The Cruel Captivity of Orcas as Depicted in Blackfish

Among the things people often do with their families and friends include visiting amusement parks like SeaWorld, Disneyland and other water parks. These can be great places for entertainment and fun for people of all ages especially young adults and children. However most people do not take the time to think about the issues that may surround these types of entertainment. How some of the animals are treated and whether animals should even be kept in captivity at all are some of the biggest discussion points when it comes to amusement parks like SeaLand, SeaWorld and Loro Parque where they claim to specialize in the care and display of killer whales. The film “Blackfish focuses on the captivity of an orca named Tillikum and the controversy over captive killer whales. The director Gabriele of “Blackfish” uses footage and interviews to present a convincing care against keeping these wild animals for human entertainment.

Additionally, SeaLand was also another amusement park that used orcas as entertainment to the people. Where the first human fatal attack occurred by Tillikum and 2 other orcas Haida II and Nootka IV. While orca attacks on humans are rare, there has only been known of 4 fatal attacks occurred by killer whales. Tillikum the orca was responsible for three of them. Seaworld requested an emergency transfer of Tilikum to their facility. In the interviews, employees and trainers expressed how they were never told about the incident that occurred prior to bringing the orca to SeaWorld. Instead they hid the facts and lied expressing it was the trainers who were at fault, and accidentally drowned. However, there were guests who witnessed the incident. Sealand of the pacific shortly closed after the incident happened. Second death occurred at seaworld, a homeless man who trespassed and was found the next day on top of tilikum unresponsive. The autopsy found numerous wounds, contusions covering his body, the autopsy concluded the cause of death was drowning.

Furthermore, the third fatal attack caused by Tilikum killed Dawn Brancheau, a 40 year old trainer. Dawn was killed following a Shamu show. Seaworld claims Tilikum pulled her by her ponytail and into the water. Dawns autopsy indicated death by drowning and blunt force trauma. Many speculations were made whether or not the orca pulled her down by her ponytail or pulled her down by her leg. The ongoing battle of a controversy video that was released of the victim. Showing the death of 40 year old trainer Dawn Brancheau. The family wants the death video and pictures sealed. The attorney claims the internet has changed things and there are individuals who will do disturbing things. The judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent their release. Brancheau’s family and Seaworld want the order to become permanent. Moreover, it was stated that Seaworld knew there was a calculated risk of injury or death but still put trainers in the water with the whales anyway. It was believed that the harassment had made Tillikum more aggressive than he would have otherwise been if he had remained in the wild. There’s more to dispute than just the orcas aggression that may have caused him to act that way. The length of time orcas typically live in captivity versus the length of time they generally live in the wild. Sea world has stated that captive female orcas can live 50 years and males 30 years. Which is false, orcas live the same amount as a human's lifespan.

Three deaths that provoked the ongoing court case between Seaworld and Osha. Osha cross examines Seaworld of Florida in regards to the three deaths. Seaworld head trainer Kelly Clark stated “Tillikum never exhibited any behavior that would make her think he pulled”. Osha Attorney asked “But you knew he was capable of pulling”?. While this was a back and forth battle I can tell that Seaworld has not letting their guard down and they are sticking to their story. I’m not sure if Seaworld has lost money due to the film being released, I’m sure however it has. Maybe this will help open the eyes to the public and stop the captivities of animals and mammals.

In summary, I honestly believe that killer whales regardless of how much training they went and are going through they will always be a wild mammal. You can’t expect an animal or mammal to act any different from their natural habitat. I, myself have never been to an aquarium or Seaworld, for the same reason. I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 10 years old. I can relate to the fact that why should “animal abuse” only be considered for dogs, cats, etc. Why not to pigs, cows and chickens ? So much controversy with a lot of back and forth. I don’t find it fair that animals are kept in cages and sea animals in 10 by 10 tanks. They should be where they belong in their homes where they were born.