orcas

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The Orca whale belongs to the oceanic dolphin family. It is highly social and has a matrilineal family group with advanced communication and hunting skills. These mammals are a cohesive group, much like an American Indian tribe. Once born, they stay together in their familial pod for the rest of their lives. The average survival time for an orca in captivity is around four years. This may seem like a reasonable amount of time for an animal, but what most people do not know is that their lifespan is very similar to humans. Imagine only surviving on average four years in captivity compared to approximately 70 years in the wild. Many may ask why is their lifespan so much less compared to that of those in the wild, but in actuality many are unaware of the conditions that an orca must live in when in captivity. Many believe the lifespan would increase because of the help an Orca may receive from humans, in fact it does the exact opposite. Envision living in an area equivalent to that of a bathtub for the remainder of your life, with little knowledge of your family’s whereabouts, only left wondering what is to come. Being captured is one thing, but having to watch your family die right in front of you while doing so, is another. Over 50 years in the making and approximately 201 orcas have paid the price. Only recently have people seen how problematic it is to hold wild, once gentle animals, and yet only a few “miniscule” laws exist to “prevent” any inhumane acts from occurring in captivity. Laws should be made to prevent capture or harm to come to any Orcas in the wild and those still in captivity should be gradually rehabilitated back into the wild, while being assisted to find their old pods, and family. This once thrilling eve... ... middle of paper ... ...n and amongst species. This comes with legislation and oversight of our environment. This is one step to protecting the endangered Orca population but must be expanded worldwide for the outcome to be effective. Works Cited Price, Erika P. Since first orca capture, views have changed. 2008. http://seattletimes.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2004126831_capture16n0.html. "Welcome to Orca Network - Home." Welcome to Orca Network. 21 Feb. 2014 http://www.orcanetwork.org/Main/ "Orca Network Free Lolita - Capture Story." Orca Network Free Lolita - Capture Story. 21 Feb. 2014 . Tierney, Lauren. Overview of Laws Concerning Orcas in Captivity. N.p.: Michigan State University College of Law, 2010. http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovusorcas.htm. 4

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