Bailey Donley
Brownlee
American Lit
28 November 2014
Trapped inside a giant swimming pool, immensely smaller than any natural surroundings, helpless, with no way of escaping. Captive marine mammals are enslaved to a life of research and show tricks. Aquariums, like Sea World, have been holding sea creatures in captivity for years. Aquariums are meant to hold mammals for show, education and rehabilitation. These animals are typically supposed to be put back in the wild after they have reach health levels to survive in the wild. SeaWorld is a company who has not made any regular repetition to the releasing process. I support deeper research about marine animals but there should be strict limitations and even deeper regulations. If any aquarium
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Captive orcas are forced to swim in shallow pools causing a 100% chance of dorsal fin collapse. Dorsal fin collapse is when a whale’s dorsal fin is completely toppled over and bent. This does not necessarily harm the animal but dorsal fin collapse is not a natural thing. Dorsal fin collapse is caused by pattern swimming, swimming in a single direction or circles. Another cause could be dehydration or water temperatures. This occurs in less than 1% of the wild population, (Us.Whales). 92% of SeaWorld's orcas did not live past the age of twenty-five. The average lifespan of an orca whale in the wild is at least 30, (Us.Whales). Dolphins are forced to do a trick that requires them to leap onto a platform and beach themselves. The pressure and gravity the dolphins apply when doing that trick can literally crush their organs, (World Animal Protection). Death rates of bottlenose dolphins increase 6 times during and after capturing from the wild, (Us.Whales). The dangers of marine mammal captivity are even more severe. There have been over 100 aggressive attacks against humans and 4 human deaths from contact with captive orca whales. In the wild, there have been zero deaths and only a single aggressive attack, (Us.Whales). There has been a lot of controversy over these deaths and injuries and SeaWorld has an excuse for …show more content…
Little has been learned from the captive animals at the SeaWorld Facility and others. The research Aquarium scientists have discovered is only relevant for captive animals. The research is relevant when speaking about the captive counterparts to these marine animals but not when it comes to wild species. SeaWorld also makes a statement saying rehabilitation for these animals in a facility is essential, (CNN). I agree, marine animals do need rehabilitation, however, keeping them for shows and displays should not be a part of it. Companies, especially SeaWorld, are using these animals to create a profit. Large marine mammals such as Orca whales bring in a large amount of business alone. The Orca shows, specifically Shamu one of the most popular Orca Whales, bring in very large audiences. People from around the world spend thousands to travel to the SeaWorld locations just to see the remote facilities and amazing sea creatures in possession. When combined with all the other animals and attractions, these companies can make millions. In fact, in 2012 SeaWorld had a net income of 77.4 million dollars, (Wikipedia). The whole point of rehabilitation is to be able to heal the animal so it can go back out into the wild. Aquariums have become more for the benefit of human than the animals. However, the animals should remain the main focus. This research and rehabilitation goals is actually
The captivity of large, wild animals is accepted for theme parks all around the world. Tickets are sold for people to come and watch these animals live and even preform in an exhibit that almost resembles their natural environment. It is impossible for parks and zoos that use animals as attractions to provide the same resources and space they would have in the habitat they are usually found in. They can, however, help injured or ill animals that cannot survive in the wild. This is where I believe they should draw the line for keeping animals in captivity. SeaWorld has gotten a lot of attention in the last few years, especially since the Netflix documentary, Blackfish, was released. This film targets the company for the mistreatment of their orca whales. In particular, it told the story of one named Tilikum and shows the problems he and the other orca whales face while living under the care of SeaWorld. Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the director
I am sure almost all of you have either been to or heard of SeaWorld. Today I am going to tell you about what they do to their orcas that they are trying to hide. I chose this topic after watching a documentary called “Blackfish” that goes into the behind the scenes of how SeaWorld treats its animals. I have since done further research online to prepare for this presentation. This is an important topic because you should know what kind of company you are funding and behaviors you are endorsing when you go on your vacations to this destination. Today I am going to persuade you that SeaWorld is corrupt and maltreats its animals, specifically the orcas. First, I will talk about the specific way the orcas are treated and how it affects them
Millions of people come from across the world to visit Seaworld every day without thinking about the lives of the animals behind the scenes. Why would they have concerns? From Seaworld’s commercials to the website, they convince the general public that Seaworld is the place to go to see the happy sea animals perform. If Seaworld is such an ecstatic place, what excuse does Tilikum, their greatest well known orca whale, have for the three attacks on trainers? The documentary “Blackfish” was created by the director Gabriela Cowperthwaite because she questioned herself after realizing Tilikum's odd behavior over time in captivity, and if there was any indisputable parts to animal captivity?
