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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why Seaworld hasn't been closed down for animal cruelty

75 replies

Albertatata · 03/05/2014 22:28

Just watched Black whale - the whale that killed on BBC4. Seaworld seems such a cruel and abusive set up, how can anyone think that it is entertainment?

it was a great documentary, definitely recommend it. So shocked about how the whales are captured, abused, neglected and bred. I really want to protest about it in some way - anyone got any ideas of the best way to do this.

OP posts:
PansOnFire · 03/05/2014 23:28

I've just watched too, I'm shocked. I don't think it's particularly aquariums that are the focus, it's the training and conditions that the orcas are kept in. The thing that's concerning is that if you google 'orca attacks' there is a list (the one that is mentioned in the documentary) of all the behaviours of the orcas in captivity that have caused alarm. It clearly shows the frustrations of certain orcas who are still subjected to this regimented training and who are put directly in contact with humans.

How awful it must be to be kept in those conditions. The part about the mothers and babies being separated was heartbreaking, one of them tried a sound that had never been documented before in a bid to attract the attention of her baby to make her come back.

The most interesting part were the reactions of the former trainers, especially the woman who said she couldn't believe that she bought into the lines that Seaworld fed the audience about the whales performing because they wanted to and not because they were told to. You could see she was ashamed of herself for being part of that. And the trainer who stayed because he felt so sorry for Tilikum. It's just so wrong on so many levels, I don't understand why Seaworld is still doing this. I suppose it raises the question about what to do with the Orcas why have, they couldn't ever be set free but I'm sure there is a more suitable way of keeping them in 'captivity'.

WooWooOwl · 03/05/2014 23:30

I agree that they all deserve the same compassion, but from what I can see the people who run places like London zoo are a lot more compassionate towards their animals than the likes of sea world are towards theirs.

I'm not a fan of zoos tbh, but like you I can see that they do some good work.

I'd just prefer the debate about sea world not to involve zoos, because I do believe that what happens there is significantly worse. I don't think it's helpful to draw comparisons at all really, I was just responding to another poster.

BolshierAyraStark · 03/05/2014 23:31

Thatbloody you have it exactly.

newfavouritething · 03/05/2014 23:32

Which is why I think that the emphasis should be saving habitat rather than individual species.
BolshierAyraStark, were you replying to me? Did you actually read what I wrote?

TheMaw · 03/05/2014 23:34

Ronmione you're so right, it totally makes you re- think animals in captivity. I took my DC to a sea-life centre recently, it boasts about having a turtle, the only one in Scotland, apparently. I left thinking, well it didn't fucking swim here by itself did it? None of the staff could tell me where it came from. So, in all likelyhood, if was a healthy turtle that was captured, to spend its life in a tank. I'm sickened that I paid to see it, I really am. I wish I'd thought about it properly before I took the kids, I feel like such a hypocrite. Never again.

BolshierAyraStark · 03/05/2014 23:37

Tbf your post is not the easiest to read...

No we shouldn't be attempting to recreate a habitat, we should simply leave theirs the fuck alone-HTH.

ThatBloodyWoman · 03/05/2014 23:41

I went to Seaworld as a child way back in the early 80's.
I hate the fact that I enjoyed it so much Sad

newfavouritething · 03/05/2014 23:44

Thankyou, it does help, I see that you agree with me re saving the habitat, not the animal.

DogCalledRudis · 03/05/2014 23:45

I go to zoos and aquariums in most places i visit. IMHO one does not equal another. Also depends on animal species themselves.

snoggle · 03/05/2014 23:45

bolshier I think you and newfavourite are in agreement? They are saying that if you don't destroy the habitat then you don't destroy the species. Or any other species that lives in it!

BolshierAyraStark · 04/05/2014 00:06

Maybe we do-have had a fair few gins at this hour...

Whatever, I think my view is clear-there are a lot if endangered species, we are responsible for them.

Killer Wales are nice but not endangered-sharks are not so cute but MASSIVELY endangered, get on your fucking highhorse/soapbox whatfuckingever & SAVE A SPECIES-u know its right & u want to.

