Blackfish

[Ginger Renae]

Wild orcas were having a field day in the Monterey Bay!

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_24500417/killer-whales-put-unbelievable-show-monterey-bay

That is how they should be viewed...not performing circus tricks in a cement tank.

 

[lexandme]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

 

[Ginger Renae]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

I had planned on going whale watching this Saturday and hope that I would see some orca, but now I have a horrid head cold and spending hours on the frigid Monterey Bay is probably not the smartest idea...

 

[sandramaac]

There is no way that the current popluation can go back to the sea, for obvious reasons. I have a couple of thoughts on this:

---no more capture of animals from the wild--absolute stop to that

---these current captive animals (all sea mammals as well as zoo animals) do serve to educate to public (The Panda population was saved because how scientist there intervened). Many zoo's have gone to extreme means to replicate original habitats. . The same could be done for the current populations of whales and dolphins now in captivity. If seaworld would turn around and stop building nothing more than pools for these animals, and build huge,tanks that offered a somewhat more stimulating and larger enviroment, it would go a long way to helping these creature. And by large I mean huge!!!

---absolutely stopping the removal of captive babies from their mothers. Just a vile act


These are feeling, thinking creatures. The film Blackfish was excellent. But to think any of them will have a Free Willy moment will never happen. The impotant think now is how the current captive population is managed and help them. Anyone catch the film Blood Cove--yeah that is another one that really gets you.

 

[lexandme]

I had planned on going whale watching this Saturday and hope that I would see some orca, but now I have a horrid head cold and spending hours on the frigid Monterey Bay is probably not the smartest idea...

I really hope you feel better by Saturday. What a great opportunity!
If you do get to go, please let me know how wonderful it was

 

[julieannboo]

Tilikum will be playing another big performance tonight as Blackfish is being shown in the UK on BBC4 at 9pm.

We are right with you Tilikum and for all of the other captive whales past and present.

 

[HollyL]

Today is the 30th anniversary of when Tilikum was captured off of Iceland.

Wow...I guess I missed that. Poor Tilly, just a sweet innocent little boy when he was stolen from his family. My heart aches for him.

 

[HollyL]

There is no way that the current popluation can go back to the sea, for obvious reasons. I have a couple of thoughts on this:

---no more capture of animals from the wild--absolute stop to that

---these current captive animals (all sea mammals as well as zoo animals) do serve to educate to public (The Panda population was saved because how scientist there intervened). Many zoo's have gone to extreme means to replicate original habitats. . The same could be done for the current populations of whales and dolphins now in captivity. If seaworld would turn around and stop building nothing more than pools for these animals, and build huge,tanks that offered a somewhat more stimulating and larger enviroment, it would go a long way to helping these creature. And by large I mean huge!!!

---absolutely stopping the removal of captive babies from their mothers. Just a vile act


These are feeling, thinking creatures. The film Blackfish was excellent. But to think any of them will have a Free Willy moment will never happen. The impotant think now is how the current captive population is managed and help them. Anyone catch the film Blood Cove--yeah that is another one that really gets you.

Yes, "The Cove" if very eye opening. Those last 10 minutes of the film still haunt me.

I think there are a few orcas that could very well successfully be reunited with their original families in the wild. Researchers know for a fact who Lolita's family is. These families stay together for life, and it would be amazing to see something like this happen. If nothing else, at least let them retire to a seapen, so they can at least feel "home" before they die in a sad, lonely artifical tank.

For those orcas that were born in captivity, I agree, the best thing that can be done for them is allow them to live out their lives in much larger "tanks" that at least have enough room for them to swim and escape from other orcas they may not like. They need to stop milking Tilicum for his sperm, and they need to reunite all the mothers with their babies and not force any of them to perform stupid tricks.

Seaworld and other "abusement" parks owe them at least this much.

