Orcas in Captivity
Animal Slave Labor
Samantha Jameson
April 4, 2014
Many people in the U.S. have
experienced the joys and wonders of a
trip to Sea World at least once in their
lifetime.
It can be a very positive experience for all, as it is
no doubt built so that every detail of the park is set
to bring the upmost joy and fun to the park goers.
Sea World has been around since 1964, and has
always been right up there with Disneyland in
being one of the “happiest places on Earth”.
But, over the years, something has
changed.
People are starting to take a long hard look at what
goes on at Sea World; they’re starting to talk
amongst each other, to ask questions. What people
are finally coming to realize after over 50 years, is
that Sea World (and every last one of the other
parks like it around the world) has been doing
something horribly unjustifiable right in front of
our eyes all this time.
For years, Sea World has been capturing wild
orcas and stealing them from their family pod
(which, just as it would be for humans, is horribly
devastating for these animals). At least 144 orcas
have been taken into captivity from the wild since
1961.
Footage of Orca & Dolphin Being
Caught From the Wild
Then the animals are kept as prisoners for
entertainment. They are trained like circus animals
to do tricks for food; this is all they live for. They
no longer get to experience the things they once
loved about being wild and free.
If this imprisonment in and of itself does not
bother you, here are just a few of the things
that might change the way you look at these
seemingly happy and playful creatures at sea
world and other parks:
The Quality of the Water in the Tanks
is the Cause of Many Health Problems
for the Animals.
• Even though the water is pumped in from the
ocean, in most marine parks, it is filtered and
chlorine is added. An ozonator is also used to
remove bacteria. All of this filtering and water
treatment is not natural for the Orcas.
Their Diet is Unnatural
• In their natural habitat, Orcas feed on sharks,
fish, squid, whales, seals, turtles, octopus,
penguins, and sea gulls. However, in captivity,
Orcas are fed frozen fish and vitamin
supplements.
They’re Dying
• In the wild, male orcas live to an average of 30
years (maximum 50-60 years) and 46 years for
females (maximum 80-90 years). Of the 33
orcas that have been born in captivity and have
since died (excluding stillbirths), they survived
an average of 4.5 years. In total, 158 orcas have
died in captivity, including 28 miscarried or
still-born calves.
We’re Dying
• Aggression towards Orca’s trainers, and their fellow
captives has been increasing rapidly over the past
few years. Many feel that this is due to the
compromised mental and physical health of Orcas
held in unnatural habitats. When compared to Orcas
that live free, the Orcas held in captivity have very
different behaviors. The size of the tanks and the
lack of anything resembling their natural habitat is
blamed for the variations in both health and
behavior.
• 3 trainers have lost their lives already. Sea World
blames them when they can no longer speak for
themselves instead of taking responsibility.
Orlando SeaWorld Trainer Killed 10News Investigates The History Of
Killer Whale Attacks
We are killing off both
our Orca friends and our
own kind!
Is this the sacrifice we are willing to
make?
How could we teach our children
that this is okay?
We have been manipulated into thinking that this
is acceptable, that these people are “professionals”
and they know what they are doing.
But it is not acceptable!
Something must be done
immediately!
Now, What Can Be Done?
Shut down Sea World? Unnecessary.
Assembly Bill 2140 was recently introduced by
assembly member Richard Bloom, this bill would
create a ban on keeping killer whales in captivity
for human entertainment and retire all captive
orcas to sea pens.
This is believed by many to be the best way to go
about this situation.
I believe that we can help this bill (and
similar ones) to pass, and continue until we
have freed all of these magnificent animals
from being used as mere entertainment.
But we have to work together!
It is Crucial That We All Do Our Part!
Visit these websites for a chance to do your
part:
• SeaworldofHurt https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&pa
ge=UserAction&id=2945
• PETA https://secure.peta.org/site/Donation2?df_id=11280&1
1280.donation=form1
In my opinion, the best way to stop this is to
refuse to attend parks like Sea World until
things change.
Do not encourage their behavior!
Let them know that they must stop by
hitting them where it really hurts;
their bank accounts!
Ocean Footage: Orcas in the wild