How do you feel about Sea World, ethically? Is AK better?

[mshanson3121]

DH just saw this morning that two more major lawsuits have been filed against Sea World. Basically claims about inadequate space for the orcas, drugging them, etc... Among other things. He isn't sure how he feels about giving them money to support such practices. I know there's been a lot of really negative claims. What are your thoughts?

On the flip side, is Animal Kingdom any different- I mean they're still holding animals in captivity. Or are their facilities better?

 

[DizDaD7]

DH just saw this morning that two more major lawsuits have been filed against Sea World. Basically claims about inadequate space for the orcas, drugging them, etc... Among other things. He isn't sure how he feels about giving them money to support such practices. I know there's been a lot of really negative claims. What are your thoughts?

On the flip side, is Animal Kingdom any different- I mean they're still holding animals in captivity. Or are their facilities better?

I can go on & on about the ethics & treatment of the animals, but I neither have the energy nor time....

But I can tell you I did visit Sea World on our honeymoon, & did enjoy it....Shamu even broke our video camera, with one big swoop of his/her tail...( Who would've thought I'd get wet being 20 rows back LoL ) Those were good times....It's the videos, & documentries that I've seen in the past 4 or 5 years, that are upsetting. This is the reason I will not return, nor endorse it...

One thing to add:
I love AK for what it is. Just a different type of park. Not a zoo, but just a plethera of different things to see & do, here.

 

[LaurenT]

I won't visit Sea World, though I have friends who do and I wouldn't give them a hard time about it. They've seen the documentaries and can make up their own minds. There are tons of injustices in this world, what the orcas are going through is one of them.
AK seems to be taking good care of their animals. They're living in adequate, predator free space, get good health care, proper food and aren't trained to perform for us. The exception being the Flights of Wonder Show - (and they are actually not Disney. It's a separate company contracted to do these shows and they have their own facilities behind the stage) - but there we are talking about birds, not mammals. And they are doing very limited tricks.... Maybe that's just me justifying ....

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

My personal opinion is that if you are going to boycott Sea World then you are hypocritical if you go to any place that keeps animals or has an animal show. That includes Epcot, since they have dolphins. Someone with the agenda to stop animals in captivity could probably find something at any place that has animals that could be construed as cruel or mistreatment. People have just chosen Sea World's orcas to focus on.

Until I see proof of mistreatment by an unbiased party I'm not going to stop going to places with animals, including Sea World.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I wonder how Disney has stayed under the radar regarding the dolphins at Epcot. That tank is horrible.

 

[gtpoohbear]

I will admit that I am a little uncomfortable with SW, b/c of some of the specific issues/lawsuits in recent years. Though I am by no means an expert. We did go in 2008 and enjoyed it, but I am not anxious to go back.

I have no problem with AK though, it is no different than any zoo (and better than most). Yes, animals are in captivity, but the keepers and trainers treat them very well and strive to give them a lifestyle that is as close to "natural" as possible.

I kind of consider animals in zoos (and AK) to be ambassadors. If there aren't some of their species that people can go see and feel a connection to, they aren't going to care about them or be willing to protect them (or their habitats.) So while I do feel a little bad about the ones in captivity, it is for the greater good, to raise awareness and ultimately cause more people to make choices that benefit the ones that are living in the wild.

 

[IrishNYC]

A marine biologist friend (who worked at Sea World Orlando)of mine puts zero credence in the recent Sea World documentaries. Take that as you will.

Generally, animals that are trained while in captivity would be unable to survive in the wild if they'd been released instead of trained, and most places that keep and train animals are doing plenty of good behind the scenes to ensure species survival.

 

[mshanson3121]

My personal opinion is that if you are going to boycott Sea World then you are hypocritical if you go to any place that keeps animals or has an animal show. That includes Epcot, since they have dolphins. Someone with the agenda to stop animals in captivity could probably find something at any place that has animals that could be construed as cruel or mistreatment. People have just chosen Sea World's orcas to focus on.

Until I see proof of mistreatment by an unbiased party I'm not going to stop going to places with animals, including Sea World.

Except that there ARE documented complaints by federal agencies, including the USDA.

 

[mshanson3121]

I wonder how Disney has stayed under the radar regarding the dolphins at Epcot. That tank is horrible.

