So as I have inundated my feed with repeated reminders to watch Blackfish as it airs on CNN, I feel that I must comment on the documentary and my feelings about it. While I do not agree with keeping these magnificent intelligent creatures in captivity as they have historically been kept, I think this was a pretty fair portrayal of the controversy. Yes, SeaWorld does do work in rescue and rehab of marine wildlife. Yes they do provide an arena for people to learn about and appreciate these magnificent animals and to see them up close. Many of us will never be fortunate enough to ever see them in their natural environment swimming free in the vast oceans but that doesnt mean I feel even the slightest bit OK about them living in a swimming pool for their entire lives. I also feel that its a bit shady that SeaWorld refused to be interviewed for this film. Although I feel bad for the families of the trainers that lost their lives while working with these captive animals, I feel that it is a risk they take in doing that type of work. In my mind its not much different than other really cool/dangerous career choices like driving a race car, or chasing storms. As far as the power of this documentary ..... I feel that I came away informed. I am not enraged as I had expected myself to be. (Not nearly as angry and sickened as I was after watching The Cove. THAT documentary shook me to the core and completely changed my way of thinking about marine mammals in captivity and dolphin encounter exhibits etc) I will not buy a ticket to one of these parks and I will discourage others from doing so as well. If you havent seen either film, I encourage you to do so. Hopefully before you book your vacation with the swim with the dolphins adventure or a trip to the aquarium circus. Maybe a trip to see these animals in their natural habitat would be something to consider instead. ;-)
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 06:45:45 +0000
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