SeaWorld's Response to "The Cove"

[gkrykewy]

I have read the article. The reason we have decided has more to do with the fact we aren't happy with dolphins being held in the first place. We both feel they are too inteligent / quite possibly sentient to some extent.

Sentient to some extent? I think it's pretty clear that they're more intelligent than a large percentage of people

 

[makelab]

It sounds like they make a lot of money by selling them for their meat because it's so popular in that country. Also, if they didn't make a considerable amount of money from it wouldn't they just let the other dolphins go? Again, I haven't seen the movie so I don't know the whole story, but from what I heard it sounds like Sea World saves the dolphins from being killed by buying them.

from what the filmmakers said, dolphin meat is not popular at all in japan. i think the message there was that they are selling dolphin meat, which is loaded with toxic amounts of mercury, as other types of meat. hence, the local government of taiji is committing an atrocious fraud, and poisoning the people of japan. don't let the subject matter keep you from watching. yes, it is extremely emotional, but that is usually what spurs people to take action. think about it, the filmmakers dedicated their time, resources, and to a certain extent, their freedom to get the footage, make the film, and inform people about what is going on.

to a small extent, i guess the organizations buying dolphins are saving them from slaughter, and that adds to the debate.

imo, i love observing all kinds of animals in their natural habitats, and i have seen them all over the world. it hasn't cost me that much - blu-ray player, planet earth/blue planet box set, sony 1080p sxrd projector, pioneer elite receiver.......ok, it has cost me a lot, but worth every penny, and has made me appreciate wildlife conservation organizations and our own environment more than i ever thought i would have.

 

[Justin Jett]

That was an unbiased story there hu, not that the facts were inaccurate, but there sure was a lot of emotion.

Sorry, just went and re-read and noticed it was on PETA's website.....

I agree with Don. While taking the facts into account, it is also important to consider the source. Same goes for "The Cove."

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hello Everyone, I knew we were having this debate on the boards, and there were some questions on the show about where SeaWorld's animals come from. Therefore, I tried to do some digging to find out. You can see it on the blog that was just posted yesterday.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/05/08/us-congress-questions-seaworld%E2%80%99s-educational-value/

Also, I asked SeaWorld Orlando to respond to some questions I had. Fred Jacobs, Senior VP of Communications was very responsive. There was an interesting quote that I didn't use in the article, but I thought was relevant to the conversation here.

From Fred Jacobs: By the way, Ric O'Barry and Louie Psihoyos deserve some credit for trying to put a stop to the Japanese drive fishery, but they so consistently trade in misinformation about marine mammal parks that are damaging their own credibility. Last week Oprah Winfrey asked Ric O'Barry point blank if animals from the drive fishery enter U.S. marine parks today. He said, "Yes." That is a lie, pure and simple. And he knows it. Bringing a drive fishery animal into the U.S. would be a violation of federal law. He knows that too.

 

[DizMom11]

I think that this helps to reinforce my previous post

http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/05/08/us-congress-questions-seaworld’s-educational-value/

 

[dpuck1998]

I think that this helps to reinforce my previous post

http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/05/08/us-congress-questions-seaworld’s-educational-value/

I'm not sure how this reinforces the statement from PETA? Congress is simply jumping on the media hype. They asked a few questions which based on that blog, seem to have been answered very well by SeaWorld and others. If anything I'd say it goes almost the other way and reinforces what SeaWorld has been saying all along.

 

[DizMom11]

I side with the voiceless, helpless. If the animals had a choice, what would it be?

Do The Shows Have Educational Value?
“Entertainment is not a dirty word,” points out veterinarian Dr. Rae Stone of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and “entertainment enables effective education.” Undeniably, amusement park entertainment shows draw in visitors that are then exposed to education and conservation programs. However, Psihoyos, director of The Cove, argues “the ethics of riding atop a wild animal in a spandex suit with loud music blaring cannot be reconciled under the banner of education.” Psihoyos believes we cannot understand the behavior of the animals in the wild by watching them perform “circus-like” shows. As much as I enjoy the shows at SeaWorld, a part of Psihoyos argument resonated with me. Are we truly respecting these magnificent animals by having them perform tricks in shows?

An excerpt from http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/05/08/us-congress-questions-seaworld’s-educational-value/

 

[safetymom]

We were discussing this tonight and I feel there needs to be a third and maybe fourth side to this argument. I don't think because The Cove says it that it necessarily is true. I need to do more research.

