SeaWorld in Sundance

[TTD-120-420]

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Orca+documentary+Blackfish+creates+splash/7860278/story.html

What do you make of this?

[coaster_junky]

"Cowperthwaite says she is not an activist, and had no intention of proselytizing when she set out to make her heart-wrenching feature."

Filling this with nothing but negative images and then stating that you're not trying to convert people to a different viewpoint is ridiculous to say. Unfortunately I feel that this could end up being terrible for the orcas that are currently in captivity in the SeaWorld parks.

[TTD-120-420]

Until I read this I didn't know that Tilikum was still performing. After all of the incidents Tilikum has had, I do think it is a little irresponsible of Seaworld to keep the animal...at least in shows.

[malem]

This article is quite biased in favor of the filmmaker; that the documentary stands a "good chance" of putting the chain "out of business" is far-fetched at best. Also, the chain has not gone public; they have merely announced their intent for an IPO.

Fatalities are certainly tragic, and all reasonable efforts should be made to prevent them from reoccurring, but ending human interaction with orcas would be a huge overreaction.

I do see orca shows being phased out over time, as parks and zoos move towards more natural and immersive exhibits. See SeaWorld Orlando's Antarctica renovation as an example. However, ending them now probably isn't best for the animals currently in captivity.

These shows drastically increased public awareness of whales, and much of the resources spent to protect them in the wild can be attributed to this. As our understanding of whales improves, phasing out their use in shows is probably a good idea in the long term. As SeaWorld evolves, ending orca performances certainly won't end the parks.

[faeriewench]

Until I read this I didn't know that Tilikum was still performing. After all of the incidents Tilikum has had, I do think it is a little irresponsible of Seaworld to keep the animal...at least in shows.

Tillikum was out of shows for several months following the 2010 incident and again for awhile in 2012 but started again during the Xmas season. So in other words he's kinda been in and out, seemingly by choice on his part more recently. Can't force an animal of this size to do anything he/she doesn't want to so...yeah. And I've seen these guys refuse to perform (primarily the dominant females..and especially the gals of San Diego) and the trainers just work around them if they refuse to go to the back pools.

IMO, he needs the stimulation the shows provide for him mentally and physically. All of them do. But that's a topic for another place.

[faeriewench]

For those curious, wanna see a really upset orca? Meet Kalia, the daughter of the matriarch in San Diego having a full blown temper tantrum. When they start tail slapping (often a display to others around them that they are frustrated) and making those calls, all pod mates and trainers try to get out of the way (I must say I wish I had her stamina) As I said...can't force them to do anything they don't want to do, they usually really good at letting you know as seen here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL8fZXLA1Gs