Seaworld to visit or not to visit?!

[jennriggs]

Hi all, I was planning on visiting and taking our 2 year old. I have been a couple of times before and think he will love it. However I recently saw the blackfish documentary and now I'm not sure, do you believe it? Do you believe the orcas are treated well?! I cannot make my mind up and I'm not sure whether to go and enjoy or not go so
I'm not funding the cruelty?!?! What's your thoughts?!

 

[MinnieMe129]

We recently visited Sea World in San Antonio and I had the same thought....until I read the article in which Blackfish is based.

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/nature/The-Killer-in-the-Pool.html?page=all


Honestly, my personal thoughts, it's cruel to put ANY animal in captivity. But, we still have a zoo membership.... if you aren't going to Sea World this trip, you might as will skip Animal Kingdom as well.

We had a blast at Sea World, by the way.

 

[DOOM1001]

It's a great park,a must visit!!!

 

[Lisa71]

I live in ca and used to go all the time. I do think it is biased but it also had valid points. The dolphins swimming in circles so I could feed them..now I am sad for them. I am not anti-zoo but I will not give them my money. I think they are just not thinking of the best for the animals.

 

[karice2]

I always wanted to go to SeaWorld until I saw that documentary. Now my boyfriend says no way and I can't be bothered.

 

[kathy884]

SeaWorld is a wonderful park. I think you would all love it. I would go. If anything exposure to parks like this give people a love of animals and many who go into careers or volunteer work supporting animals developed their initial love at places like SeaWorld and zoos.

I've seen Blackfish (took my kids too and talked to them about it), and have always had mixed feelings about animal in captivity. It's always bothered me, but I still go to these kinds of places with my children who love all kinds of animals, especially marine mammals and fish. We go whale watching and things like that too, to see Orcas, humpbacks, etc. in the wild also. // But life is full of all kinds of hypocrisies -- think of the big carbon footprint my family does to get on a big plane, go some place remote to see animals in their natural habitat and feel more connected to nature.

I'm guessing that the movie is slanted to be anti SeaWorld and not totally balanced, just like 60 minutes shows lol. But I'm sure much of what is stated is true. As far as marine parks go, SeaWorld is probably the best of the best. But, of course, there is a question of whether marine parks, zoos, etc. should even exist at all.

Do you have problems with animals being raised for food? Are you a vegetarian? How to do you feel about domesticated animals as companions to people and those that work in the police force, military, and as disabled person companions? It wasn't their choice. What do you think about the conditions of animals at shelters, rescue facilities, etc? What about the recent poaching of some of the rare elephants in Africa for their tusks?

Do you contribute monies to animal charities? Are you an animal rights activist? Do you do volunteer work to improve the lives of animals? // I do care about the humane treatment of animals, but I care about the humane treatment of people even more, and there are lots of problems in that area too.

All I will say is that many people who I know who saw Blackfish, decided to boycott SeaWorld, and suggested that I do this too, to me seemed quite hypocritical. If you do decide to skip the park, though, you are not alone, and it's definitely your own personal decision/choice.

 

[Lisa71]

SeaWorld is a wonderful park. I think you would all love it. I would go. If anything exposure to parks like this give people a love of animals and many who go into careers or volunteer work supporting animals developed their initial love at places like SeaWorld and zoos.

I've seen Blackfish (took my kids too and talked to them about it), and have always had mixed feelings about animal in captivity. It's always bothered me, but I still go to these kinds of places with my children who love all kinds of animals, especially marine mammals and fish. We go whale watching and things like that too, to see Orcas, humpbacks, etc. in the wild also. // But life is full of all kinds of hypocrisies -- think of the big carbon footprint my family does to get on a big plane, go some place remote to see animals in their natural habitat and feel more connected to nature.

I'm guessing that the movie is slanted to be anti SeaWorld and not totally balanced, just like 60 minutes shows lol. But I'm sure much of what is stated is true. As far as marine parks go, SeaWorld is probably the best of the best. But, of course, there is a question of whether marine parks, zoos, etc. should even exist at all.

Do you have problems with animals being raised for food? Are you a vegetarian? How to do you feel about domesticated animals as companions to people and those that work in the police force, military, and as disabled person companions? It wasn't their choice. What do you think about the conditions of animals at shelters, rescue facilities, etc? What about the recent poaching of some of the rare elephants in Africa for their tusks?

Do you contribute monies to animal charities? Are you an animal rights activist? Do you do volunteer work to improve the lives of animals? // I do care about the humane treatment of animals, but I care about the humane treatment of people even more, and there are lots of problems in that area too.

All I will say is that many people who I know who saw Blackfish, decided to boycott SeaWorld, and suggested that I do this too, to me seemed quite hypocritical. If you do decide to skip the park, though, you are not alone, and it's definitely your own personal decision/choice.

Just my opinion here but it is not animals versus people to me. I am not vegetarian but do believe in the rights of all God's creatures and that those kept in captivity should be done in a humane way. I buy free range eggs certified humane for example whenever possible. No one is perfect but I also think the lack of concern for trainer safety (humans) was really bad and that is part of why I do not go. Our kids went once and did not really love it.