Thank you.

Catsize · 04/05/2014 05:30

Here is a link to an organisation that has been going in the UK since the late 80s. They currently have a campaign re:Seaworld and Richard Branson...

uk.whales.org

I was really into campaigning about this 25 or so years ago. Have sadly lapsed a bit but you are right to make me think about it again.

No whale and dolphin shows in the UK any longer, as it is recognised as very cruel. Ironically, it was a dolphin show seen on a school exchange on Germany that ignited my love of them.

NoodleOodle · 04/05/2014 06:05

Off to watch Black Fish now, will comment after.

Rabbitcar · 04/05/2014 06:15

I agree, even when I went to Florida to sea world in the 80s as a child, I found it cruel. Having performing animals is a disgrace. I wouldn't be classed as an animal lover in any way, but I boycott all zoos etc, as why on earth should animals be locked up for my viewing pleasure?

Surely any conservation work can be done in the local country? I'll admit I don't know too much about the politics of conservation, but anyone can see that forcing these poor creatures to perform is just shocking.

NoodleOodle · 04/05/2014 07:28

The mother wailing for her removed calf was heartbreaking.

BankWadger · 04/05/2014 08:50

By the end of that program both DH and I looked like this Shock. We both know places like Seaworld are awful, but not how utterly vile they truly are!

Poor Tilikum is basically a psychopath now, but not because he was born that, but because of the terrible abuse he suffered.

DandyDindie · 04/05/2014 09:24

I think one of the key things to remember is that the majority if dolphins exhibited in captivity were taken from the wild, and they don't breed well in Europe so the conservation argument is very weak. It's basically an entertainment industry. Also whilst the uk currently has no dolphins in captivity there's no law against this so we need to be vigilant against it being developed :-(

mummytime · 04/05/2014 10:04

I just signed the petition to Richard Branson.

I often go on Disney threads to express why I'd never go to Seaworld/Discovery Cove.
I really think most American's have no idea that there is any controversy.

susiedaisy · 04/05/2014 12:46

Can I ask what is the petition?

foolssilver · 04/05/2014 13:58

yanbu

Seaworld and the like are complete hell holes for the animals they hold. They can't be compared to zoos, they are more easily compared to circuses. There is no conservation only entertainment.

It is great to see so many Sea Shepherd supporters. At risk of outing myself I have a role within the UK branch. I have also been to Taiji to the Cove. The demand for captive dolphins means the hunt continues.

If you are interested in the subject I would also recommend a documentary called A Fall from Freedom.I think iit's free on YouTube.

queenofwesteros · 04/05/2014 16:48

fools I first came across Sea Shepherd in their anti-whaling capacity and have been a staunch supporter since. I think they do an amazing job.
Seaworld on the other hand....a fucking hellhole for animals Sad

Mrsjayy · 04/05/2014 17:08

I am on an older thread about Blackfish and as i said on there and here i am ashamed i went to seaworld we will never go to a marine park again, I always knew it wasn't right but that film made it clear how bad they are I couldnt stop thinking about it ,

Catsize · 04/05/2014 17:30

Hi susie, I posted a link to a petition at 05:30.

lessthanBeau · 04/05/2014 17:41

YANBU, I heard lots of celebrities cancelled their perfomance at seaworlds music events and also at busch gardens because of the blackfish controversy. hopefully this back lash will eventually lead to the retirement of the current captives and the end of the captive breeding program. one of the trainers from the documentary tried to do a U turn and said that the calves had to be taken from the mothers as they werent looking after them properly , errr because they were not old enough to be mothers, after being forced into breeding way too young, and he also said that seaworld really cares for the animals and does the best they can for them, well if I pop you into a bathtub for the rest of your life but feed you restaurant quality food and dont actually hurt you physically myself, will that be alright then?
Even if the documentary is twisted or edited to make seaworld look bad, it is never going to be OK to keep and breed these animals in captivity.
also recommend everyone read death at seaworld by david kerry

lessthanBeau · 04/05/2014 17:45

kirby not kerry

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