Blackfish Backlash: Future of the Orca in Captivity
One of the largest issues in the world of captive animals today is the issue of the orca in captivity. Animal rights groups have long condemned marine mammal parks and how they train killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine mammals for shows. I have since written two articles on the Blackfish issue since the issue still remains as large as it did when Blackfish was released in 2013. The Blackfish issue still rages over the Internet, but it seems like the critics of Sea World seem to be winning the war. Sea World reported a declining profit margin for the year and plans to cut back costs. In addition to this, Sea World announced the Blue World Project, a massive multimillion dollar expansion of the orca habitats to be implemented in all Sea World parks, beginning with Sea World San Diego. However, the arguments still remain in effect. What's the big deal? I'll tell you...
In my opinion, people fall into three categories about orcas in captivity: that they should be set free and breeding programs should be halted, that orcas are fine in captivity, or just indifferent/uncaring about the issue. This is not about Blackfish or Sea World, although certain peoples' biases affect their judgment about the orcas in captivity. Simply watching the movie Blackfish or visiting Sea World once is not enough to become an expert. Unfortunately, I am not an expert in this nor do I claim to do so, so I will admit their is a margin of error on my part. The people who have been afforded a full frontal view of the orca in captivity are very few indeed, Sea World employees who benefit from seeing the animals on an almost daily basis while facing the severe criticism from activists and animal lovers alike.
There are five main issues that people have with killer whales being in captivity:
The killer whales breeding program
The fact that Sea World breeds and trades its captive killer whales is a big issue. Since capturing marine mammals from the wild has been illegal since 1972, most of the twenty nine killer whales Sea World cares for are captive bred. Only five remain wild-caught, including the infamous Tilikum who was responsible for the death of senior killer whale trainer Dawn Brancheau. The breeding program also remains controversial as killer whales are not endangered in the wild, so breeding killer whales in captivity is purely for Sea World's use for entertainment or genetics.
The separation of calves from mothers
According to the movie Blackfish, killer whale calves are often viciously ripped away from their mothers at a young age and shipped to other Sea World parks. While this remains controversial, Blackfish has blurred the lines. Despite statements that female calves stay with their mothers for life, this is untrue as their are exceptions where the calf needs to be separated from the mother for her own good. In addition to this, Blackfish sensationalized the calf and mother bond, while in reality, the calf was much older than it was implied. However, I still do not condone treating the killer whales like items, to be traded throughout the Sea World parks like rides or shows.
The size of the killer whale tanks
Probably one of the largest issues people have with Sea World, it has become clear that despite our advanced technology and intelligence, we cannot hope to replicate even a fraction of the habitat that killer whales call home in the wild. I remember visiting Sea World San Diego in 2007 and wondering how they were able to cram six killer whales in small tanks.
Killer whales performing
Another large issue about killer whales in captivity is Sea World's killer whale shows. Since killer whales are highly trainable due to their intelligence and compliance with trainers, Sea World implemented shows, where killer whales jump, flip, and dive much to the awe of many customers. However, many people feel that killer whales performing are not natural and should not be forced to perform tricks for entertainment.
The safety of the killer whale trainers
Since the death of Dawn Brancheau, an experienced killer whale trainer, the safety of the killer whale trainers have come into question. Sea World has been banned from placing their trainers in the water with the killer whales and have implemented safety protocols to prevent further incidents. However, if you think about it, one fatality in over forty years is a pretty good track record, considering that killer whales are top predators. The death of Dawn Brancheau was tragic and unnecessary, but she and hundreds of other trainers had interacted with the killer whales thousands of times before with little problem. There was little reason for the killer whale to "lash out" at her. Many blame that Tilikum had been driven insane from captivity, but if that was the case, wouldn't there be more incidents? Tiger and elephant trainers know the risk of their job, so do killer whale trainers.
I'm not saying on any level that the death of Dawn Brancheau was justified or okay. The fact that she died from a killer whale is enough for most to stop going to Sea World. However, I am saying that most likely, she believed that Tilikum would not harm her until the moment he did. For now, Tilikum remains performing at Sea World Orlando, where he will probably remain for the rest of his life.
Modern day example: Lolita and the Miami Seaquarium
Lolita is a 20 ft, 3.5 ton killer whale who lives a solitary life at the Miami Seaquarium in a small tank, only 60 by 80 foot by 20 ft. deep. She was caught from the wild in 1970 and has lived at the aquarium ever since. She has been the source of controversy and criticism from animals rights activists and animal lovers alike. Due to her advanced age, it is unlikely that she will be transferred to another facility or her tank be renovated. Lolita is an example of how, despite heavy criticism, the killer whale remains in captivity. While her trainers argue that Lolita remains happy and healthy, many wonder how a predator used to swimming for miles can be happy in a bathtub.
What lies in the future of the killer whale in captivity? Killer whales are Sea World's biggest asset and their greatest liability. Think about other theme parks in Orlando, Disney World and Universal Studios. While the two theme parks have evolved with a Harry Potter themed world and Frozen themed fireworks, what does Sea World have? A bigger tank for killer whales and a revamped sea lion show. Sea World must change its vision if it needs to survive in the hostile theme park competition. It can no longer rely on killer whale shows to bring in visitors. Sea World must evolve again, otherwise they will lose their most prized animals forever.
Author's Note:
Sea World is not an evil institution. The Sea World team rescues thousands of sea lions, seals, turtles, manatees, dolphins, and other marine life and returns them to the wild. They are the most prominent marine life research institutions, having some of the largest marine facilities in the world. However, it has become clear that something must change with their killer whales. An increasing number of people do not condone keeping the large predators in captivity. Public opinion toward Sea World has turned black, a Sea World rescue team was even allegedly bullied and taunted while trying to save a sea lion. There are two possible outcomes for the orca in captivity. One, and the most likely, will be that public opinion toward Sea World will turn so much, that Sea World will voluntarily release its killer whales back into sea pens and halt their breeding program. Or Sea World will evolve, as Disney and Universal parks have done so many times, and bull their way through the criticism and suspicion. Only time will tell for what the marine giant will decide.
