately 1 cent toward saving the animals in the wild whose captive counterparts they are exploiting” (Henn, 2). So .0001 percent of their income, after they pay all the utilities and workers, is actually being put towards conservation, even though their commercials make it seem to be a much higher amount. The industry’s focus on educating the public may be misleading as they are just studying captive whales, which show very different behaviors than orcas in the wild. The research they provide also seems to be disjointed in order to support their personal narrative. According to the book, “Killer Controversy,” SeaWorld published a paper, written by three employees, claiming that captive orcas were surviving as long as orcas in the wild, claiming the average life expectancy of a SeaWorld orca was approximately 41.6 years, and 47.7 years for captive- born orcas. Naomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist at the Animals Welfare Institute, proved this wrong using the actual records of orcas. Only one orca has lived past the age of 40. Most haven’t lived past the age of 25. The average life expectancy of a female orca is 50 to 100 years. SeaWorld also declares that their reproductive technology could aid in the fight against the drastic population declines. But only the population of killer whales off British Columbia and Washington is considered endangered, in part due to the capture of its members by SeaWorld and other parks in the 1960s and 1970s. Is the little amount of money SeaWorld contributes and the inaccurate information they provide worth the captivity and torture of orcas? The orcas there experience such emotional distress that it is evident through physical and behavioral signs. In captivity, all male orcas have collapsed dorsal fins as adults, which is a sign of poor health. SeaWorld claims that this condition is common and natural for all orcas. However, collapsed dorsal fins are caused by the unnatural environment of captivity and are rarely seen in the wild. “Only 1 to 5 percent of male orcas in some populations (and none in others) have fully collapsed dorsal fins” ( SeaWorld of Hurt 1). SeaWorld has lost more than 100 whales in the past 50 years, many at very young ages or from seemingly preventable illnesses. The entertainment park has made attempts to justify the poor health of its marine mammals by downplaying the severity and rarity of their afflictions, but the fact remains that captivity leads to some completely avoidable illnesses and even deaths. The article, “Common Illnesses Seen In Captive Whales Proves It’s Time to Empty the Tanks,” illustrates the most common diseases that captive orcas have. Bacterial Pneumonia is the most common cause of death for captive dolphins and orcas. A contributing factor to infection-caused mortality in captive orcas may be immunosuppression. “Pathogens or injuries that the immune systems of wild orcas would successfully combat or manage may be fatal to captive orcas, due to chronic stress, psychological depression, and even boredom. All of these can cause immune system dysfunction or other health problems, including pneumonia” ( Henn 1 ). Infections are also a cause of premature death within the marine parks and are caused by the stress, unbalanced water disinfection with chlorines, and indiscriminate antibiotic therapy. Due to the lack of space, captive whales are forced to spend the majority of their time resting motionlessly at the surface of the water, making them increasingly vulnerable to the viruses that mosquitoes carry. The West Nile Virus has been the cause of death to multiple orcas, and there has been no reports of the virus killing orcas in the wild. The orcas’ diet of dead herring is equivalent to living on a diet of processed frozen food to humans. The diet is scientifically proven to raise cholesterol, cause obesity, and affect the heart. So what’s next? Many animal rights organizations, such as PETA or SeaWorld of Hurt, are pushing for the orcas to be released into the ocean, calling it the “empty the tank” movement, but SeaWorld’s Chief Executive Joel Manby claims that this is not a wise option. "Most of our orcas were born at SeaWorld, and those that were born in the wild have been in our parks for the majority of their lives. If we release them into the ocean, they will likely die” (Mccoy, 2). The article, “Why SeaWorld Can’t Release All its Orcas”, discusses the environmental concerns, such as pollution and other man-made threats, that would make it uninhabitable for the orcas. Also Orcas are highly family oriented animals. The young have to be carefully raised and cared for for an extended period of time. Part of this time, the mother is teaching the offspring how to hunt. While Seaworld uses some hunting behaviors as a basis for their performances, they still aren’t using those skills to hunt. An orca matriline, or a mother line, is one of the most stable social structures in existence. The pods use unique hunting techniques and calls. These are so unique that it may not be possible for one group to reliably communicate with another group. The biggest problem with putting the orcas back into the wild is the unknown, because they don’t know if the orcas would be accepted into a pod, or if they speak the language that a certain pod communicates with, and a pod is essential to the survival of the orca. The idea of releasing them back into the ocean may be a unrealistic, but the solution can’t be to just leave these animals to live out the rest of their lives in the same concrete tanks that they were born in. The most appropriate solution to the dilemma, based off of the research provided, would be for SeaWorld to devote its power to creating sanctuaries where its orcas could be released in the wild, but in the safety of sea pens and with the help of marine biologists. PETA senior vice president Lisa Lange said the defense was incorrect, protesting for seaside sanctuaries where the whales could slowly transition into their natural habitats. “It is a hefty financial investment, but SeaWorld owes it to these animals. It’s the next step they need to take. Currently these animals are swimming in endless circles in concrete tanks.
