WSPA condemns SeaWorld
Mar 1, 2010
© WSPA
This latest news (see BBC article for more) that a captive SeaWorld killer whale named Tilikum attacked and killed its trainer is nothing new, as this is the third time ‘Tilly’ has killed. This repeated aggressive behaviour is doubly concerning as it reveals the serious welfare risk to both people and animals for the sake of entertainment.
The ‘conservation interests’ that aquariums like SeaWorld claim to have at heart are a thin veil for this cruel and exploitative industry. Research has shown that these highly intelligent whales suffer both mentally and physically in captivity.
Read about the case against marine mammals in captivity >>
A tragic situation for all
“Marine mammals are some of the most charismatic creatures on the planet and it is certainly understandable that people are drawn to them,” said Sharanya Prasad, program manager for WSPA.
“However, the safety and ethical concerns of keeping marine mammals in captivity – as seen in the recent tragedy at SeaWorld with its orca Tilikum – raises an important question: “Is our own entertainment worth it?””
Michelle Cliffe, communications manager for WSPA Canada, added: “Education and conservation are often used to justify the existence of marine parks, but living in a tank changes the nature and behaviour of marine mammals, and so does forcing them to do tricks. So how can this distorted view teach us anything meaningful? And how can conservation be a claim when these animals continue to be taken from the wild to stock the tanks?”
What's wrong with keeping killer whales in captivity?
There should not be a situation where a wild animal and a human interact in this way.These forced conditions too frequently lead to trainers being injured or indeed killed by the captive wild animal.
The inevitable tragic occurrences we see in the news are a direct result of the animal displaying its natural behaviour under stress and in an unnatural environment.
In captivity they have access to less than one ten-thousandth of one per cent of the space available to them in their natural ocean environment and their lifespan is considerably shorter. No captive facility can adequately simulate vast ocean habitats or provide for their complex behavioural needs.
In the wild, killer whales are continually on the move, sometimes travelling as much as 160 kilometres in a day. Up to four generations may be seen travelling together, as females can reach 90 years of age.
“Viewing captive animals gives the public a false picture of the animals’ natural lives,” said Prasad.
“In captivity, natural feeding and foraging patterns are completely lost. Stress-related conditions such as ulcers, stereotypical behaviours including swimming in circles and self-mutilation, and abnormal aggression within groups frequently develop because the whales are denied the opportunity to hunt. Other natural behaviours, such as those associated with dominance, mating and maternal care, are altered in captivity, which can have a substantial impact on the animals.”
What should happen to Tilikum?
WSPA firmly believes that each individual animal should be assessed on a case-by-case basis on whether or not they can be released back into the wild.
“At the very least, WSPA recommends that SeaWorld work with marine mammal behaviour experts to evaluate whether Tilikum is fit for rehabilitation and reintroduction to the wild and, in the meanwhile, not make this animal perform for human entertainment,” said Prasad.
“It is important that we all learn from this tragedy, focus on putting an end to marine mammal captivity and – in turn – prevent another incident from occurring in the future.”
How you can help
Aquariums like this are built to attract the visiting public and make profits; they never put the needs of the animals first.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) campaigns for an end to the use of any animal in entertainment and urges you to actively discourage from visiting marine mammals in captivity and to instead help them flourish in the wild.
Suzi added: “WSPA believes it is tourism that keeps these cruel and unnecessary attractions that use animals for entertainment in business. The only way to stop this industry and force it to change is to stop paying and contributing to their success. Through responsible whale watching operations you can see these amazing animals in the wild where they belong.”
Find out more about animal friendly travel >>
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