 

[ready2vacation]

We went on Monday with our 2 year old. She loved it! And actually, we did for the most part as well! We had been several times, but the first time where she knew where she was at. She really enjoyed the penguin ride and exhibit (the "mild" ride) - although, if you ride it, sit in the front section of the vehicle or he/she won't be able to see as well. She was fascinated by the dolphins and other animal exhibits. We skipped all shows because she just is not good at waiting or sitting for long periods yet.

She also loved the "kiddie" portion of the park. However, we had a terrible experience with the operator of the little train. She was HORRIBLE and had no business working with children.

We covered the whole park (minus shows) in about 3 hours or so. We paid 1/2 price admission for their weekday special ticket promotion they were having so we felt like we got our money's worth.

As far as the documentary, I haven't seen it, but it did cross my mind while I was there....but we kind of joked that the animals "seemed" happy...

 

[itchin2go]

I always wanted to go to SeaWorld. Then I saw Blackfish.

For me, it's off the table now, but that's a personal thing. I understand the documentary may have been slanted in places, but there are some uncontrovertable things that came to light, and I have trouble getting around them in my mind. I won't list them. I don't want to debate the movie or the issues raised in it. After I watched it, I did a little digging myself and verified some things that really bothered me. That's all.

I realize my refusal to visit won't help the animals already in captivity (most of them simply unlucky enough to be born in captivity). Maybe, in some small way, my choice will result in less animals (and less trainers) being in such an unfortunate situation. Also, I just can't stomach it.

Again, personal decision, personal choice. For me, I just couldn't have fun there, so why pay the $$$?

 

[Anita123]

I guess it comes down to whether Orcas are more important than other mammals. People seem very concerned about the conditions of the Orcas at Sea World since the documentary "Blackfish".

However, millions of mammals are kept in worse conditions and raised just so they can be murdered and eaten for the sake of palate pleasure.

 

[itchin2go]

I guess it comes down to whether Orcas are more important than other mammals. People seem very concerned about the conditions of the Orcas at Sea World since the documentary "Blackfish".

However, millions of mammals are kept in worse conditions and raised just so they can be murdered and eaten for the sake of palate pleasure.

True, but I still don't feel good about visiting SeaWorld given their policies and practices. I don't know how to feel better about that, just by thinking of other animals that suffer in the world.

There's so little that I have control over. Can I stop all animal suffering with a wave of my hand? Of course not. But I can control where my vacation dollar goes.

I think it's a fallacy to argue that people should feel free to go to SeaWorld (where animals arguably suffer), since just not going to SeaWorld won't stop all animal suffering. Heck, me deciding to vacation elsewhere won't stop any animal suffering, probably. But I think that's missing the point.

Again, please don't substitute my judgment for your own. Everyone is different. For me, I would be sad and disgusted the entire time I was there. If I'm in my right mind, why would I do that?

 

[itchin2go]

Also, animals aside ... THIS:

No one is perfect but I also think the lack of concern for trainer safety (humans) was really bad and that is part of why I do not go.

I feel like they threw their trainer under the bus (with lies) for the sake of continuing business as usual. I don't have any respect for that type of organization. For what it's worth, OSHA didn't seem to buy the story they were selling either.

 

[jennriggs]

Thank you all, a lot of the points you have raised are exactly why I'm confused about it all. I know my son would love it. I think the thing that gets me the most personally is the space the orcas have to live in. Also the fact they are not with their families. But then again there is a lot of animals in captivity across the world and are most likely in worse conditions than those at sea world. So is sea world actually treating the animals well? I was also thinking if they do finally set that rule that orcas are not allowed to be in captivity then this might be the only opportunity to see them again....but then is that very selfish of me to say that if they are not happy. I think most animals in captivity look like they have enough space, for me it's just the size of the orcas. I just don't know....

 

[mikehn]

I say skip it. I personally think a 2 year old is too young to enjoy the shows anyways. You can revisit this controversy when the child is a little older.

 

[seus-mouse]

It's a fun place and we've been going since the kids were being carried. Have fun. The shows are fun for young and old, in MY opinion.

Regarding the movie. There are very strict guidelines for a work to be considered a documentary. There is a big difference between a movie and a documentary. This is not a documentary, it is a movie.

 

[Ametista]

I guess it comes down to whether Orcas are more important than other mammals. People seem very concerned about the conditions of the Orcas at Sea World since the documentary "Blackfish".

However, millions of mammals are kept in worse conditions and raised just so they can be murdered and eaten for the sake of palate pleasure.

Exactly. Often people state they won't go to SW but they do go to AK, where a lot of magnificent animals are kept. I think most mammals are highly intelligent, and I have been vegetarian since 1985, but I still go to zoos and Seaworld. The Seaworld company does a LOT of really beneficial things for our planet and also as far as education for kids and adults.