They need to do right by these animals right now” (Times Magazine 4). Instead of the orcas being forced to perform shows inside a tank, humans would be able to witness orcas in their natural environment, benefiting both the orcas and humans. The research that has been done on orcas in the wild and in captivity provide enough evidence that these intelligent creatures do not deserve to be held captive, especially under the conditions that they have to live through every day. These animals are confined to unnatural social groups for the convenience of their owners, they are bored and restless, and they are forced to perform tricks for food that trainers withhold as punishment, and therefore they occasionally slip into the dark side. By going to SeaWorld, it is just continuing to allow this industry to treat the animals the way they are today. The evidence is clear that orcas do not belong in captivity. They deserve to live the rest of their lives in seaside sanctuaries where the orcas would have a more natural and a less stressful life and where they could feel the tides and waves; see, sense, and communicate with their wild relatives and other ocean animals; and have the opportunity
to engage in other natural behaviors, which they are now denied. Although the orcas cannot speak for themselves, this does not mean humans are superior and have the authority to enslave these animals, especially in the name of entertainment. SeaWorld does care, about their profit and their profit only, not the orcas or the education of the public. Works Cited “About PETA's Campaign Against SeaWorld.” SeaWorld of Hurt, 11 Dec. 2017. Accessed 15 March 2018. Cowperthwaite, Gabriela, director. Blackfish. CNN Films, 19 Jan. 2013. Accessed 19 March 2018. Henn, Corrine. “Common Illnesses Seen in Captive Whales Prove It's Time to Empty the Tanks!” One Green Planet, 8 Feb. 2016. Accessed 17 April 2018. Henn, Corrine. “Does Conservation Justify Captivity? Examining SeaWorld's Efforts to Improve Their Image.” One Green Planet, 14 Apr. 2015. Accessed 18 March 2018. McCoy, Terrence. “A World of Trouble for SeaWorld.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 12 Dec. 2014. Accessed 22 April 2018. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “History.” Where Imagination Meets Nature. Accessed 18 March 2018. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Truth About Blackfish.” Truth About Blackfish, 14 Sept. 2017. Accessed 18 March 2018. Rhone, Lauren, and About Lauren Rhone. “Orca and Humans in Captivity.” Seaworld Pledge. Accessed 22 April 2018. Rose, N. A. 2011. Killer Controversy: Why Orcas Should No Longer Be Kept in Captivity. Humane Society International and The Humane Society of the United States, Washington, D.C. 16 pp. Accessed 12 April 2018. Ventre, Jeffery. “SeaWorld Killer Whale (Orcinus Orca) Profiles Including Aggressive Tendencies.” Scribd, Scribd, 12 Nov. 2016. Accessed 14 April 2018.
being bitten by a mosquito. This is unheard of in the wild, but orcas in captivity
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 to have them in a captivity like SeaWorld is inhumane. I agree with this documentary, Blackfish. This documentary gave a perfect visual representation on 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 only allowing them in a small area to roam. Watching this documentary made me feel sympathy toward these poor animals that must go through with this harsh life style. Just like Cowperthwaite, I strongly believe the orcas shall not be held in these small areas and be allowed to live in their natural
Among the many things that individuals enjoy doing with their families, visiting amusement parks is at the top of the list. Sea World is a multi-billion dollar chain of marine animal parks, aquariums, and animal theme parks. (Wikipedia) When people are watching the rehearsed performances that the animals and the trainers do, the animals and the trainers seem to be happy. Witnessing the interaction between the animals and the trainers can remind individuals of the beauty of nature and it serves as entertainment.
