People have learned to love the black-and-white marine icon that has been rehabilitated from a fearsome killer to the cuddly water panda they’ve become. Groc’s article, “Orca Encounters”, sparked my interest and led me to question just how humane our social and cultural traditions have become. Once killed by fishermen and believed to be a dangerous creature, the orca has grown to become the most viewed performer at SeaWorld shows. Being the largest predator held in captivity, researchers have proven that these powerful creatures are ill-served by public exhibition. Factly, orcas do no adjust to nor belong in captivity.
A study on survivorship rates of several captive marine mammal species by Small and DeMaster showed that orcas in captivity had lower survivorship rates than those in the wild (209). The mortality rate of this species was recorded to be more than three times higher in captivity than in the wild. …show more content…
The general public has accepted the inconsistency within their reasoning.
The most common causes of death in captive orcas, either wild-caught or captive-born, are pneumonia, septicemia and other types of infection (McBain 895-98). These infections which have become lethal in captive orcas emphasizes the obvious: Veterinary care provides insignificant advantages to captive wildlife.
In addition to these findings, the only recorded fatal attack by one orca on another happened in captivity. Although incompatibly among wild orcas happen due to their social nature, the ocean provides a large enough habitat for both mammals to coexist. The aggression within wild orcas have been rarely observed and when it was, serious injuries did not result. In contrast to the wild-orcas, incompatibility among captive orcas are more frequent which result in wounds, lacerations and eventually separation from dominant individuals (McBain
A study on survivorship rates of several captive marine mammal species by Small and DeMaster showed that orcas in captivity had lower survivorship rates than those in the wild (209). The mortality rate of this species was recorded to be more than three times higher in captivity than in the wild. …show more content…
The general public has accepted the inconsistency within their reasoning.
The most common causes of death in captive orcas, either wild-caught or captive-born, are pneumonia, septicemia and other types of infection (McBain 895-98). These infections which have become lethal in captive orcas emphasizes the obvious: Veterinary care provides insignificant advantages to captive wildlife.
In addition to these findings, the only recorded fatal attack by one orca on another happened in captivity. Although incompatibly among wild orcas happen due to their social nature, the ocean provides a large enough habitat for both mammals to coexist. The aggression within wild orcas have been rarely observed and when it was, serious injuries did not result. In contrast to the wild-orcas, incompatibility among captive orcas are more frequent which result in wounds, lacerations and eventually separation from dominant individuals (McBain