a sad, sad day at seaworld
I'm sure that by now most of you have heard about the SeaWorld trainer who was drowned by a Killer Whale a few weeks ago. Dawn Brancheau was drowned by the whale after a show at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. She was apparently standing by the 35 foot deep tank at Shamu Stadium. The whale jumped up, grabbed her by the waist and inevitably drowned her. This is so sad for this woman and her family.
I am very against SeaWorld and all other zoos and animal parks that charge people money to keep wild animals in small tanks or cages. These whales are so smart, and swim thousands of kilometers in the wild. They are responding to the frustration of being forced to live in an area equivalent to what a bathtub would be for us. They are bored, depressed, lonely, and never get a chance to do what should come naturally to them...swimming in the ocean, jumping in waves, choosing a mate, and living with their familes.
They listen to the noise of thousands of people visiting them (their steps vibrating through the walls of their tank) and often develop health problems from breathing and drinking their own urine and waste. They can end up with nutritional deficiencies from an insufficient diet and vision problems from the chemicals and chlorine in the tanks.
It's not the first time that something like this has happened. If SeaWorld continues to keep whales in captivity, it will not be the last. It is about time that SeaWorld, and other places like it, realize the harm that they are causing the animals, as well as the danger that they are putting the trainers in, and stop all of this. If you want to help, you can go to PETA's website and send the Blackstone Group (the company that owns SeaWorld) a message asking them to release these beautiful animals to sanctuaries that can provide them with a more natural environment
Ideally, one day, no animals would be held captive, but until that happens, we can urge places like SeaWorld to release their animals into sanctuaries where they can receive assistance if necessary. It's a messed up situation because even after the whales are trained for release into the wild, they are often poor hunters and do not interact well with other whales... hence the reason the whole idea of captivity needs to be put to a stop.
You can also become a fan of the "Free Tilly" fan page on Facebook. This page consists of a bunch of people who are demanding that Tilly, the whale involved in the accident, be released before another tragedy like this occurs.
We can still learn about sea animals without watching them swim around in captivity! They could be replaced with large robotic creatures. There are several educational exhibits that do this. Or you can watch nature programming on Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet, etc.
Why do we need to be able to touch everything... and have things on display for us? We can, and should, keep some things special in life, and imagine them and dream about them instead of having it in front of us to see at the expense of their health and sanity.
When things are in their natural state, untouched, is when they are most special. Let's do what we can to help give these animals a chance at a normal, happy life.
46 comments
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I wish that before people took wild animals out of their natural environment, they would just imagine being taken out of THEIR environment. I mean, if some species came and took humans, and just set us in cages- what kind of life would that be for us? With animals, it's no different. They have feelings. If every human being could understand that main point, then I think the world would be a much better place.
Thanks Alicia, for giving like-minded people a forum to discuss these issues. I think it's important to talk about this stuff... talking will hopefully lead to action, and action will hopefully lead to resolution. -
I was so disturbed by the drowing of Tilikum's trainer, that I started my Facebook group: A Call for the release of all captive Orcas. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=319692138470
Thanks in advance for your support!
Peace,
Robin Adams -
It is abhorable that humans have named this massive, magestic animal the "killer" whale and then act surprised when they actually do kill. Humans are such a terrible way to treat animals.
msred5@yahoo.com -
I agree that animals should not be held captive, but I think it's too late to free Tilly. I don't think this particular whale could survive, now that too much time has been spent in captivity. I may be wrong, but it seems likethat will be the argument by Sea World - he has spent too much of his life being hand-fed and probably can't fend for himself in the wild. So sad... for everyone (and whale) involved... -
This is truly a tragedy. And many places like Sea World that keep their animals in an cruel and small enclosure should be punished. And many zoos should, too.
SOME zoos, however, are doing good and this I feel can't be ignored. Many zoos take in animals from the wilds who are hurt or dying or abandoned and give them a place to heal (and then release them back into the wild- gorgeous!)