In my opinion, people fall into three categories about orcas in captivity: that they should be set free and breeding programs should be halted, that orcas are fine in captivity, or just indifferent/uncaring about the issue. This is not about Blackfish or Sea World, although certain peoples' biases affect their judgment about the orcas in captivity. Simply watching the movie Blackfish or visiting Sea World once is not enough to become an expert. Unfortunately, I am not an expert in this nor do I claim to do so, so I will admit their is a margin of error on my part. The people who have been afforded a full frontal view of the orca in captivity are very few indeed, Sea World employees who benefit from seeing the animals on an almost daily basis while facing the severe criticism from activists and animal lovers alike.
There are five main issues that people have with killer whales being in captivity:
The killer whales breeding program
The fact that Sea World breeds and trades its captive killer whales is a big issue. Since capturing marine mammals from the wild has been illegal since 1972, most of the twenty nine killer whales Sea World cares for are captive bred. Only five remain wild-caught, including the infamous Tilikum who was responsible for the death of senior killer whale trainer Dawn Brancheau. The breeding program also remains controversial as killer whales are not endangered in the wild, so breeding killer whales in captivity is purely for Sea World's use for entertainment or genetics.
The separation of calves from mothers
According to the movie Blackfish, killer whale calves are often viciously ripped away from their mothers at a young age and shipped to other Sea World parks. While this remains controversial, Blackfish has blurred the lines. Despite statements that female calves stay with their mothers for life, this is untrue as their are exceptions where the calf needs to be separated from the mother for her own good. In addition to this, Blackfish sensationalized the calf and mother bond, while in reality, the calf was much older than it was implied. However, I still do not condone treating the killer whales like items, to be traded throughout the Sea World parks like rides or shows.
The size of the killer whale tanks
Probably one of the largest issues people have with Sea World, it has become clear that despite our advanced technology and intelligence, we cannot hope to replicate even a fraction of the habitat that killer whales call home in the wild. I remember visiting Sea World San Diego in 2007 and wondering how they were able to cram six killer whales in small tanks.
Killer whales performing
Another large issue about killer whales in captivity is Sea World's killer whale shows. Since killer whales are highly trainable due to their intelligence and compliance with trainers, Sea World implemented shows, where killer whales jump, flip, and dive much to the awe of many customers. However, many people feel that killer whales performing are not natural and should not be forced to perform tricks for entertainment.
The safety of the killer whale trainers
Since the death of Dawn Brancheau, an experienced killer whale trainer, the safety of the killer whale trainers have come into question. Sea World has been banned from placing their trainers in the water with the killer whales and have implemented safety protocols to prevent further incidents. However, if you think about it, one fatality in over forty years is a pretty good track record, considering that killer whales are top predators. The death of Dawn Brancheau was tragic and unnecessary, but she and hundreds of other trainers had interacted with the killer whales thousands of times before with little problem. There was little reason for the killer whale to "lash out" at her. Many blame that Tilikum had been driven insane from captivity, but if that was the case, wouldn't there be more incidents? Tiger and elephant trainers know the risk of their job, so do killer whale trainers.
I'm not saying on any level that the death of Dawn Brancheau was justified or okay. The fact that she died from a killer whale is enough for most to stop going to Sea World. However, I am saying that most likely, she believed that Tilikum would not harm her until the moment he did. For now, Tilikum remains performing at Sea World Orlando, where he will probably remain for the rest of his life.
Modern day example: Lolita and the Miami Seaquarium
Lolita is a 20 ft, 3.5 ton killer whale who lives a solitary life at the Miami Seaquarium in a small tank, only 60 by 80 foot by 20 ft. deep. She was caught from the wild in 1970 and has lived at the aquarium ever since. She has been the source of controversy and criticism from animals rights activists and animal lovers alike. Due to her advanced age, it is unlikely that she will be transferred to another facility or her tank be renovated. Lolita is an example of how, despite heavy criticism, the killer whale remains in captivity. While her trainers argue that Lolita remains happy and healthy, many wonder how a predator used to swimming for miles can be happy in a bathtub.
What lies in the future of the killer whale in captivity? Killer whales are Sea World's biggest asset and their greatest liability. Think about other theme parks in Orlando, Disney World and Universal Studios. While the two theme parks have evolved with a Harry Potter themed world and Frozen themed fireworks, what does Sea World have? A bigger tank for killer whales and a revamped sea lion show. Sea World must change its vision if it needs to survive in the hostile theme park competition. It can no longer rely on killer whale shows to bring in visitors. Sea World must evolve again, otherwise they will lose their most prized animals forever.
Author's Note:
Sea World is not an evil institution. The Sea World team rescues thousands of sea lions, seals, turtles, manatees, dolphins, and other marine life and returns them to the wild. They are the most prominent marine life research institutions, having some of the largest marine facilities in the world. However, it has become clear that something must change with their killer whales. An increasing number of people do not condone keeping the large predators in captivity. Public opinion toward Sea World has turned black, a Sea World rescue team was even allegedly bullied and taunted while trying to save a sea lion. There are two possible outcomes for the orca in captivity. One, and the most likely, will be that public opinion toward Sea World will turn so much, that Sea World will voluntarily release its killer whales back into sea pens and halt their breeding program. Or Sea World will evolve, as Disney and Universal parks have done so many times, and bull their way through the criticism and suspicion. Only time will tell for what the marine giant will decide.
