Orcas would need to swim 1208 laps around the perimeter or 3,105 lengths in the park’s largest tank to equal what they would swim in the wild. (“Tanks”) Since adult male orcas have no space to swim freely, orcas have collapsed dorsal fins. Orcas are also fed an unnatural diet of thawed dead fish. (“Collapsed Dorsal Fins”) Orcas are unable to hunt and obtain water from their prey in captivity. SeaWorld gives them gelatin, a substance that is not natural for them, in an attempt to keep them hydrated. Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones with water. It is usually obtained from cows or pigs. (“Diet of Pig and Cow Bones”)
Tilikum the whale, who weighs 12,000lbs, alone consumes 83 pounds of gelatin everyday
Tilikum the whale, who weighs 12,000lbs, alone consumes 83 pounds of gelatin everyday