And I'm even going to go as far and say that if the zoo treats their animals right, give them enough space to roam and rest and feed, and not put them under any performance pressure, well...the animals are NOT suffering. The pressure and terror of "eat or be eaten," "hunt or be hunted" and the terrible life and death situations that are in nature every day (Anyone seen "Life?" Or read "Life of Pi?")
I do not think that animals should be taken from their natural habitats unless it is to help them. However, in this day and age when so many are extinct or endangered, and as many ARE treated fairly in zoos and given a better life in many cases, I cannot say any general statement that broadly says "ALL ZOOS SUCK." Some do, yes. But some save. -
This breaks my heart. I have never thought about Sea World and Zoos in quite this way. Hope Tilly is Freed and my sympathies to the Branchau family.
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thats right the whales need to be free to be peaceful in the ocean.it is cruel to keep them so secluded.they need more space and cleaner water.
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Thanks for the post, Alicia. It's nice to get your perspective on this issue. I very much agree. It doesn't make sense to teach children to respect wildlife by showing them an animal in a cage (in what world is that considered "respect"?). I hope that some day we will not have this issue, and all wild animals will be able to do what comes naturally to them. -
If anyone wishes to see an amazing show of nature, and not only see it - but feel it (not touch it). I would like to suggest you watch the current series by the Discovery Channel, 'Life". http://dsc.discovery.com/
My Husband and I started watching this past week, and are amazed. The animals they show are awe-inspiring, their instinctual defense strategies to deal with the animal world around them, take care of their young to ensure the survival of the species, and the unique species they show - - - All I can say about this series so far is...wow!
I think this show is an example of how, with technology where it is today, we can bring an amazing awareness of the environment and animals to the people, without taking the animals out of their natural habitat. -
Thank you for sharing, this was extrememly eye opening. I heard Sea World wasn't doing so well financially and that maybe they would be forced to close down. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?
Morgan -
Thank you for sharing the Free Tilly Facebook page with your readers! It's growing fast, and people are keeping this issue in the spotlight by continuing to educate people on everything that is wrong about orcas in captivity. If they were forced to stop capturing from the wild, they can be forced to stop keeping orcas in tanks!
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BOYCOTT! is all I can say! The Cove was a HUGE eyeopener for me. Sara I also agree with the post you metioned.
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I understand where posters like Victoria are coming from. Yes, they may have done some good to help endangered species, but do they have to charge you to come into a park to see them or do they have to train them to put on a show for people?
They should take the approach as noted in Bob Peterson's post. I would much rather pay to go see someone actually working on helping the animals, and then releasing them back into their natural habitat. We can and have learned a lot by rescuing animals, studying them, and then releasing them back into the wild.
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I absolutely agree Alicia. Thank you so much for this post.
I have had the great good fortune of spending years traveling on the seas as part of my career. I have seen amazing things in those travels - whales and dolphins behaving naturally in the wild. It brings tears to my eyes just remembering how beautiful and wonderful and playful they are. I realize that not many people will ever have that opportunity, but that doesn't excuse our trapping these beautiful animals and basically holding them prisoner and forcing them to perform for our enjoyment. Do you really think those dolphins want to swim with US?
Sea World and similar facilities have NOT stopped the slaughter, and their demand for a supply of these animals has created a whole new set of problems. Every day I try to vote with the most powerful tool I have - my dollar. We must boycott and encourage others to boycott any sort of captive sea life and wildlife "entertainment" facilities.
Again, thank you Alicia, for bringing up this topic and not letting it slide into yesterday's news.
Dawn -
I live in Orlando, been to SeaWorld many times, the whales are beautiful animals. But I always leave the park upset.
I never liked to go to the Zoo as a child; I would get too upset to the point of feeling ill.
I love animals; I have two rescue dogs that I love with all my heart. I support many animal groups, but I have to tell you that when they send me request letters with photos of animals that have been abused or tormented I cannot look at the information. It was very hard for me to read what you wrote about SeaWorld. Generally I would just quit reading because it upsets me to the core.
That said.....I know that your heart breaks just as much as mine for the animals. I am going to remove my "blinders" and get involved.
I'm just starting my journey with you, flirting with many things at the moment, it started with food. I want to applaud you for being involved in the "World" in many venues.
