Killer Whale kills trainer

[Kalei]

I don't believe there is one. Even if there is, you can probably be certain that it will never be made public.

I, for one, wouldn't care to view it.........

Yeah, you are probably right. I just wanted to know what the truth was, if he was just playing or if he actually attacked her aggressively, cause there seems to be two rumors going on.

[phesina]

He won't be released according to news reports I heard this a.m.

His chances of survival, even in an offshore sanctuary, would be slim, after 25 years in captivity. Wildlife "experts" said he doesn't have the survival skills needed, and he could be attacked by other males if he tried to join a pod.

So man has pretty much written this creature's death sentence for him, and he has really been dying a slow death for the past 25 years, while big corporations enjoy the money that he has made for them.

What a shame!

How very sad. WHY are so many of us humans so twisted?

[wombat2u2004]

So man has pretty much written this creature's death sentence for him, and he has really been dying a slow death for the past 25 years, while big corporations enjoy the money that he has made for them.

Not all of man. Only those who believe that the dollar is mightier than anything else.

[blue]

Lets not forget the educational value that comes from these animals or the scientific studies that go on.

[wombat2u2004]

Lets not forget the educational value that comes from these animals or the scientific studies that go on.

What educational value would an Orca held in captivity for the amusement of people possibly contribute ????

There is a line to be drawn I believe. Not that I like what goes on, on both sides of the line, but sometimes it is necessary for scientific purposes.
My daughter does SIDS research, and she uses baby pigs (not sure of the link between humans and pigs, but she assures me that baby pigs are what they learn from). But those baby pigs are bred specifically for research purposes, and yeah, they die, but in a very humane way. And she assures me that there is no cruelty at all involved in her work. Still, if her work requires that, then so be it, but I still don't have to like what she does.

I believe in the case of the Orca, that there are too many bucks involved. That whale is kept there not for any educational value OR scientific study....it's there to make dollars for it's owners.....and this conclusion is substantiated by the fact that the animal is kept in such as small enclosure and taught to do tricks.

[wombat2u2004]

I guess this is just another proof that mankind's going way too far by using other forms of life for its own entertainment.

That's always been so.....all the way thru history.
If those corporations could get away with it, I bet they'd reinstate gladiatorial contests between humans.

[lizbud]

Some people questioned putting Tilikum back in the wild. I read a
article from someone how knows his chances of surviving. Interesting.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/02/2...iko/index.html

[Catty1]

That was really interesting, lizbud.

I bet many members of the public would donate to help return Tillikum to the Iceland pen, if that decision was made. Hopefully some rescue groups like the writer's have contacted Seaworld, and their offers at least considered. I don't think the final decision has been made on Tillikum yet.

[Smarties]

Well, this is gonna be a long post, so listen carefully.

The whale shouldnt have been taken OUT of her habitiat in the first place. It's bad to take it out of it's N-A-T-U-R-A-L habitat!!!!!!! God made it there, in the Ocean, to be there as long as it lives. Not to be trained in some fish park and be aggravated and frustrated everyday! It's the animal keepers fault for the death of them. They should have left it in the ocean. Period end of story.

May the poor lady Rest In Peace, and may the whale be released to the natural habitiat it once lived in.

[Alysser]

I felt the same way as many of you did not too long ago. I loved zoos and aquariums when I was litte, but I often found myself questioning their usage and if they were justified. When I was 12, and incredibly determined to be a Marine Scientist (STILL am!) I visited the Mote Aquarium in Florida and talked to a very intelligent man who had a PhD in my dream field and what he said made alot of sense to me, which is probably the only reason I remember it. Aquariums and Zoos are generally there for educational purposes, breeding programs, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and general entertainment. He said, he didn't believe SeaWorld really was like this because he doesn't like to hear about animals being made to do tricks either - I mean where's the education in that? But I personally believe many Aquariums and Zoos are thrown down the drain with things like the circus, roadside zoos, and generally any aquarium [and zoo] that doesn't know how to take care of their animals.

If you want species to be saved, habitats to be preserved, myths of certain animals [such as sharks] squashed, and animals kept in their natural habitat then you have no choice but to educate the masses, continue scientific research, get people out to see these animals up close. I for one, think this is a good way to do that - GOOD zoos and aquariums. People will never understand the importance of species, habitat preservation - if they are not educated on the matter. What is sadder to you? Species being completely wiped-out or thrown out of their habitat or being in captivity and well taken care of? There is no doubt that zoos and aquariums have impacted wild animal #'s for the better. The panda recently released into the wild in China was born in captivity at the Washington DC National Zoo. They're given 2 pandas if they promise that when they breed them the babies are given back to China to continue to help the growing panda population. The Boston Aquarium takes injured baby turtles or baby turtles that have never made it to the ocean into their care where they are rehabilitated and put back into the wild. The Mote Aquarium does the same for baby whales and dolphins. They also capture birds caught in oil spills and clean the up and rehabilitate them - then release them. I think it's a fabulous thing what these Zoos are doing. Why should an animal be "left to die" and "let nature take it course" when it can be saved by people? No only does that diminish the population, but it is also hypocritical. That's like saying pets should be left to die if they can be saved...:/

This issue is based on morals - entirely, and it's not that I don't believe in animals roaming free in their natural habitat, because I really do. But I don't think good zoos and aquariums with these kinds of programs should be coupled with the several bad ones out there. I DON'T like the fact that the animals are made to do tricks either, because I don't feel it's at all educational. But parks like SeaWorld have uncovered countless things scientifically and I believe the programs in some zoos and aquariums can help save species, maybe they only have a small impact, but an impact is an impact. Don't forget here, that it is also man ruining the NATURAL habitats of these animals.

That's not to say all zoos and aquariums are well-maintained and beneficial to preserving wild animals, because they're certainly not. I hate Circuses, road-side zoos, and the like just as much as the next person. But for all the people who are against zoos and aquariums, you all have pets, is it NOT the same thing? I mean, indirectly, it is. And of course, there are - the rare instances in which a case like this comes up, and it really is sad all around the spectrum. It causes us to question the rights of keeping and animal in captivity, but I still stand by what I said before. There are pros and cons to this issue - but personally I think the pros outway the cons.

Just a few things to keep in mind.

[Smarties]

I totally agree

[DJFyrewolf36]

Good post Alysser...exactly what I was thinking.