Although some people don't see the problem in having killer whales do shows, it can be argued that orcas in captivity and having them do shows has multiple issues.
One reason is that orcas can be driven crazy when kept in captivity. Second of all, killer whales need more space than any aquarium can give them. Last but not least, orcas in captivity aren't as healthy as orcas in the wild. I believe that killer whale shows should be banned.
To begin, killer whales or orcas can be driven insane when kept in captivity. For example, in 2010 an Orca at Seaworld named Tilikum was driven crazy. The result was Tilikum drowning his trainer. Tilikum has also drowned two other trainers. In addition, orcas live in pods in the wild. Although in captivity, …show more content…
In Seaworld's largest tank, orcas would have to swim about one thousand, two hundred and eight laps to equal about the same distance they swim in the wild. Let's not forget, that killer whales live in pods in the wild. So if orcas were to live together in a tank, imagine how much space they would need. Lastly, when orcas are put together in the same tank they may get into fights. Fights in the wild are very rare because orcas are so social, but if they do an orca would swim away and hide. Although, being in small open tanks they have nowhere to hide and could end up getting hurt. For example, an orca named Nakai was severely injured on a sharp metal edge when reportedly swimming away from a fight between two other orcas. In conclusion, Orcas need lots of space and no aquarium can give them enough of …show more content…
Seaworld claims that it is totally normal, although this condition rarely ever happens in the wild. The cause for this is probably their unnatural diet, and lack of space to swim in. A collapsed dorsal fin could also mean that the killer whales are unhealthy or injured. Secondly, Orcas in the wild live longer than the ones in captivity. Killer whales in the wild have an average life expectancy of thirty to fifty years. Their maximum lifespan is sixty to seventy years. The oldest orca documented in the wild was one hundred and three years old. Although in captivity the average lifespan is only twenty years. Thirdly, In captivity killer whales can not hunt, this means that they do not get water from their prey. So in order to keep them hydrated Seaworld feeds them gelatin, but gelatin is not natural for orcas. Tilikum eats about eighty-three pounds of gelatin every day. Lastly, orcas chew on iron bars and concrete. Killer whales do this because they are bored or anxious. Sadly, the result of the orcas doing this is painful dental drilling or breaking their teeth. This is important because the health of captive animals should be one of our main
One reason is that orcas can be driven crazy when kept in captivity. Second of all, killer whales need more space than any aquarium can give them. Last but not least, orcas in captivity aren't as healthy as orcas in the wild. I believe that killer whale shows should be banned.
To begin, killer whales or orcas can be driven insane when kept in captivity. For example, in 2010 an Orca at Seaworld named Tilikum was driven crazy. The result was Tilikum drowning his trainer. Tilikum has also drowned two other trainers. In addition, orcas live in pods in the wild. Although in captivity, …show more content…
In Seaworld's largest tank, orcas would have to swim about one thousand, two hundred and eight laps to equal about the same distance they swim in the wild. Let's not forget, that killer whales live in pods in the wild. So if orcas were to live together in a tank, imagine how much space they would need. Lastly, when orcas are put together in the same tank they may get into fights. Fights in the wild are very rare because orcas are so social, but if they do an orca would swim away and hide. Although, being in small open tanks they have nowhere to hide and could end up getting hurt. For example, an orca named Nakai was severely injured on a sharp metal edge when reportedly swimming away from a fight between two other orcas. In conclusion, Orcas need lots of space and no aquarium can give them enough of …show more content…
Seaworld claims that it is totally normal, although this condition rarely ever happens in the wild. The cause for this is probably their unnatural diet, and lack of space to swim in. A collapsed dorsal fin could also mean that the killer whales are unhealthy or injured. Secondly, Orcas in the wild live longer than the ones in captivity. Killer whales in the wild have an average life expectancy of thirty to fifty years. Their maximum lifespan is sixty to seventy years. The oldest orca documented in the wild was one hundred and three years old. Although in captivity the average lifespan is only twenty years. Thirdly, In captivity killer whales can not hunt, this means that they do not get water from their prey. So in order to keep them hydrated Seaworld feeds them gelatin, but gelatin is not natural for orcas. Tilikum eats about eighty-three pounds of gelatin every day. Lastly, orcas chew on iron bars and concrete. Killer whales do this because they are bored or anxious. Sadly, the result of the orcas doing this is painful dental drilling or breaking their teeth. This is important because the health of captive animals should be one of our main