Boycott Discovery Cove and Sea World?

[timben]

Dear all,

I do not mean to be offensive but having seen parts of the documentary "The Cove" by Ric O'Barry and read some information about the captivity of sea mammals I really wonder if the visit of such a theme park really is morally right?

I really would love to swim with a dolphin and get in touch with these great animals but the more I think about it I am wondering if this is the right thing to do?

Are there any alternatives like dolphin watching in their natural habitat? What is your opinion on that?

Timben

 

[Frothy]

Forget the spin the documentary puts on this as its an old argument. SeaWorld has been responsible for saving animal lives by educating human beings about them.

 

[timben]

Sea World saved the animals from what? Their natural environment?

I really do not believe that the Anheuser Bush Company couldn't find any other place to save sea mammals than central Florida, far away from the real sea....

On the other hand what's educational about a dolphin or orca show?

Don't you think the only question remains is, if this form of entertainment can take care of the animals needs and if they are treated right?

 

[Frothy]

This might enlighten you

http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/rescue&rehab/home.html

 

[timben]

thank you.

I really do appreciate your effort and will read it as soon as I am out of work.
However is there also any "independent" documentation available?

 

[SunniKC]

SeaWorld doesn't obtain its animals in this manner http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4586918_sea-world-its-animals.html
There was a day when they did...but long before AB owned them.
Back in the later 70's and 80's our local amusement park used to have a dolphin show that was always packed full. I have no doubts they probably obtained their animals in this manner though. At least Seaworld has made efforts to have areas that at least look natural. These lived in a round concrete pool.

 

[sympatico]

No offense to anyone but why not let all the horses and cattle go. Ranches make the horses work, raise the cattle for food. Maybe the horses would like a break and be allowed to run free. And for that matter should you have a dog or a cat as a pet. How about a goldfish in a bowl. Aren't you limiting their freedom by keeping them in the house or on a leash. It may be argued that these are domestic animals but how did they get that way. They must have been wild/free at some time.
I'm not saying it's right or wrong just wondering "why stop with dolphins" ?

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

So take a boar ride and go see the dolphins in their natural environment.

To the others, I know their manatee program is wonderfully successful. M niece did an internship with them. During her stay many were brought in cut up, taken care of and released.

 

[timben]

So take a boar ride and go see the dolphins in their natural environment.

To the others, I know their manatee program is wonderfully successful. M niece did an internship with them. During her stay many were brought in cut up, taken care of and released.

Did I write anything wrong?

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Did I write anything wrong?

lol! Sorry, that would be a boat ride. You can get information at the welcome center.

 

[timben]

lol! Sorry, that would be a boat ride. You can get information at the welcome center.

I understood the boat ride - It just happens that I had the feeling my questions are felt inappropriate in some way.

I know that farms need horses for work and I do eat meat and I even have a cat at home. But that does not mean that I can not question the use of animals just for entertainment.

It costs a lot of money and of course I do not want to support a company that lives by exploiting the environment. That's all.

Thanks

timben

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Everyone is allowed their own outlook. If that is yours, have at it. Do not put your oney in a place you have issues with. Mine is a bit different since I know secondhand about the care that goes into some of their programs. It is all good.

 

[RabFlmom]

We live on the coast of Florida. The place that is called for injured or sick dolphins, whales, turtles, manatees, etc. that wash on shore or are swimming or floating aimlessly near shore or in the waterways is Sea World. You do not always see the animals they rescue and save. All do not become performers in their shows etc. They have a rescue, heal, and release program that saves more animals than you could ever imagine. The parks are not their only facilities for caring for these animals. If an animal cannot be returned to the wild they care for them and give them a place to live safely so they do not become food for predators in the ocean or starve because they can't get their own food any longer.

If you are uncomfortable seeing animals in captivity I suggest you boycot all homes with any type pet, also. Might get kind of lonely since almost everyone I know has a family member that is not human.

Proud to say that Harley Davidson(insert our last name) was a loved member of our family for almost 20 years and that our grand pup Chance is enjoying "his last chance" (adopted after being in pound for over a year and a half) being a loved member of our family now.

As for seeing dolphins in the wild, that is pretty easy thing to do, too. Just head to the east coast of Florida and stand near the Indian River for a while and you might actually get a glimpse of dolphins, manatees, shark, etc. swimming free. Same thing can be done at the beach, but usually farther off shore than in the river.

 

[RabFlmom]

Dear all,

I do not mean to be offensive but having seen parts of the documentary "The Cove" by Ric O'Barry and read some information about the captivity of sea mammals I really wonder if the visit of such a theme park really is morally right?

I really would love to swim with a dolphin and get in touch with these great animals but the more I think about it I am wondering if this is the right thing to do?

Are there any alternatives like dolphin watching in their natural habitat? What is your opinion on that?

Timben

Not to be cantankerous but curious why you would post about boycotting SW and Discovery Cove on a Disney site and not mention boycotting Disney because they also have animals and sea life in captivity for us to enjoy?

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Not to be cantankerous but curious why you would post about boycotting SW and Discovery Cove on a Disney site and not mention boycotting Disney because they also have animals and sea life in captivity for us to enjoy?

eta: remember when disney killed the indigenous birds on Discover Island?

 

[timben]

I can't see what is so about that question, as it is quite right to ask

 

[princessmom29]

Sea world rescues animals that woruld otherwise die and give them at least some quality of life. Why in the world would anyone want to boycott that??

 

[Brian Noble]

I love dolphins. They are very tasty.

My sense is that, on balance, Sea World is generally a responsible steward of the animals in their care. True, they profit on the backs of said animals, but so do a lot of other industries. Comparatively, Sea World is heaven on earth to a slaughterhouse, tannery, etc. etc. etc.

I would not support or take part in any boycott. But, don't take my word for it. Read all you can---but from both sides---and form your own opinion.

Edited to add: we did go on a dolphin cruise in the Sound when we were on the Outer Banks last summer. It was really fantastic. Well worth it if you find yourself in the area.

 

[timben]

Not to be cantankerous but curious why you would post about boycotting SW and Discovery Cove on a Disney site and not mention boycotting Disney because they also have animals and sea life in captivity for us to enjoy?

I do not see it cantakerous at all as you are quite right with your questions.
I was wondering the same when I first visited AK. But in some ways I think this solution of an animal exhibit (seems to me) better than an ordinary zoo. That said if it's true what Disney is telling us about.

I was just curious about any animal shows where the animals are doing things that are beyond their natural behaviour to entertain us. Do not get me wrong. I am not a greenpeace activist and I do not want to get rid of zoos. I was just questioning how much responsibility I am willing to take over.

Is also do not want to start any discussions about the difference between pet, horses, cows, and other animals as this clearly would go to far.

Maybe we see things a bit different here in Europe and as English is not my mother tongue I might have used the wrong expressions to make my point clear.

But thank you very much for your answers. I got an impression.

 

[timben]

Sea world rescues animals that woruld otherwise die and give them at least some quality of life. Why in the world would anyone want to boycott that??

As I mentioned in a previous post, English is not my mother tongue. I am sorry for that and maybe the word boycott is to strong.

Nothing against the rescue activities. I was only referring to use for entertainment and theme park shows.