You are a star and a wife and mother but you take the time for what you believe in, and I feel like I am part of that. You believe by getting the word out you can make our world a better place to live in.
I just want you to know that you make me want to be a better person.
Respectfully,
Margaret -
Well said. First I would like to give my sympathy to Dawn's family. God created us to be free and live among our natural habitat. Although we are curious, it is not for us to remove these animals. We must allow them to be free and observe in their natural habitat. -
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We have facilities in Florida that rehabilitate injured wild animals including dolphins, sea turtles & manatees, and allow people to visit to learn about them and donate towards their care but the animals are released back into the ocean as soon as they are well. Capturing healthy, happy animals and imprisoning them for profit until they cannot be released is pure cruelty & greed. -
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Thank you Alicia! Great site and a very thoughtful and informative post!
....and thank you to those that have shown support in my efforts to share the truth of the events of that tragic day as I descibe in my earlier (rambling) post.
Prior to February 24, I had not formed an opinion of SeaWorld or the captive environment of Orcas, this being my first visit there in nearly 20 years. But after witnessing the deliberate manipulation of the facts (remember the initial report was that Dawn "slipped and fell"?) and intentional concealment of the earlier whale behavior that I observed, it really opened my eyes to the exploitation of these magnificent creatures... and the trainers as well.
I have been met with great resistance from those at SeaWorld. They cite that the whales are never "forced" to perform but instead are "asked" to perform. In my opinion, the trainers themselves have been trained to believe that by phrasing their commands in the form of a question constititutes complying with a "request" rather than a "command". They also cite that they are never punished for not performing. However, just prior to the attack, when the whales were uncooperative, the trainer that came out on stage (can't recall if it was Dawn) stated that they were just going to "ignore them" for a little bit until they settled down. Now wouldn't "ignoring" them constitute punishment considering Orcas are highly intelligent social animals that undoubtedly have formed social bonds with their trainers? And wouldn't withholding fistfulls of fish from them during this time constitute punishment?
I know that SeaWorld does a great many good things (as cited by Victoria W) and that there will always be a place and a need for that. Unfortunately a major source of the funding to do the "good" things is derived through exploitation.
There has to be a better way. -
What about all the good Sea World did to raise awareness of these whales so the slaughtering would stop? I am not saying I agree now about the captivity but some of these places help save mammals also. Zoos also help almost extinct animals procreate and help raise awareness too. These zoos and water zoos help people to learn more and love these animals. I wish people could do that in other forms but they can't always. There are also many caring and loving people at these places that take very good care of protecting and loving them. I am not in total agreement of captive whales. I want to see them free and safe as well as other animals. I just want to share some of the good things and good people like the trainers at Sea World.
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The best way to close all the Zoo's is to boycott them. If no one goes to see them, the money dries up and they will all close. We need to start a Boycott the Zoo's campain.
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Thanks for posting this, Alicia, and thanks to John K. for trying to get the truth out there. It does go right back to the fact that Sea World only really cares about their bottom-line - $$$$. It saddens me to see these beautiful creatures kept in captivity! One of the most awe-inspiring, special moments I will remember for the rest of my life was seeing a huge, 60 foot long fin whale, out in the open ocean, way off the coast of Massachusetts...in it's NATURAL habitat - as it should be!!!!!! -
I almost took my daughter to SeaWorld two weeks ago on a visit to San Diego, but never made it there. I love animals dearly and want to teach my little one to love them just the same. I'm actually glad I've not taken her to SeaWorld now after reading John K's post and of course, Alicia's. I read the life expectancy for Orca's in captivity, and what an eye opener that was! So devastating!
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Excellent post, Alicia. Thank you for your research and action links. And thanks to John K for all his efforts to get the truth out about the lead-up to the tragedy. This circumstance reminds me of the very sad case of the circus elephant "losing it" and stepping on the trainers. Then it ran out of the circus and down the road where it was shot to death. A life of captive torture ending in a violent death (as seen in the movie "Earthlings"). Let's join together to free Tilly now before it's too late!
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