If you have seen Blackfish.....

[Jennygt]

If you have seen the movie Blackfish please take the poll.

 

[Jennygt]

ok how can I fix the spelling in the poll? I only seem to be able to fix the thread.

 

[Susiequsie60]

I'm NOT a jump-on-a-cause type of gal, however, this movie horrified me. I would NEVER give my money to SeaWorld or any other place like this again.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm NOT a jump-on-a-cause type of gal, however, this movie horrified me. I would NEVER give my money to SeaWorld or any other place like this again.

You need to read the response from Sea World before jumping on the anti-Sea World bandwagon: http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/seaworl...disney-updates+(Disney+Updates+-+wdwinfo.com)

 

[wiigirl]

Yes...it bothered me a bit...

 

[Susiequsie60]

Well, I did read it, but it absolutely does NOT change my mind. Did you watch the movie? Do you think that all of those people are being dishonest?

I'm not a vegetarian. Not a bleeding heart for animal rights. Nothing even close to any of that stuff.

However, I just can't rationalize such horrendous cruelty to animals strictly to make money for some and amusement for others. Is our entertainment really that important? I think it's horrible.

But, of course, just my opinion.

 

[cmwade77]

Relatively little about Sea World's animals is indeed about entertainment. Although, in recent years Sea World does seem to focus less on education than it once did.

But Sea World has made a great response to Blackfish, which is on wdwinfo at: http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/seaworld/SeaWorld_offers_response_to_Blackfish_film.htm

In addition to what Sea World's response states, what the film fails to mention is that most of the animals at Sea World were injured or stranded and are not able to be rehabilitated to the point that they would survive in the wild. Most of the animals that are able to be rehabilitated are returned to the wild.

 

[NancyIL]

Well, I did read it, but it absolutely does NOT change my mind. Did you watch the movie? Do you think that all of those people are being dishonest?

I'm not a vegetarian. Not a bleeding heart for animal rights. Nothing even close to any of that stuff.

However, I just can't rationalize such horrendous cruelty to animals strictly to make money for some and amusement for others. Is our entertainment really that important? I think it's horrible.

But, of course, just my opinion.

I didn't see the film, and I hadn't heard of it until a FL friend posted about it on Facebook yesterday. I got the DIS updates with the response from Sea World shortly after.

I have never been to Sea World and have no plans to visit in the near future. However, I also wouldn't be too quick to boycott Sea World or similar businesses based on a film.

 

[mrsclark]

A very detailed and lengthy discussion of Blackfish has been taking place on another thread. For those that are interested, the link is below:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3147382&highlight=blackfish

 

[sayhello]

I haven't seen Blackfish, and have no intentions of seeing it. Everything I have heard & read shows it as an extremely biased piece of propaganda with a very specific agenda. Why would I subject myself to that? I have every intention of continuing to go to zoos and to Sea World, and to support their amazing work in Conservation and Education.

Sayhello

 

[NancyIL]

I haven't seen Blackfish, and have no intentions of seeing it. Everything I have heard & read shows it as an extremely biased piece of propaganda with a very specific agenda. Why would I subject myself to that? I have every intention of continuing to go to zoos and to Sea World, and to support their amazing work in Conservation and Education.

Sayhello

Well said!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

ok how can I fix the spelling in the poll? I only seem to be able to fix the thread.

I fixed it for you.

 

[UConnFan]

In the three years since Dawn's death, we have again made significant changes at SeaWorld. We have altered how we care for, display and train these extraordinary animals. We have changed the facilities, equipment and procedures at our killer whale habitats. The care and educational presentation of these animals at SeaWorld has been made safer than ever before. Does Blackfish inform its viewers of that fact? No, it does not.

I found the film fascination and do not doubt the accuracy of some of the information. I take issue with the lack of up to date information, though. It's atrocious that these animals were kept in dark, small pens for 2/3 of their life, but are they still kept that way?

I like to think that the company has learned from its past mistakes and improved conditions for the animals and for the trainers. I also believe that the work they do is important and that thousands of children are inspired everyday to make their world better.

Things are never as black and white as they may seem.

 

[Jennygt]

I was very curious how people who saw the movie felt about going to seaworld. This seemed like a great place to do an unscientific poll on the effect of the film on seaworld. Did not want to get into a heated debate, I have my opinion and I know how it will effect my choices with seaworld going forward, interesting to see how the poll has worked out so far.

 

[Jennygt]

I fixed it for you.

Thanks!

 

[scottny]

I was planning on Sea World for December but after seeing the movie months ago I canceled the trip. I have seen it twice since and just find Sea World is hiding things and covering up.

The press release they put out is to cover for them but if you see the film there is really no covering for them.

I do credit them for the hurt animals they help and release but these tanks are not big enough for killer whales and they should be put in the ocean in a pen that is big enough for them. I doubt they could survive on their own now.

 

[kbelle8995]

I refuse to watch Blackfish. I do not like to see animals abused or mistreated. Do I think that Killer whales should be on show no. I also know that Sea World does much to assist in conservation of these animals including Killer Whales.

I hope that eventually Sea World will phase out the shows and just let us see the animals and make better tanks for them. But If I want to see Sea World in the future I will.

 

[Jennygt]

All I suggest is watch the film, read sea worlds response and make your choice to support sea world or not.

 

[stormtracker]

I watched the film and read Sea world's response with my family. We have decided that we will not return until Orcas are removed from the park. We are not members of PETA nor do we believe in a lot of things they do to get attention. These whales do not belong in small concrete pools simply for our amusement. If you have not seen the film please do.

 

[DLgal]

I am also not a "save X" type of person, but this film made me really angry at Sea World. I will not ever go there again until they no longer keep whales and dolphins to perform shows with. It's a sickening practice.

Their PR "response" was super weak. They basically ignored the topic of Orca captivity by tooting their conservation efforts. I don't give a flip how many turtles and sea birds you save...that doesn't excuse the long history of the Shamu show.

I last visited Sea World about 4 years ago. I felt really crappy during the orca and dolphin show. Thankfully, my kids didn't really enjoy it because I decided back then that I was done with Sea World. We went in for free through their military offer and I'm glad my money didn't go towards lining their pockets that day. This film showed a side of this business that I always suspected was true but never really got to see firsthand.

At the end of the movie, there is a disclaimer that Sea World REPEATEDLY declined to appear in the film or make any statements related to it. If they were given a chance to step up and be part of the film, why didn't they? Now Sea World is all "the film is showing an unfair portrayal of our programs." You had your chance Sea World. You should have made those statements to the camera when you were invited to do so.