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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be sad about Seaworld?

68 replies

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 07:27

Dh has been to Florida twice, both times as a child, and is determined we will take dd (3) when she is old enough.

Ever since I was little I have been fascinated by whales and dolphins, and I grew up (70's/80's) wanting to go to Seaworld.

But now I can't bloody well go, because I am an adult, and know it is wrong to keep those beautiful animals the way Seaworld do.

Fuckers.

OP posts:

Numero3 · 14/05/2014 07:29

Not unreasonable at all. Poor animals

Original poster

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 07:32

Seemed perfectly acceptable 30 years ago though, as did animals in a circus.

I am glad we are better educated now, and obviously I won't be going, but I kind of wish I had gone when it wasn't wrong, or at least I didn't know it was wrong.

I am a terrible person.

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Theodorous · 14/05/2014 07:34

PETA have a great iphone app that notifies you of concerns about Sea World, circuses etc and links to official petitions. I really recommend it.

mumteedum · 14/05/2014 07:36

Did you watch blackfish? Saw it last week. Truly shocking.

Perhaps you can save up and go on whale watching holiday and see them in the wild?

OurMiracle1106 · 14/05/2014 07:38

There are some places where you can swim with wild (though semi tame) dolphins. Its something me and my mum always wanted to do and is much kinder to the animal.as they are still in their natural habitat.

Theodorous · 14/05/2014 07:42

We have dolphins in Qatar just off the coast. When we go out on the boat they usually come and put on a show, it's lovely that they choose to come and greet us without being asked.

TheFillyjonk · 14/05/2014 07:42

There's something about watching wild whales and dolphins in the sea that is so beautiful. Infinitely better than seeing the poor things do tricks in what is effectively a swimming pool. I'll never forget seeing dolphins skipping over the waves from a boat in Greece - I feel so lucky to have seen them.

I do know you mean though - I have a sea creature fascination but I am terrified of drowning so I would never go scuba diving to see them, only to aquariums. I don't like the fact they're not in their natural habitat. Guess it'll have to be reruns of the Blue Planet from now on!

DotToDott · 14/05/2014 07:42

I love animals and especially sea creatures.

i know DS would be fascinated too, and i have a free voucher for Seaworld but i can't bring myself to go afteronly recently realising just how bad and cruel it all is .

Original poster

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 07:43

I was lucky enough to have two wild dolphins guide my surf board in to the beach years ago while I was having a lesson. the instructor said they probably thought I was a baby whale in distress

And I have been Whale watching in Oz. A humpback drew right alongside our boat. Majestic beast.

I have a blue planet box set - that'll have to do sadly.

OP posts:

Original poster

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 07:47

Not seen Blackfish, I think I would find it too upsetting tbh.

I was devastated when Keiko died.

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Blondiebrownie · 14/05/2014 08:04

People should watch blackfish and the cove before visiting these places.

Lolita at the Miami Seaquarium is the saddest case I have seen, her 'tank' is not within the dimensions given by animal rights and yet they still do nothing.

They should be free.

Blondiebrownie · 14/05/2014 08:06

Here

ihatethecold · 14/05/2014 08:11

If you want to see dolphins en masse in the wild then head to the gulf coast in Florida.
We went on a boat trip to an island that is only I habituated by turtles.
On our way there we had loads of dolphins with their calves doing tricks in the wake of the boat.
It was amazing.

WooWooOwl · 14/05/2014 08:11

If you've been lucky enough to have the experience of seeing wild whales and dolphins, then try and recreate that experience at some point with your dd. She will be much better served by you educating her about how whales and dolphins are really supposed to live and about the cruelty of sea world and the like.

Maybe you could all learn to dive together as a family when she's older. There are courses that children as young as 8 can do in a swimming pool and she can dive in the sea at age 10. It's a great things to do as a family and can be the focus of some amazing family holidays.

Original poster

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 08:13

Blondie that's awful. Why do people still go?

Surely if you are interested in the animals enough to want to go, you care enough to boycott it?

I would desperately like to see them up close, but no way would I do so at Seaworld. As much as I would like to

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Original poster

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 08:19

I passed my Open water years ago, but tbh the open sea gave me the Heebie Jeebies! Seen Jaws too many times I think!

I like the sound of the Gulf of Florida though. Will definitely look into that when we go.

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LividofLondon · 14/05/2014 08:33

"Why do people still go? Surely if you are interested in the animals enough to want to go, you care enough to boycott it?"

I think so many people are ignorant of how the animals should be living, they just don't think about it, and are not emotionally intelligent enough to question whether it's right or wrong. With these people education is the key. Then there are those who are willfully ignorant; they know it's not right but their selfish urge to have a "dolphin experience" overrides their empathy for the creatures. with these people a flogging in the stocks is my preferred option

Mrsjayy · 14/05/2014 08:39

I have been to seaworld twice as an adult I feel quite ashamed really they say they are all for animal conservation helping manatees etc yet they have performing whales and dolphins, who are not treated well

springlamb · 14/05/2014 08:48

This has been a slow burn in my house too, hastened by dc developing consciences and both being animal fanatics. We went to Seaworld quite merrily in the early 2000s. We wouldn't go now. We have been lucky enough to see whales and dolphins in the wild (even in the Moray Firth and Newquay in Wales). There is no comparison, your heart soars when you spot them where they should be.
We go regularly to Hurghada in Egypt where a local dive shop runs very early morning trips to a location where there is a resident pod of dolphins. You can get into the water with them, your choice. No point going later in the day as the heat rises the dolphins go deep. You could probably get them to come to the surface with food etc but the dive shop will not do this so you either get up at 6am on your holiday or you don't see dolphins.
Now, I am waiting for a call from dd's school friend's mum. They are going to Florida soon and unfortunately we mentioned Blackfish to the girl when she was here earlier this week when she said she would be going to Seaworld...

Original poster

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 08:52

Oh well done Springlamb. I hope they change their mind.

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Original poster

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 08:54

Livid Surely everyone knows by now that it is cruel? The news, and even facebook regularly have articles about it.

Like Granny the 103 year old Orca for example.

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Mrsjayy · 14/05/2014 08:55

yes it was early 200s we went too still didnt sit right with me we have been to the morray firth loads its great even if you just sea a fin, dds and dh have been on a boat trip in the canaries (I hate boats) to see dolphins and whales they said it was amazing, also if you go to universal in Florida dont go to the animal show, as they have a baby orang u tang and other performing animals

Mrsjayy · 14/05/2014 08:55

200os* sorry

scrappydappydoo · 14/05/2014 09:00

We went to SeaWorld once 8yrs ago we walked out after an hour. I'm not an animal lover really but I felt ill at all those animals being used for entertainment in that way. We didn't even see the orcas just the dolphins and sea lions.
Op there are better places in Florida - I hear they have giant mice down the road from SeaWorld ;)

Original poster

CatThiefKeith · 14/05/2014 09:07

We won't be going Scrappy.

When we first met dh was telling me how great it was, how the Orca's live the trainers and cuddle them etc.

I was . In fairness I think he saw it as a 10yo boy, and took it all in, and somehow hadn't questioned it as an adult.

He now realises how unnatural and wrong that is, but I can sort of see why he still remembers it quite fondly, as 20 years ago and as a child it didn't occur to him it was just plain wrong.

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