In 2013 the documentary “Blackfish” premiered at the Sundance festival, but was later spread to a larger community with the help of CNN. The film “Blackfish” questions the treatment and imprisonment of Orca Whales and proposes the idea that being held in small enclosures is detrimental to the health of these intelligent beings. After the documentary aired, “Seaworld’s profits dropped 84%” (Rhodan), but there are some visitors who still choose to attend the amusement park. What is the amoral history behind Seaworld? Are Seaworld visitors an accomplice to the abuse of Orca Whales? Should they be held captive at all? The first Seaworld opened its gates in March of 1964 in the city of San Diego, California. The original founders of this major corporation -
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In 1965, the first ever whale to be captured and transferred to Seaworld was a female Orca named Shamu. In order to imprison Shamu, the whale researcher killed the mother right in front of Shamu. Even after that, the researchers continuously captured and murdered these animals. Every time the researchers would kill an Orca while they were attempting to capture them, they would slice oopen the whale and fill the body with rocks so that the body was unable to locate. Shortly after Shamu was captured, she had shown signs of aggression several times. The first instance of Shamu’s aggression took place in the early 1970’s, “He knew Shamu was conditioned to being ridden only by persons wearing wetsuits, and that Shamu had in the past attacked persons who attempted to ride her in an ordinary bathing suit… In addition, Burgess had read training records which showed Shamu had been behaving erratically since early March 197.” (Justia US Law) But that wasn't the first instance of anger shown by killer whales. Aggression has been shown many times
In 1965, the first ever whale to be captured and transferred to Seaworld was a female Orca named Shamu. In order to imprison Shamu, the whale researcher killed the mother right in front of Shamu. Even after that, the researchers continuously captured and murdered these animals. Every time the researchers would kill an Orca while they were attempting to capture them, they would slice oopen the whale and fill the body with rocks so that the body was unable to locate. Shortly after Shamu was captured, she had shown signs of aggression several times. The first instance of Shamu’s aggression took place in the early 1970’s, “He knew Shamu was conditioned to being ridden only by persons wearing wetsuits, and that Shamu had in the past attacked persons who attempted to ride her in an ordinary bathing suit… In addition, Burgess had read training records which showed Shamu had been behaving erratically since early March 197.” (Justia US Law) But that wasn't the first instance of anger shown by killer whales. Aggression has been shown many times