Killer Whale kills trainer

[Kirsten]

These huge mammals are not meant to be kept in a tank. Of course he was probably depressed. One could probably compare it to a person living his life in a small closet.

I absolutely agree! As much as I regret the death of his trainer, and as much as I'm feeling sorry for her loved ones, I guess this is just another proof that mankind's going way too far by using other forms of life for its own entertainment. Accidents like this should be an eye opener for future generations to treat animals with more respect.

Of course I know it's not that simple. And maybe I don't even have the right to judge as I have pets, two indoor cats, prisoners of my house, so to speak... Where's the difference? Where should the line be drawn? Is it a crime to have pets at all? Or does that go only for some special breeds? Are all zoos evil? For many years, I refused to visit any zoos, because I just thought that animals don't belong there. Meanwhile, I changed my mind a bit. In this world of ours, the natural environments for animals are fading, life in the wild is no fun for many of them. So zoos and wildlife parks may be a safer environment for some animals. And, after all, many zoos these days try to provide better, more natural enclosures for their animals. And, last but not least, zoos may have another mission: "Men are willing to protect what they know and love". By having the chance to see these beautiful animals, men will become aware of their problems and may feel the need to protect their environment, and their lives.

But no matter how you put it, in the end, you'll always come to the point that it's been our own species that brought everything out of balance. We should be ashamed of that instead of referring to us as "creation's crowning glory" (always hated that term anyway).

Incidents like the one in Orlando are reminders to us to reconsider the ways we're treating this planet and everything/everyone on it.

Kirsten

[pomtzu]

Good post Kirsten. There are so many variables, that there really is no black or white, but common sense should prevail. Unfortunately, it doesn't most of the time.

Our pets - dogs and cats mostly - are domesticated - and can't really be classed with the animals we see in zoos or preserves and parks. I really believe that they are happy and safest where they are.

Many places for the "wild" animals now are so much more suited than the zoo environment. They have acres upon acres to run free and safely be enclosed within the confines of a given area, and people can ride thru and view them in a more natural setting, and they can be maintained to be healthy and well adjusted at the same time.

However - how do you give a mammoth creature like a killer whale a safe and comfortable place to live in confinement?? I don't believe it's possible, and it should never be done. Man is sacrificing this animal's health and well being for their own pleasures, and in turn he must be ready to suffer the consequences that will, and have already, come with it.

[lizbud]

However - how do you give a mammoth creature like a killer whale a safe and comfortable place to live in confinement?? I don't believe it's possible, and it should never be done. Man is sacrificing this animal's health and well being for their own pleasures, and in turn he must be ready to suffer the consequences that will, and have already, come with it.

This idea is a reality now. From the article Grace posted. We should
probably keep the whales in coastal Sanctuaries described here. A much
better enviroment for them.


"Tilikum has spent more than a quarter of a century swimming in circles, in a space that critics say would be equivalent to keeping a human being in a bathtub. Would you get resentful, angry, maybe even a little rageful and psychotic if you were kept in a bathtub-sized tank forced to swim in circles for more than 25 years?

The time has come to free Tilikum. Brazil and Chile are just two countries that have created huge coastal sanctuaries, some running thousands of miles, where whales like Tilikum can return to an active life, one in which they can frolic and explore. This is how nature intended these creatures to live. "

[Catlady711]

Just saw on the news yesterday that one of the trainers sisters is a dentist.

She used to work for my dentist at one time and did one of my fillings a few years ago. Dr. Frogameni was a very nice lady, my sympathies to her and the rest of the family.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?se...rld&id=7297588

[pomtzu]

This idea is a reality now. From the article Grace posted. We should
probably keep the whales in coastal Sanctuaries described here. A much
better enviroment for them.


"Tilikum has spent more than a quarter of a century swimming in circles, in a space that critics say would be equivalent to keeping a human being in a bathtub. Would you get resentful, angry, maybe even a little rageful and psychotic if you were kept in a bathtub-sized tank forced to swim in circles for more than 25 years?