I didn't know they had dolphins. Do they perform, or are they just there to look at?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I didn't know they had dolphins. Do they perform, or are they just there to look at?

They have private tours for $199. No shows like Seaworld though.

 

[mrsR123]

I'm a firm believer in the mission and work of accredited zoos. I do believe, though, that orcas are just too big to be kept in captivity.

Animal Kingdom has a fine record of maintaining it's accreditation. We visit every trip. I won't be back to Sea World though.

 

[EmilyS90]

I'm a firm believer in the mission and work of accredited zoos. I do believe, though, that orcas are just too big to be kept in captivity.

Animal Kingdom has a fine record of maintaining it's accreditation. We visit every trip. I won't be back to Sea World though.

I did find that they're apparently one of the worst zoos for elephants. But that kinda goes back large animals in captivity.

 

[DisneyFive]

We went in 2012 and loved it. Would go again, but hard to give up a Disney day.

Dan

 

[EmilyS90]

At the very least, Animal Kingdom doesn't do performances on the scale that Sea World does. A PP mentioned the flights of wonder but that's all I've heard of. It seems that most places are turning away from using animals in shows (Ringling for example). Maybe Sea World will finally follow suit. I understand that they can't release those animals into the wild. But retiring them from further performances seems to be the best route.

 

[mshanson3121]

Yes, guess I wasn't thinking about AK not doing shows, that's a big difference

 

[saraschoening]

I won't visit Seaworld. Don't get me wrong I am sure that those animals are so very loved and cared for so well by the trainers but they are in a swimming pool. Orcas are too big to be kept in captivity and the pool looks nothing like the ocean. Also the fact that they take their babies from them.. can't go there in my mind.. makes me sad. But like I said I know that those trainers love them but that doesn't make it better. AK is a little different, yes they are still in captivity but the land to animal size ratio is a lot bigger and the AK environment is similar to the environment where the animals come from... its not like they are sitting in a concrete cage. They also don't perform. The pools at Seaworld are just that.. pools, they don't look like the Ocean at all. I don't believe a lot of what I see in Documentaries but there are some facts.. people have died... thats not a lie. agree with a PP that said that the whales wouldn't survive if released so why not make this the last. No more breeding. I live on Vancouver Island and see whales all the time in the ocean and they are so beautiful and to see them in their pods.. they love eachother. I could never pay money to watch them do tricks for me. Just my personal opinion. I do think that Seaworld has probably inspired many people to become Marine Biologists which is wonderful. Also Seaworld helps a lot of animals as well but the whales.. I just can't support it.

 

[mshanson3121]

I did find that they're apparently one of the worst zoos for elephants. But that kinda goes back large animals in captivity.

I looked this up. Turns out it has nothing to do withtheir treatment or how they're kept, but because 2 died after being transferred to another facility. However I do say that since it was Disney's choice to transfer them, they're just blaming them for their death evenot though it didn't happen on their property

 

[maxiesmom]

I wonder how Disney has stayed under the radar regarding the dolphins at Epcot. That tank is horrible.

What is the basis for your claim the tank is horrible?

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We've been at FoW when the bird didn't do the trick - they just don't get the treat. It's not a trauma and the bird (as far as I can tell) isn't punished in any way. Animals at AK all have on stage areas and off stage areas - they can choose where they are. The keepers do make the on stage (visible to people) areas more appealing with food etc but if you are an animal and you want to go hide in an offstage area (behind a bush or whatever) you are free to do so. To me that does put AK head and shoulders above SeaWorld

SeaWorld can maintain that a lot of their animals wouldn't survive in the wild but let's face it - many of them were captured (in the wild) with the express purpose of being sold to be some form of 'entertainment' at SeaWorld or somewhere else.

 

[Puffy2]

I've seen the documenary Blackfish and I encourage everyone to do so.

Before I knew about whales and the controversary, I visited Sea World on a few occasions. The park is my least favorite of all in Orlando, controversy aside.

After viewing the film, I'll probably never go back. I personally think they should close the whale exibit/show. They are very intelligent animals and it is shameful to keep them in the stressful (and confined) environment in which they live. Seaworld also knowingly it putting their trainers at risk, at least based on the documentary. That can be debated all anyone wants, but for me, I won't be going back until something changes there.

As far as Animal Kingdom, from what I can tell the animals there live in a more open environment. I personally think Epcot should not be in the dolphin business at all.