Seaworld Animal Abuse

In November of 1983, SeaWorld set out into the ocean near Iceland to capture an orca for their shows back in the United States. They laid miles of nets, lured the orcas into their trap by using underwater explosives and high-speed boats to engulf them. After capturing a family of orca, they picked which one would draw the biggest crowds at their shows, dosed him in a type of oil that would allow them to transport him for a prolonged period without any water, and gave him the name Tilikum. Tilikum would grow up to be the largest, and most controversial, animal ever to be held in captivity. Tilikum’s life was one filled with sorrow, regret and disdain. SeaWorld forced the animal to live out his life in a 100-foot by 50-foot pool, that

These exotic, undomesticated animals—such as whales, dolphins, belugas, seals and penguins, kept in captivity, have long since been the focus of being victims of animal abuse. Current debates over whether SeaWorld’s treatment and conditions qualify as animal abuse or not is shown throughout a series of events, including PETA’s lawsuit for animal’s rights, the deaths of three people caused by the enraged animals at SeaWorld, and scientific research on the effect of captivity on wild animals. There is much at stake with this debate from the standpoint of SeaWorld, the public, and the animals. SeaWorld, has at stake the legitimacy of their company and ethical and moral ideals which keep them in line with the public. The public has at stake their monetary contribution to the organization, moral influence on the company and other members of the public. Finally, the animals in captivity at SeaWorld have their lives at stake, health and quality of living. Animal abuse qualifies as the neglect of an animal, ill intent to utilize that animal for gain, and results in the physical or emotional detriment of that animal. Therefore, when SeaWorld confines animals to segregation from other animals, in pools that they can hardly turn around in, for hours and hours on end without any food or acknowledgement, they are neglecting them. When SeaWorld deliberately goes out into the ocean to hunt for the right, helpless animal to take back and use for their monetary and popularity gain, also while taking advantage of the animal’s physical abilities, they are doing it with selfish, ill intent. Finally, when the animals in captivity show signs of abnormal behavior, persistent distress and physical harm, they are suffering from physical and emotional damage due to their conditions. All of three of these