I personally think after my visit to SW the other day that Sea World is doing a good job at educating people about these wild creatures. I am glad to see that they will be playing a part in the rescue of the animals involved in the oil spill. I think for the time being we need to give Sea World the room they need to perform the rescues.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I think that this helps to reinforce my previous post

http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/05/08/us-congress-questions-seaworld’s-educational-value/

I side with the voiceless, helpless. If the animals had a choice, what would it be?

Do The Shows Have Educational Value?
“Entertainment is not a dirty word,” points out veterinarian Dr. Rae Stone of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and “entertainment enables effective education.” Undeniably, amusement park entertainment shows draw in visitors that are then exposed to education and conservation programs. However, Psihoyos, director of The Cove, argues “the ethics of riding atop a wild animal in a spandex suit with loud music blaring cannot be reconciled under the banner of education.” Psihoyos believes we cannot understand the behavior of the animals in the wild by watching them perform “circus-like” shows. As much as I enjoy the shows at SeaWorld, a part of Psihoyos argument resonated with me. Are we truly respecting these magnificent animals by having them perform tricks in shows?

An excerpt from http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/05/08/us-congress-questions-seaworld’s-educational-value/

Good Morning Everyone: DizMom11, thanks for reading the blog. However, I found it interesting you highlighted only one side of the argument, the part where I included the quote from the director of the Cove. I tried very hard to present a balanced article, presenting both sides of the argument.

Yes, it's true I said in the article that I struggle with the educational value of the shows, but I also spent a lot of time in the article talking about SeaWorld's conservation efforts. I truly believe that SeaWorld contributes a lot to animal conservation, and the section prior to the one you highlighted talked about how their conservation programs should be considered alongside their education programs.

Again, I think SeaWorld deserves much credit for all the work they do with animal conservation.

 

[dpuck1998]

Good Morning Everyone: DizMom11, thanks for reading the blog. However, I found it interesting you highlighted only one side of the argument, the part where I included the quote from the director of the Cove. I tried very hard to present a balanced article, presenting both sides of the argument.

Yes, it's true I said in the article that I struggle with the educational value of the shows, but I also spent a lot of time in the article talking about SeaWorld's conservation efforts. I truly believe that SeaWorld contributes a lot to animal conservation, and the section prior to the one you highlighted talked about how their conservation programs should be considered alongside their education programs.

Again, I think SeaWorld deserves much credit for all the work they do with animal conservation.

I keep trying to step away from this thread, but get sucked back in. Thanks for making that point Dave. I have yet to see any reasonable arguments that SeaWorld/other parks are doing anything wrong. The complaint about the animals "wanting" to perform doesn't hold water for me. None of us know what these animals want to do. All of the complaints arise from people/companies that already have thier minds made up and then they use little tidbits of true info, but without any corroborating evidence or the full story.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Everyone has a cause they think is important. Some people think this issue is very important, and others couldn't care less. It doesn't mean either side is right or wrong. My opinion...............fish taste delicious!

 

[aGoofyMom]

I have been avoiding this as I plan to completely enjoy my "SeaWorld" trip this week. I will be visiting Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens.

I choose to go to SeaWorld Parks because of the fun way they educate about the animals, the way they truly care about the animals. I have done some tours and have seen the animal rescue equipment, (from a distance) manatees recovering backstage so they can be released with as little human contact as possible, and even a dolphin retirement tank.
We have a "marine park" a lot closer to home that I will not support. That park does NOT belong to WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), does nothing to educate visitors and I really don't believe they care for their animals adequately.
SeaWorld, and the other zoos I choose to visit DO belong to WAZA and are committed to providing proper care to their animals.

I have watched The Cove, and was just as disturbed by it as the filmmakers intended. Watching a documentary that was designed to disturb me does not sway my opinion.
While the activists are making some headway, I do wonder what their long term goals/plans are. If we free all the animals in captivity where do they go? How long will they survive?
I would like to see some positive changes in the fisheries and marine hunting world wide. These changes also have to come with long term plans for sustaining the animal life, the environment, and yes, even people.

Thanks to Dave for the great blog. Thank you Don for be well spoken on this issue. And I would also like to say thank you to everyone here that I may not have agreed with. All of this debate DID send me off to research my upcoming trip a little more.