Second reason why they shouldn’t be kept in a captivity. You can’t recreate on orcas natural environment. The pods sea world cannot hold 40 or more whales which are usually in a pod. If it holds 40 orcas they will make more babies and after their gonna be so much whales and the water won’t hold that much whales. Because whales are the size of bus school and is just like 40 bus
After watching Blackfish, if you could only take one thing from the film it should have been that orcas are being kept in captivity under cruel conditions for the sole purpose of their investments and profits off of them. The film starts off with a 911-phone call as the person on the phone explains what is happening. We hear two different calls, one call about a trainer being in the water when they are not supposed to and another call about a whale eating a trainer. At 00:35, the first call has a woman on the line saying, “We actually have a trainer in the water with one of our whales-the whale that they’re not supposed to be in the water
The whales are usually pregnant for 15 to 17 months; but having young every 2 to 6 years. In captivity about 163 orcas have died. As well as about 30 miscarried or stillborn calves (“10 Things…”). SeaWorld force breeds the orca’s. They do this by having the animal lye on its back while they masturbate it. The people take the sample and put it inside of a female (“The Fate of…”). They do this to make the numbers of orca’s they are capturing to go down. In all actuality they are making things worse. They have inbred these animals. They don’t know what it could do to the baby inside of the mother. It could come out with some type of deformation, and the wiring in their brains could become
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.
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
Orcas are meant to be in the wild and swim close to 100 miles a day. Instead SeaWorld decided to capture them and use them solely for entertainment purposes. Orcas in captivity behave nothing like those in the wild and it is due to the fact that the living conditions in captivity are not suitable to keep such an active animal healthy. Tilikum is a prime example of what happens to an orca when they’re kept in a tank against their will. Tilikum ended up killing 3 people, not because he was actively seeking to kill them but because the unnecessary stress on him caused him to get increasingly more aggravated and decided to take it out on the cause of his stress. If orcas were not held captive none of these tragedies would have occurred. SeaWorld is a horrible place and needs to be shutdown for good to stop torturing these immensely intelligent
The Sea Shepherds are group of volunteers who try to protect the sea animals, and capture criminals who kill the animals without permits. Their website has many purposes, one dedicate to collect donations from the reader. Furthermore, they want to protect the ocean wildlife. The website audience includes people who want to protect the ocean, and they want to save the sea animals which will likely be extinct. They offer the audience a chance to donate, volunteer, and stay up to date with ongoing issues involving marine life. This website is outstanding because the sea shepherds host a successful website that effectively reaches out to the audience through appealing to the reader's emotions, logic, and credibility.
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.
Let me first start of by saying that Orca's don't live up to their killer name in the wild, only in captivity. There has only been one report of Orca aggression in the wild. Only 1. In captivity, specifically Seaworld, there has been over 100 reports of Orcas putting humans in danger. I don't believe that Orcas should've ever been called by this nasty name. It was just
It’s a very common practice in todays society for people to go to Sea World and see the famous shamu show while on vacation or out for a day of fun. Many people don’t fully understand how these animals feel while in captivity. Light has been shed on having these killer whales in captivity when a trainer was killed at Sea World recently. At one of the early parks called Sea Land one of the male killer whales Tilicum killed one of his trainers. After this incident Sea Land closed its doors. This meant that Tilicum was up for sale, Sea World jumped at the chance to buy him at a good price. Sea World was not fully aware that Tilicum was the actual cause of his trainers death. This was a death sentence for one of Sea Worlds female trainers. Sea World and companies like it are only in it to make money, these large animals should not be kept in captivity by any means.
Now let’s take a look at Orcas and the torture they go through at places like Sea World and Sea Land. What exactly do you think goes on in there after hours? Do you think they are just trained so well that they are released overnight and just come back the next day by themselves? I sure hope not, though. They are kept in tiny wells, it wouldn’t be tiny to us, but they spend their off time in a little tank with seven to nine other orcas that could be up to twenty three feet long and weigh up to six tons and they aren’t happy so you could imagine what they do to each other while in there.