The time has come to free Tilikum. Brazil and Chile are just two countries that have created huge coastal sanctuaries, some running thousands of miles, where whales like Tilikum can return to an active life, one in which they can frolic and explore. This is how nature intended these creatures to live. "

Yes - I understand that there are coastal sanctuaries, and that is all well and good. However what I was referring to, is the confinement of the animals in a park setting, where people come to see them perform. There is no safe and humane way to do this, and unfortunately, these animals will probably continue to be exploited for the almighty dollar that they bring in to these parks.

[lizbud]

Yes - I understand that there are coastal sanctuaries, and that is all well and good. However what I was referring to, is the confinement of the animals in a park setting, where people come to see them perform. There is no safe and humane way to do this, and unfortunately, these animals will probably continue to be exploited for the almighty dollar that they bring in to these parks.

You are absolutely right.


ps. A similar case could be made for the elephants in zoos. A horrible situation for these animals.

[Kalei]

Has anyone actually seen the video of this poor woman being killed? It sounds like some of you have, but I can't find the video of it anywhere.

[pomtzu]

Has anyone actually seen the video of this poor woman being killed? It sounds like some of you have, but I can't find the video of it anywhere.

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.........

[RICHARD]

Even with 'protected areas/viewing areas'?

Here in So Cal you can do this

http://www.newportwhales.com/

Interesting? But how many rules are borken an other animals impacted by people running boats across migration lanes?

There is a 'buffer zone/rules' that forbid contact or ships with a certain number of feet, but how can you impress that upon a whale, dolphin or sea lion.

Then you have the sea lions here in So Cal.

http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jun...l/me-sealions6

We protect them and they literally poop on us.

[pomtzu]

You are absolutely right.


ps. A similar case could be made for the elephants in zoos. A horrible situation for these animals.

Yes I was thinking of the elephants too. Even tho the zoo setting is far from ideal, and they would do better to be homed in a preserve, it still beats the circus elephant's life. IMO - it should be illegal to have elephant circus acts. Those great creatures are some of the most abused animals today - and at the hands of their trainers!

[Asiel]

Yes - I understand that there are coastal sanctuaries, and that is all well and good. However what I was referring to, is the confinement of the animals in a park setting, where people come to see them perform. There is no safe and humane way to do this, and unfortunately, these animals will probably continue to be exploited for the almighty dollar that they bring in to these parks.

I have to agree that the confining animals or sea mammals is absolutely wrong. Even unjured they should be left where they are and let nature take it's course. How many times do we see aquariums with fish and admire them, but in reality many people have no clue as what species can be kept with other species, they have no knowledge of the room these fish need and sometimes overstock the tanks, then there's the pumps and oxygen to consider, cleaning, just so many other things to get educated about. I love to watch fish in aquariums but could never devote the time and attention needed to keep them healthy and alive.
I'm hoping the whale will be turned over to a sanctuary and not just dumped back into the ocean to a certain death. I couldn't watch the whole video, not something you want to see.

[Daisy and Delilah]

This morning, I heard the Sea World people have the film of the attack. They said they are givng it to investigators to help with the case.

There are some amateur films out there but I'm not sure if they are of the actual attack.

[phesina]

This idea is a reality now. From the article Grace posted. We should
probably keep the whales in coastal Sanctuaries described here. A much
better enviroment for them.


"Tilikum has spent more than a quarter of a century swimming in circles, in a space that critics say would be equivalent to keeping a human being in a bathtub. Would you get resentful, angry, maybe even a little rageful and psychotic if you were kept in a bathtub-sized tank forced to swim in circles for more than 25 years?

The time has come to free Tilikum. Brazil and Chile are just two countries that have created huge coastal sanctuaries, some running thousands of miles, where whales like Tilikum can return to an active life, one in which they can frolic and explore. This is how nature intended these creatures to live. "

Could Tilikum be brought to one of these sanctuaries, to live out the rest of his life as a whale like him should?

[lizbud]

Could Tilikum be brought to one of these sanctuaries, to live out the rest of his life as a whale like him should?

Yes, it could be done, but it won't likely happen. It all comes down to
$$$$$. I doubt sea world would ever part with their money maker.

[pomtzu]

Yes, it could be done, but it won't likely happen. It all comes down to
$$$$$. I doubt sea world would ever part with their money maker.

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!