In response to the new bill (just in time for the elections) to ban Orca captivity in California: I think the most important thing is for anti-captivity and pro-captivity people to come together and stop seeing each other as enemies. Weve already failed miserably. Lets find a resolution, not point fingers. No one loves these animals more than those who work with them and those who study their behavior. I am overjoyed by seeing the compassion that the average lay-person is displaying for Orcas. Did you know that before killer whales were kept in captivity, it was openly accepted to shoot these animals? Unfortunately we cannot rely on a movie such as blackfish to educate us on the physical and psychological needs of an animal. People have special interests. People for aquariums have special interests and are willing to lie to get people on their side. People against aquariums have special interests and are willing to lie to get people on their side. PLEASE REALIZE THAT. So, whats the solution? Some have suggested a resolution to the plight of the killer whale would be to create ocean sea pens for Orcas currently in aquariums. Large, expansive, maybe even open. If this happens, there are certain hurdles the Orcas will face. -Killer whales at seaworld live in a closed water system. This means that their water has been put through a painstaking process to kill any lifeforms that could cause infection and disease in the whales. For an animal who has lived in this environment for a long time, or like half of orcas at seaworld who were born there, exposing them to literally an ocean of disease and parasites could literally be deadly to many of them. -Many killer whales have naturally occurring cavities which expose the inner pulp of the teeth and have to be flushed out by trainers daily to prevent infection in the animals. -Some killer whales are on vital medications and are afflicted with normal mammalian ailments like heart and thyroid problems. -Pollution. Did you know that wild whales and dolphins are some of the most toxcis and polluted creatures on the earth? In many populations, their dead bodies are considered toxic waste because of harmful toxin levels. -Fish populations have been decreasing rapidly because of our over-fishing. It is not hard to imagine that an animal who no longer knows how to capture fish live (if it ever learned to begin with) will hav difficulty getting enough to eat. To release an orca is to say: I am exposing you to diseases that will likely kill you, parasites that will compromise your health. I am taking away your opportunity for medication, taking away your food supply. I am taking away your access to all veterinary care. I am taking away the humans that you have developed a relationship with. (Dont allow one aggressive whale to lead you to believe these creatures do not share a deep bond with their trainers). This is a complicated issue. We all love the Orcas. We all need to understand each other and work together to figure out what is truly best for these animals. For further advisement on Orca release, please educate yourself on the history of Keiko, the killer whale featured in Free Willy. People worked tirelessly to free this animal. Literally millions of dollars were raised to teach him how to eat live fish again and to re-unite him with his family. He was dead in six months. Please dont believe everything you see or hear. Please do your research and understand that there are factors that only the experts of these animals understand that come into play when trying to figure out what is best for them.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 05:28:05 +0000
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