To be sad about Seaworld?

[CatThiefKeith]

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.

[CatThiefKeith]

I would live to go to Iceland, and Canada. They both sound amazing.

If dh can drag me round Disney World etc then I shall insist we go to one or both of the above.

They sound much more up my street than the sickening display of abuse that is Seaworld!

[MagnaCharge]

I Went to seaworld florida in 1999, a few days after the man was found dead in the Orca pool, I remember watching Tillikum from the underwater viewing area I was just 16 but when he swam up to the glass he looked so sad, I can still picture the expression in his eyes. I can't believe they keep him there, I have signed every petition to release the whales to a seapen and point blank refused to go back to seaworld with my parents the next year well before blackfish.
It shocks me that anyone can see those enormous animals in those tiny tanks and think it is a good idea. Until Seeing it in real life I honestly didn't appreciate quite how utterly cruel it is.

[TheIronGnome]

I've just done research and unfortunately I was wrong (many years since I visited) the dolphins can't just leave when they fancy it... But the centre is a lot more ethical than sea life centres

[SpottieDottie]

Iceland is fantastic, I've been there twice and it's one of my favourite places to go. Seeing humpback whales in the wild is great, I didn't see minke whales there (it was winter) but I've seen them in Scotland - we get them quite often in the waters around this country.

[TheIronGnome]

The dolphin research centre (also in Florida) is another option for more ethical dolphin encounters!

[pissedglitter]

MrsJayy I think you live near me
If it's the same small zoo with 3 rescue bears

[GerundTheBehemoth]

Britain is really good for cetacean-watching. I had a fantastic encounter earlier this year with common dolphins on a boat trip out of Falmouth - boat was surrounded, they were leaping about and bow-riding, too close for my big lens to focus on them. Have also seen minke whales and common dolphins at close range on a boat trip from Gairloch in Scotland. Also tons of seabirds - skuas, puffins, gannets etc. In summer there is a good chance of seeing basking sharks.

[SpottieDottie]

Yes, we've seen basking sharks too - when paddling one swam right past us! even though we knew they were harmless we were all

[RayofSun]

I completely agree with everything said on here but I distinctly remember going to Seaworld about 30 years ago when I was 7 and it made such an impact on me. I wanted to be a marine biologist, it stimulated my love for the sea and I have become and avid (though apprehensive) diver. It was one of the most profound moments of my life, seeing those beautiful creatures up close. Agreed, it's different now that we all know what we do.

I think it's all very well to say go to Canada/ Iceland text but these things very costly and not everyone can financially or logistically manage this.

We just all need to sit and home and watch the Discovery channel

[InkleWinkle]

I think mrsjayy & pissedglitter stay near me - with the meerkats?

I really like that small zoo.

Have been to Seaworld twice, 1996 & 2007 & fell for all their 'conservation' hype but wouldn't go back now.

[ThatBloodyWoman]

I went in the very early 80's as a child, and it wasn't that amazing tbh.

I didn't know any better then, but even so I had some comprehension that the way I really wanted to see these beautiful creatures was in the oceans swimming free.

[ThatBloodyWoman]

I don't think it's the case that no one knew any better back then.

People were actively fighting for whales, dolphins and seals, both in the wild and in captivity even then.

It's just taken this long for the message to sink in, because too many people didn't want to know and didn't want to think about it.

And, unfortunately, many many people and some governments it seems, do not give a shit about it still.

[Damnautocorrect]

I think there's somewhere in Ireland you can swim with dolphins I had an English supply teacher who spent half the year in the uk the other half with the dolphins.

These beautiful creatures deserve so much more respect then we give them. They are intelligent wonderful beings.

[ThatBloodyWoman]

And I know I've contradicted myself there.-I only didn't know any better because I was a child.

[Mrsjayy]

Yes pissedglitter 3 rescue bears

[Charlieboo30]

I absolutely love Orcas and blackfish made me feel so sad. The whole thing is corrupt and wrong. No wonder Tillikum eventually snapped.

That video with Lolita is horrific. How can they get away with that? The people who make the rules aren't even enforcing them so what's the point...

[ihatethecold]

Is blackfish available on Netflix?

[ThatBloodyWoman]

No unfortunately.