 

[Dolf]

Before I watched the film, I kept hearing about how it is an "agenda film", "animal rights film", "PETA driven". After watching the film, I felt it really wasn't so heavy on protecting animals, but protecting the workers with these animals. I thought it was going to be another one of those "save the whale films" that make me roll my eyes. On the contrary it seemed that the film was really going to bat for the unsafe work conditions that these trainers are in, incidents where they have been a result of injury or even death. SW does good work to help animals. However SW has a "corporate" side that I don't think is ill intended, but rather cares more about it's bottom line. The message that I saw was not that SW should release all their animals and shut their gates forever. What I got out of it is that SW should change some of its conditions for both the animals and the employees. Maybe animals should not swim with people. Dolphins probably drag as many people out to sea as they drag to land. Not saying that's true or not, animals can snap at any moment, or don't know what they're doing is wrong. When the whale dragged that trainer under the water, he probably thought that he was being playful. Just because something is done the same way for the 50 years doesn't mean that it's the right way, or the way it should be done just because it's tradition. I don't think the intent of the film is to take down SW, but to open a discussion that no one seems to be having. That said, I'm not boycotting SW because of this film. I just think it's too expensive. I'd rather go to Disney.

 

[lexandme]

It was announced yesterday the Blackstone Group will be selling off stock in Sea World. After the sale is complete they will no longer be a majority owner. They must know the tide is turning!

A pod of 44 Rissos dolphins were brutally slaughtered in the cove yesterday. They were butchered and the meat sent to market so unknowing Japanese citizens can eat the mercury laden toxic flesh. All hunting and banger boats are currently at sea hunting for more victims.

 

[jacksmomma]

While flipping through the channels Saturday morning I caught the opening credits of Jack Hanna's show. For those of you who see him as an unbiased opinion in these debates consider the following...the main sponsor of his show is SeaWorld.

 

[lexandme]

Last week Barenaked Ladies cancelled their concert at Sea World after viewing Blackfish. Just announced Willie Nelson has cancelled his as well. Artists with conscience and heart!
This is certainly good news for those of us that believe Sea World is doing more harm than good by keeping cetaceans captive!
Keep the conversation going and continue to educate others about the cruelty in these abusement parks.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Last week Barenaked Ladies cancelled their concert at Sea World after viewing Blackfish. Just announced Willie Nelson has cancelled his as well. Artists with conscience and heart! This is certainly good news for those of us that believe Sea World is doing more harm than good by keeping cetaceans captive! Keep the conversation going and continue to educate others about the cruelty in these abusement parks.

That is awesome!

 

[julieannboo]

Willie Nelson is the second act to cancel his gig at next year at Seaworld.

Change is beginning!

 

[lexandme]

There are currently petitions asking Cheap Trick and Heart to reconsider playing there as well. Petitions are at change.org.

The world is watching.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Willie Nelson said it was a scheduling conflict, not a protest of keeping animals in captivity. And he's pretty outspoken, so if his cancellation was due to something besides scheduling he would probably say it.

 

[lexandme]

Willie Nelson said it was a scheduling conflict, not a protest of keeping animals in captivity. And he's pretty outspoken, so if his cancellation was due to something besides scheduling he would probably say it.

Willie Nelson did not say it was a scheduling conflict. Nick Gollattscheck, a Sea World spokesman stated it was a scheduling conflict. Willie Nelson has not yet commented.
Willie Nelson is a big animal rights supporter. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before he makes a statement. I'm also sure he will say his decision was very much influenced by Blackfish and feedback from his fans and the public.

Sea World - The world continues to watch!

 

[lexandme]

Willie Nelson just confirmed the reason he cancelled is because he "doesn't like the way Sea World treats their animals so it wasn't a hard thing to do."

Thank you Willie for being a voice for those who cannot speak and continue to suffer in captivity.

 

[julieannboo]

Rock band Heart (Nancy Wilson) have cancelled next years gig at Seaworld.

That 3 acts now that have cancelled.

The long road to keeping killer whales in capitivity in America at least is beginning.

Magic.

 

[lexandme]

Sweet!