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.
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.
An orca, more commonly known as a killer whale, is currently one of the largest marine animals held in captivity. Countless arguments are being made, supporting and opposing captivity of orcas to be exploited as circus animals in theme parks around the world. Throughout recent history, Sea World trainers have been injured and killed by the orcas and the whales, and the whales themselves have been observed as severely depressed. If Sea World releases the whales, they would undergo an immense economic downfall and the whales would be too weak to survive in the wild if they were freed. Since the first Sea World park opened in San Diego, California in 1964, common questions have arose concerning the well-being of orcas in captivity, the dangers of humans training them, the physical capability of whales theoretically being released, and the psychological differences between whales living in the wild versus whales living in Sea World's confinement.
And even a six year old wasn’t blind to that fact. The issue of keeping Orcas in captivity and under the care of man has been a controversial practice ever since the first dolphins and whales were taken into aquariums for the amusement of humans. In more recent times, the documentary Blackfish (which has been recently broadcast on popular TV stations such as CNN) that focuses on Tilikum, an orca held by SeaWorld, has brought to light the controversy over captive killer whales. Orcas are majestic, beautiful, and intelligent creatures that should not be kept in captivity for our entertainment because of the harm they cause. SeaWorld, a leader in the captivity and use of killer whales for entertainment, has counterattacked the points made by the documentary Blackfish, which brought many points to light.
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
It all began with good intentions. People thinking that they can control these animals and not expect any negative impacts. It was all due to wanting to explore and entertain with the animals. However, not all animals are meant to be taken from the wild to be show animals. After many years of unfair ways, SeaWorld is doing the right thing by closing down the whale exhibit even if it isn’t by choice because it is unhealthy for both the humans and animals involved.
Thesis Statement: Closing SeaWorld’s doors would be unjust, however; SeaWorld can repair its image by providing excellent care for its current residents and by shifting the business model from entertainment to rescue, rehabilitate and release at all locations.
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 first issue I will be addressing in this discussion is SeaWorld, a world famous sea life amusement park. SeaWorld is a very controversial business as one half of the organisation is to protect sea life around the world, such as stopping large mammals from being stranded. Although this sounds very heroic and like it’s a good thing, sometimes it’s actually not. Some mammals are re-released back into their natural habit straight away or ta...
Captivity is the state or period of being imprisoned, confined, or enslaved, according to Wiktionary. Every year, marine parks and aquariums, like SeaWorld, make billions of dollars through ticket sales. SeaWorld estimates about 70% of their total revenue is due to their performing killer whales (Jeffs). People visit from all over the world to encounter killer whales up close. “Their beauty and power, combined with willingness to work with humans, have made them legendary performers” (Gorman). In recent years, humans have gained the ability to tame and train these creatures. Killer whales should not be kept in captivity simply because it is cruel, unnatural, and dangerous.
There have been many people working to help with this issue. The majority of the activists working on this issue think that a sea sanctuary would be the best solution for the animals. A sea sanctuary is a netted-off area in a natural body of water. Most of the whales and dolphins have been living in captivity for many years and wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild anymore. A sea sanctuary would let them retire from performing, have less forced family groups, and have a more natural, peaceful environment for them to live in. The idea is that the sea sanctuaries would eventually be empty since there won’t be anymore breeding of the captive animals or capturing of wild animals. The Whale Sanctuary Project is looking for a
Animals should not be kept in captivity for any reason unless they have been harmed and need to receive treatment, but they should be released as soon as they are healthy and capable of taking care of themselves again. The use of a captive animal for research, education, or entertainment is just wrong; no creature deserves to have their life taken away for our benefit. Would you want to be captured and put in a tiny box, or a fake little ecosystem, or abused and tortured because apparently that’s the only possible way to train an animal? How about just knowing that your real life is over and now all you get to do is put on a show for people? That is what we put these animals through for our entertainment, we tear children away from their parents.