This has not been a fast resolution for me. The truth is it’s most likely taken me approach too lengthy to make this stand…
Since I wrote this in 2015 there have been important adjustments and updates each at Seaworld and from corporations supporting them. We’re getting there!
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In October 2019 Tripadvisor introduced they are going to not promote tickets to sights that that breed or import captive whales and dolphins. That is FANTASTIC information! See the story on CNN.com
Nevertheless, SeaWorld Orlando are nonetheless working Shamu encounters with their Orca (April 2024).
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I’ve visited SeaWorld in California and in Orlando courting again to the Nineteen Eighties, and I’ve had enjoyable. I’ve cherished watching their wonderful Orcas leap into the air and plummet down of their big pool on the each day Shamu present. I’ve laughed and brought photographs alongside all the opposite followers because the whales ripped across the pool at velocity intentionally crashing their tails down to make sure the utmost quantity of water is heaved over the facet onto spectators in plastic rain coats.
In 2010 I even wrote a weblog publish on this web site that includes Shamu’s present as one of many Prime 5 issues to do in Orlando, and I raved about it for San Diego too. I’ve modified my thoughts.
However since then I’ve turn out to be a bit extra conscious. And apparently I’m not alone.
I attended IPW in 2015, the Worldwide Pow Wow journey commerce present with over 6000 journey trade delegates, in Orlando and as I write this, lots of them attended the large SeaWorld get together. I went out for dinner as a substitute, and right here’s why.
I hadn’t seen Blackfish, the anti SeaWorld film that has introduced the world’s consideration to among the practices at SeaWorld, once I wrote this, however I had learn each side of the argument and much more round it as I’ve completed some analysis for this publish.
I’m not boycotting SeaWorld due to any propaganda film. I simply can’t bear to see these whales dwelling in tiny tanks any longer. Scroll right down to see them nonetheless right here as at October 2023.
Wikipedia states that Orca swim as much as 160km (100 miles) per day within the wild. I’ve marked a circle on this map to point out the size of 100km (so it’s really even additional than this).
If I had been to place this pic over the 100km one above it will be smaller than a speck.
SeaWorld’s tanks that these as much as 6-ton whales are saved in are at most 30m extensive. Right here is the pic from Google Earth.
SeaWorld’s largest pool is one ten-thousandth of their pure each day swimming house.
However I’m not simply going to slam the park and be a part of the haters… I’ve an thought.
My resolution for Seaworld
I do know the corporate has taken an enormous monetary hit as instances have modified and folks not flock to see animals saved in cages. Elephants not carry out in circuses, or at the very least not in circuses that almost all of us would go to, and killer whales are the following elephant. Enormous, majestic animals trapped in aquatic jail cells.
I’ve seen renderings of SeaWorld San Diego’s plans to develop their pool space and make it look extra just like the ocean. However from whose perspective? We would suppose it’s extra aesthetically pleasing to see rocks and sand within the whale pool, however they’re nonetheless trapped in a pool – okay perhaps 60m extensive as a substitute of 30m.
No, what SeaWorld must do to outlive is part out their killer whale reveals, cease breeding them in captivity (test) and positively cease taking them from different pods world wide – both in captivity or not (test).
Right here’s my massive thought: They need to rent Franco Dragone, the Cirque du Soleil mastermind who has developed gobsmacking circuses world wide utilizing world-class athletes, gymnasts and acrobatics as a substitute of animals, and choreograph a spectacular present in all Shamu stadia.
A brand new Cirque/Seaworld present that displays all the pieces Orca do within the wild besides carried out by folks. It’d be a panoramic present of superior stunts set to music and lighting and fancy staging. At this second whales carry out stunts in these 30m swimming pools towards the backdrop of music and lighting and albeit it’s disturbing to observe. Think about Bellagio’s O – on SeaWorld steroids!
It will be a present that may appeal to guests each evening, together with the theme park rides the parks have already got, whereas the park morphs into the rehabilitation and breeding of endangered species for launch that in addition they at the moment concentrate on.
Oh and if you wish to see simply how far and quick orca swim, watch this unimaginable video as they chase after a ship rocketing by way of the ocean!
In January 2017 I acquired an e mail from the PR division of Seaworld San Diego making an attempt to allay my fears by displaying renderings of, amongst different issues, the brand new Orca pool. They’re very enthusiastic about it. They suppose this may attraction to their shrinking viewers and get guests again to the park once more. However is it simply me or does this appear to be it’s meant to attraction to people to make US really feel like we’re within the wild, or do you suppose these killer whales will discover the distinction?
Right here’s the picture so you may resolve for your self. I’m undecided if it’s to scale. Even whether it is, it’s nonetheless waaaay too small (see the video of orca swimming the wild beneath)
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From July 2016 : It’s not over but buddies! I used to be so thrilled to learn that SeaWorld had been stopping Orca reveals (see hyperlink beneath), till I met the PR lady from SeaWorld San Diego on the IPW journey convention in New Orleans final month. She informed me that the reveals are nonetheless going to run, simply with out the music and lighting. As a substitute they’ll concentrate on their pure habitat – or another bull. I used to be gob smacked. She needs me to go and go to and discuss to their trainers so I’ll “perceive”. I don’t suppose I ought to lest I get shouty!
I for one can be protecting stress on to let these majestic animals out of their bathtubs…