veteran trainer (Dawn Brancheau) in 2006 at Sea World during a show. Other workers used nets as an alarm sounded, booted the audience out of the stadium at that time. However, it was too late. She was killed by Tilkum, and people witnessed the accident. An audience (Eldon Skaggs) said that he heard the whale was not responding to directions during an earlier show. Besides, this was not first time to kill people for Tilikum, it was third time. A head of animal training at all Sea World parks (Chuck Tompkins) said “there wasn’t anything to indicate that there was a problem.” He also mentioned that Tilikum had performed well in the show. Strange to say, as he was big and previous deaths, trainers were not supposed to swim with him, and only some trainers worked with him. In these trainers, Brancheau was one of the most experienced trainers. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Inc…
animals most commonly remain with their family unit for most of or all of their lives. Every pod has its own unique sounds, closely resembling a form of language (National Geographic). Being brought into captivity, whales are put into confined spaces with other whales from different places, different pods, and different cultures. Although these whales look the same, they all have different identities with emotions similar to humans. While housing whales individually leads to isolation issues,…
The Effects of Orcas in Captivity Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of the killer whale shows at SeaWorld? So much preparation goes into the shows at SeaWorld. This causes frustration within the whales that can result in whales acting out on other whales and SeaWorld trainers. So, is captivity good for the orcas? Despite the fact that millions of people go to SeaWorld every year to see the killer whales, the animals are actually mistreated. If SeaWorld doesn’t change their ways, then…
One dream I have always had since I was a little girl was to go to SeaWorld. Going there last summer was a dream come true. I had imagined it as an amazing place that consisted of watching Shamu shows to swimming with dolphins. Although I was right, SeaWorld had so much more to offer. Sea World originally opened up in 1964 and was founded by George Millay, Milt Shedd, Ken Norris and David DeMott (“History”). In the beginning of the process, these men had a plot of an underwater restaurant…
Anti- SeaWorld When I was thirteen years old my family and I traveled to California. While is California we visited the seemingly magical amusement park, SeaWorld. As I walked around I was amazed at the large sea life swimming all around me. Growing up I would watch Animal Planet every morning before school so to be able to see the large animals that I had seen on T.V. was like a dream come true. I went home after my trip to SeaWorld determined to become a trainer at the amazing amusement park.…
This area is located in the first rows of the aquatic stadium located in many marine parks. I remember growing up thinking marine animal shows were the most entertaining event at the park. Killer whales and dolphins jumped above the water and performed many difficult tricks their trainers commanded. Like many people, I have shared many great experiences with family and friends at marine parks. Aside from the really expensive food, these parks appear to have nothing wrong with them. However,…
release of Blackfish, SeaWorld has come under harsh criticisms from animal rights activists. The question is, who do we trust? A multimillion dollar company or people who are extremely passionate about animals? SeaWorld was originally planned to be an underwater restaurant. The concept grew into a marine zoological park in San Diego. In the first year alone, the park drew more than 400,000 visitors. There are three SeaWorld parks in the United States today, including the original. SeaWorld…
Brancheau was a sixteen-year veteran to the park and one of the most experienced trainers they had. This unfortunate situation was the tip of the scale for SeaWorld’s peace. Only three years prior in 2006, another whale grabbed its trainer's foot and dove to the bottom of a 36-foot tank. They surfaced less than a minute later but the whale dove a second time with the trainer for another minute. The trainer escaped with puncture wounds and a broken left foot. (cite) With these being the top two…
of life, but living in captivity may not allow them to realize the full benefit of cultural theory. This is not what the founders of SeaWorld envisioned. Therefore, because of documentaries like Black Fish and pressure from animal researchers, activist and those who embrace cultural theory, SeaWorld is moving away from the practice of holding orcas in captivity. This may seem like a potential disaster for such a successful business model and only time will tell the future success of SeaWorld,…
Captured Entertainment In a notorious documentary directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, stories of remarkable yet highly viscous orca whales are recognized. In this film, Blackfish, former SeaWorld trainers and employees are interviewed in order to discover and expose the truth about the astounding conditions and treatment of these well cherished killer whales. While held in captivity, the orca whales exemplify horrific and shocking behavior, that would not otherwise exist in the wild. Blackfish…