SeaWorld-Ethical Question ??

[rickhasco]

Hi.
We're hopefully going to Orlando again in December. We 1st went in 2003 and I specifically avoided SeaWorld and Discovery Cove because of the "animals in captivity" issue. Maybe it's watching "Free Willy" too often or also that I've swam with Dolphins in the Sea in their natural environment as opposed to a "manufactured" Lagoon.
I understand the Conservation whilst in captivity versus Extinction debate so am considering going to visit this time.
However, I've looked at SeaWorld's website and unless I'm looking in wrong place, cannot see any literature to reassure me ??
What are others thoughts ??

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Ultimately how you see this is a personal thing, everyone has their own opinions.

Having visited Sea World many times I know for sure they do an awful lot for the well being of the likes of Manatees, their programmes have saved the lives of many of these over the years and play a large part in saving them from extinction.
It is also a very educational park and there is information on view at all the attractions on the various threats these creatues have to endure in their natural habitat.
They do pay special attention to the way they are looked after also, the Penguin's environment at the parks changes according to the natural yearly cycle and climate.

There are aspects of Discovery Cove that personally I am not all that keen on, I don't think Dolphins should have to pull people along in the water for example.

It's a difficult subject, and again one that will get a number of differening views, at the end of the day we all have our own opinions, but I know for a fact SW have saved many creatures lives over the years and in many instances return them back to their natural habitat - however, there is no point in returning them if they will not survive.

Using their experiences in an educational way is a good way of bringing awareness to people.

 

[wayneg]

Agree with Johnny again(doing too much of that recently )

There are little things I don't like, for example the walrus in Wild Arctic has been doing the same repetative movement for as long as we have been visiting him, he just goes round and round the same course over and over again. Obviously should not be in there but too late to do anything for it now.
On the whole I think SeaWorld and Busch do more good than harm for the animals. We just did a tour down at Busch last week, hired a guide for the day he was from their education department, very interesting, told us about the animals they take around the schools to highlight the problems with extinction and the rainforests.
What you see in the parks is a front to bring in money, behind the scenes I hope they are doing as much as what they make out to be doing.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Agree with Johnny again(doing too much of that recently )

Nothing wrong with that mate - if we agree on something we are usually right.

 

[Goofyish]

Chech out this website:

http://www.seaworld.org/

 

[Graeme]

I think it all comes down to how you feel about it. All the literature in the world wont help if you still feel uncomfortable looking at it. The walrus example of Wayne's sums it up perfectly.

Anyway, how ethical is it to train otters to steal things?

 

[Girlsontour]

Don't forget the polar bear, who also has the same track that he follows over and over again. I never visit zoo's in this country and do feel slightly guilty when visiting Sea World and DC but i have never admitted this to my family as they seem to enjoy both places...who knows, perhaps they feel the same as me, but just don't want to say anything. I think that the information that Lucy has learnt from Sea World is excellent and far more "hands on" than any amount of teaching in a classroom could provide.

By the way , I have just asked eldest daughter what she thinks about Sea World...she thinks that the animals are loved and couldn't be forced to do anything that they didn't want (probably meaning Shamu show).... she doesn't like the walrus and polar bear bit...see, i should have spoken up before!!

 

[disneyholic family]

we went to sea world once and felt very uncomfortable for this reason...(animals in captivity being "forced" to perform, etc.)
so we haven't been back since....

but it's not as if i think any less of anyone who does go and enjoy it..
it's just that we felt uncomfortable so we don't go...

 

[Goofyish]

I don't think the animals are ever 'forced' to perform. If an animal doesn't want to do something it won't (especially if you are the size of a killer whale).

We were actually at Seaworld once and the Shamu show was cancelled because he didn't want to come out and perform.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

All of the animals at Sea World (and Animal Kingdom) are in the union and are well-paid.

BobK/Orlando

 

[wayneg]

All of the animals at Sea World (and Animal Kingdom) are in the union and are well-paid.

