How to Save Whales in Captivity in Theme Parks

The theme parks/aquariums, SeaWorld, have been open for over 50 years. Starting in San Diego with a minimal number of animals, dolphins and sea lions, and six attractions (SeaWorld). Over 400, 000 people visited the park in the first year of opening (SeaWorld). According to Sea World’s website, they claim that “Animals are the heart and soul of their company, ” that their first orca calf was born in 1985, and no zoo has ever successfully bred orcas (SeaWorld).

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is a non-profit organization that strives towards the well-being and conservation of whales, dolphins, and porpoises; not only in captivity, but also in the wild. The WDC is actively trying to reduce the population of whales and dolphins held in captivity tanks. Thus, creating conflict between the two organizations on due to the fact on whether or not holding whales in captivity is or isn’t detrimental to whale’s health. A possible solution to this debate is if sea world replaced breeding whales to focusing solely on rehabilitation of sick or hurt whales. This solution could be possible by using the WDC, or any other whale conservation organization, bringing reported/found whales in need of rehabilitation.

A stakeholder involved in this debate is the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). The WDC’s mission statement is, “A world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free. ” Whale conservation has been a widely popular opinion in the past decade. Ranging from people who

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Go out to see to conserve from whale killings, non-profit organizations, and the documentary, Blackfish. The WDC takes whale cases to court to try and get the orcas free or with better living conditions. For example, an orca whale names Lolita, who is held in captivity in a Miami Aquarium. Her court case fights against her being alone, having no protection from the sun, and in too small of a tank according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture (WDC). The aquarium in Miami was also tested in court due to harm and harassment claims on the whales (WDC). The Miami Aquarium was tested both times against the Endangered Species ACT (WDC). Lolita’s case has yet to come to a conclusion yet.

The documentary Blackfish came out in 2013 and really exposed SeaWorld and holding the orca whales in captivity. Blackfish aired out a lot of problems with SeaWorld, aquariums, and the government. The documentary is mainly about one specific orca whale, Tilikum, who killed three people (IMBD). According to the documentary the orca whale was so aggressive because of confinement and harassment. Tilikum died in January of 2017 due to a lung infection (Orlando Sentential). It is believed that orcas are to intelligent to be held in confinement alone. The documentary also highlights on orcas and being alone. Whales are meant to travel in groups and thrive off of living and migrating with their families. The other stakeholder is SeaWorld. SeaWorld claims on their website that, “For more than 50 years, we have been a leading theme park and entertainment company delivering personal, interactive and educational experiences that blend imagination with nature and enable our guests to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world we share (SeaWorld). ” SeaWorld has received much backfire since the release of the documentary. According to Time News, Sea World’s net income dropped 84% from 2014 to 2015. Going from $37. 4 million to $5. 8 million (TIME). SeaWorld not being none for saving animal and rather harming them and the animals being injured by it causing less and less people to go every year.

Even after a killing happened at SeaWorld during a “Dining with Shamu” show in Frebruary 2010, it returned just a year later in spring 2011 (Bevil). Showing that SeaWorld bases their decisions on money and not morals or safety. If a compromise were put in place SeaWorld would have to get rid of the “wow” factor they make their money off of. In March 2016, SeaWorld announced that they will not breed orcas anymore and that they are starting to get rid of the theatrical “whale trained” shows (Bevil). SeaWorld has also has had court cases against them. The one that made moves for animal rights and the orcas in SeaWorld was “Tilikum v. SeaWorld. ” PETA filed the complaint against SeaWorld and stated that the orcas were protected under the 13th amendment, which is about slavery (PETA). The judge ruled that the amendment wasn’t applicable to animals. PETA claims that this case is the move forward from animal enslavement for the entertainment of humans.

SeaWorld has right for their entertainment and business. We live in a society that strives off of making money and consumerism. SeaWorld appeals to people by interacting nature and humans. Killer whales fascinate the human population because of how big they are. SeaWorld also has swimming with dolphins and petting dolphins, which is also extremely inhumane. Both whales and dolphins have developed skin conditions in SeaWorld. A veterinarian, Dr. Heather Rally, that visited SeaWorld said that the skin conditions could be caused from humans not having clean hands and/or being stressed induced (SeaWorld of Hurt). She said she observed that guest were never directed to wash their hands before interacting with dolphins either (SeaWorld of Hurt).

When whales have babies at SeaWorld they are often separated or die. A common happening that isn’t very known is with beluga whales. The beluga whales often become impregnated. A beluga whale named, Ruby, became pregnant in 2008 and 2010 and after she gave birth to both, she turned around and attacked the calfs (SeaWorld of Hurt). In 2012 SeaWorld claims that Ruby became pregnant again, but it was natural, and has a miscarriage (SeaWorld of Hurt). Ruby died in 2014. Another story about Martha, a beluga whale, who was captured from the wild from her whale family and moved into SeaWorld (SeaWorld of Hurt). Martha was repeatedly impregnated by SeaWorld five times. The first four times her calfs dies, and the fifth one survived, but was taken away from her out of her tank to be shipped to other SeaWorld locations (SeaWorld of Hurt).

Compromise is possible between SeaWorld and the WDC. But it would be the both coming to an agreement, Sea World would probably make more money if they were more of a conservation institution rather than a money maker. The WDC could bring sick or injured animals to Sea World and then they would take care of them and visitors/tourist could visit and get educated about the animals. Sea World would have to give up the “wow” factor of their organization and the WDC wouldn’t have to fight so hard to end the captivity of whales and dolphins. To do this more of the population would have to support non-profit organizations so that was people like the WDC are able to get the equipment to find, move, and place injured or sick whale and dolphins. The WDC and PETA would definitely be willing to help SeaWorld, and SeaWorld could still charge for entry and would still make money because people are and always will be curious about animals and wildlife.