Blackfish Backlash
- Thread starter Nicole
- Start date
San Antonio had done Halloween Orca shows for years. Figured they would bring this back since they brought back the summer show.
This thread got me thinking. If I'm in San Antonio or Orlando I would still go to Sea World and I might even attend one of their Orca shows. I'm glad they are no longer breeding the whales. However, as it was stated previously in this thread, the animals raised in captivity would never survive in the wild. Interestingly enough it will be roughly between 2040 - 2050 until all the whales at Sea World have lived a full life. I'm vegetarian and I'm also super concerned about climate change and do a lot to lower my carbon footprint. I think United Parks does some good in studying animals to help them in the wild. Busch Gardens definitely takes in animals in need. I went to one of their wolf talks in Williamsburg this year and they even did back surgery on a wolf! That's insane and when people complain about prices, I ask them how much they think vets cost. They have so many animals at these parks and it is important for us to see them and appreciate them. Hopefully some of us take something away.
So, go ahead have the show. At the end of the day it's fun or someone learns something, both are good things.
So, go ahead have the show. At the end of the day it's fun or someone learns something, both are good things.
These parks are horribly run from a guest perspective, but they have done alot of work with other AZA facilities. In fact SWO, helped pioneer the technology to help coral polyps
I felt compelled to add a small tidbit to this, because this is precisely how I feel. I'm glad breeding is terminated. However, those animals won't live long in the wild. That, coupled with SWO being solely responsible for my love of Orca, I will always support United because the animals need us. Many people, not all, are short sighted in why they care. However, if you probe them deep enough, there is a high probability that the reason they care so much about the Orcas is because of SeaWorld. In the late 2000's, I was entertained, educated, and emotionally connected to the animals during show #1 at the age of 23. Sure, I had viewed Free Willy, but short of that I cared very little for them. They were just killers of the ocean.
Now, you will never convince me otherwise that those animals do not enjoy their emotional connection with the trainers or demonstrating behaviors in the shows.
I understand Sea World does a lot of good in marine life rehab but the truth of the matter is they have a horrible reputation in a lot of circles, and the Orcas are a huge part of that, fair or not (I personally think it is, they’re not meant for captivity, people knew that before Blackfish). They are doing the right thing not breeding nor releasing their orcas, I will say
Part of the reason I hate United so much is BGW and BGT are now inextricably linked to Sea World. A lot of the general public doesn’t know that, but as someone who loves the Busch parks but feels no need to ever go to a Sea World park, it’s kind of rough to reconcile. Corporate management is inept, and this proves it again. I pray BGW and BGT can weather United’s moronic decision making and eventually find a buyer. Private equity cutting out those two parks and selling them off would be the best case scenario. Better than ruining their good reputations like United has been doing. Herschend please save us.
Part of the reason I hate United so much is BGW and BGT are now inextricably linked to Sea World. A lot of the general public doesn’t know that, but as someone who loves the Busch parks but feels no need to ever go to a Sea World park, it’s kind of rough to reconcile. Corporate management is inept, and this proves it again. I pray BGW and BGT can weather United’s moronic decision making and eventually find a buyer. Private equity cutting out those two parks and selling them off would be the best case scenario. Better than ruining their good reputations like United has been doing. Herschend please save us.
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Since somehow Blackfish has survived in the collective unconscious, it is probably important to remind everyone that the original documentary was exceedingly biased, poorly sourced, and fundamentally one-sided.
I am not taking a position on whether orcas should be raised in captivity, I am merely cautioning people not to assume it was valid reporting.
Moreover, SeaWorld, like the Busch parks, has evolved with the industry and employs humane animal keeping practices and is a rescue center for injured marine life.
I am not taking a position on whether orcas should be raised in captivity, I am merely cautioning people not to assume it was valid reporting.
Moreover, SeaWorld, like the Busch parks, has evolved with the industry and employs humane animal keeping practices and is a rescue center for injured marine life.
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