BobK/Orlando

Thats good to know. We don't need to tip them then

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Then again, taking that line, should you go near Disney World (Animal kingdom, The Tiki House, Country bears jamboree, that poor mouse,) Bush Gardens, Gatorland, Universal studios (Cat in a hat for heavens sake!!)
And don't forget all those yummy restarants which serve captivity meat and fish. Only food you can eat is what you have captured yourself and skinned, meat, fish and of course vegetables, the ultimate bred in captivity food.

Then agsin, what about the destruction of the planet by flying to Orlando?.

 

[disneyholic family]

Thats good to know. We don't need to tip them then

if no tip, perhaps they'd like a gift?.. a fish?...

there are places around the world, where sea mammals live in semi-captivity...maintaining their family groups, with the freedom to go out to sea and return, and are not trained at all to perform (they do perform sometimes because they enjoy the interaction with humans, but they are not specifically trained to perform)...

when you see a place like that, you realise the difference from a place like seaworld...

but again, i have no real problem with sea world....we personally were uncomfortable there...but i would never campaign to shut it down or something like that....they are very good to their animals and take very good care of them..

 

[disneyholic family]

Then again, taking that line, should you go near Disney World (Animal kingdom, The Tiki House, Country bears jamboree, that poor mouse,) Bush Gardens, Gatorland, Universal studios (Cat in a hat for heavens sake!!)
And don't forget all those yummy restarants which serve captivity meat and fish. Only food you can eat is what you have captured yourself and skinned, meat, fish and of course vegetables, the ultimate bred in captivity food.

Then agsin, what about the destruction of the planet by flying to Orlando?.

that's so true.....it's unbelievably cruel for those bears to have been nailed down to the stage all these years...
and the birds since when?....1982.....isn't there a law against that?????

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

that's so true.....it's unbelievably cruel for those bears to have been nailed down to the stage all these years...
and the birds since when?....1982.....isn't there a law against that?????

And what about Barney, the only living dinasour, expected to perform every half and hour day in day out.........

 

[wicket2005]

Another side of it, is that it does allow people to see animals that they would probably never see which may help more people understand about animals and their needs.

Shamu and company certainly only perform if they want to. We were at a show once and the 3 whales were having none of it. They were supposed to be performing the new Believe Show instead of the Shamu Rocks America show. The latter show was a lot better in my opinion and it seems the whales agreed to because a similar show is now back on, on an evening.

Totally agree about the walrus and polar bears. These creatures certainly do not look happy.

 

[disneyholic family]

And what about Barney, the only living dinasour, expected to perform every half and hour day in day out.........

 

[Alibaba]

Hiya
I once asked one of the Seaworld staff, the ones who give you info as you are walking past the Polar Bears etc that as soon as the Arctic ride thing shuts that the animals (Walrus, Polar Bear etc) go through to a larger pool area, and also in a couple of cases that there are actually 2-3 animals and they are on a rotation. So, although it is a bit cruel, it is slightly better (but who knows they may have been telling me fibs to ease my concience)
Thanks
Ali

 

[cazzie]

When we did our dolphin swim at DC our dolphin wasn't really interested and kept swimming off, the trainer told us that it's okay they never (or can't) force them to do something they don't want to do and let him do his own thing so we stayed a bit longer and they used another dolphin.

 

[DCDMarkyG]

I guess it's the same as anyone owning a dog, we domesticate and train with reward of food and praise. It's just a little unusual seeing a killer whale do the same thing, but no more unusual than riding a horse or using an elephant to fell trees. It's your personal opinion where you draw the line in captivating and training animals. If any of the animals were upset and wanted to have a large meal they would only need to open their mouths during the tricks!!
If there was any evidence of abuse of the animals at any of the parks it would be worldwide news and people would stay away for good.

Also would anyone love killer whales as much if the only time you saw them was on documentaries ? Conservation is pushed hard in the park and the message hammered home in all exhibits.

I'm of the opinion that if a captivated whale splashes a young child and inspires enough magic in the child to make a change later in life then it outweighs the moral dilemma.

We went in 2005 in a large group, all the kids views were changed and first thing on the xmas list each year is sponsor and whale or sponsor a dolphin.

When I read news in this country of cruelty to animals, I'm confident that the love and admiration that Seaworld gave my kid will ensure they never hurt an animal.