I will be looking for spots to donate what I can to the Seaworld conservation/animal rescue efforts in light of the monumental task that lies ahead in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

[dpuck1998]

I have been avoiding this as I plan to completely enjoy my "SeaWorld" trip this week. I will be visiting Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens.

I choose to go to SeaWorld Parks because of the fun way they educate about the animals, the way they truly care about the animals. I have done some tours and have seen the animal rescue equipment, (from a distance) manatees recovering backstage so they can be released with as little human contact as possible, and even a dolphin retirement tank.
We have a "marine park" a lot closer to home that I will not support. That park does NOT belong to WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), does nothing to educate visitors and I really don't believe they care for their animals adequately.
SeaWorld, and the other zoos I choose to visit DO belong to WAZA and are committed to providing proper care to their animals.

I have watched The Cove, and was just as disturbed by it as the filmmakers intended. Watching a documentary that was designed to disturb me does not sway my opinion.
While the activists are making some headway, I do wonder what their long term goals/plans are. If we free all the animals in captivity where do they go? How long will they survive?
I would like to see some positive changes in the fisheries and marine hunting world wide. These changes also have to come with long term plans for sustaining the animal life, the environment, and yes, even people.

Thanks to Dave for the great blog. Thank you Don for be well spoken on this issue. And I would also like to say thank you to everyone here that I may not have agreed with. All of this debate DID send me off to research my upcoming trip a little more.

I will be looking for spots to donate what I can to the Seaworld conservation/animal rescue efforts in light of the monumental task that lies ahead in the Gulf of Mexico.

Thank you Donna! I'm actually very impressed that we have been able to keep such a hot topic professional and friendly. Bravo to all involved.

 

[lugnut33]

I love dolphins, they're delicious!!

Oh settle down, I'm kidding.

You know what concerns me more than dolphins at Sea World? The gushing of millions of gallons of oil into where not only dolphins live but thousands of other species. More aquatic life has died already due to the oil than probably all the dolphin hunts Japan has ever done.

A few dolphins or whales doing some tricks at Sea World doesn't really catch my attention as a bad thing.

 

[challer]

Everyone is going to draw their own line to determine what is acceptable and what is not. While I feel that I've seen enough of Sea World to spend any of my money there, I acknowledge that there are many shades of grey and everyone can see it differently. Some of the issues that I have grappled with:

• Even if SW breeds its own creatures, these are whales and dolphins living their entire (shortened) lives in concrete tanks that could never be released to the wild. For what? Our applause. And our credit cards.
• Even if SW doesn't take captured dolphins, the success of the park has spawned off more similar parks all around the globe that don't have the funds or moral imperative to do the right thing.
• From my own experience, my children always get more of an educational and emotional experience from seeing animals in their natural habitat, rather than seeing shows of animal tricks between rides and popcorn breaks.
• If nobody went to the Bronx Zoo or the Brooklyn Aquarium, the Wildlife Conservation Society would still do its good work (of course, they would need to find additional funding). If nobody went to Sea World, I firmly believe it would shut its doors and wildlife programs. It is primarily a theme park - any good they do for animals or habitats is secondary to that.
• While I acknowledge that O'Barry and PETA have huge bias and their word is not gospel, I also understand that Sea World has its PR machine that will do its best to make itself look rosy as well.
• I know I am not the majority - I make it a priority (including planning my vacations) to experience wildlife and nature, and I feel it is extremely important that my children experience it as well. It is a value I want to instill in my own kids. It has always paid off. My children can tell you every detail of the whale watching excursions off the Seattle coast and the rescuing of sea turtle eggs in Mexico. I think they barely remember the Sesame play area at Sea World San Diego, let alone the educational "message." As someone who sees value in understanding and experiencing the natural world we live in, I find SW misses the mark.
• SW may be 100% in the right and be totally on the up & up, and I may be withholding my cash from their ticket booth for no reason. I would be happy to admit I had been wrong and follow that up with the purchase of an annual pass. However, as long as there is doubt in my mind, I maintain the right to wait and see.

That being said, I acknowledge the fact that SW does in fact to some laudable things, such as prepare themselves for the treatment of animals from the oil disaster. They are not evil incarnate. Again, shades of grey.

Just my thoughts.

 

[challer]

You know what concerns me more than dolphins at Sea World? The gushing of millions of gallons of oil into where not only dolphins live but thousands of other species. More aquatic life has died already due to the oil than probably all the dolphin hunts Japan has ever done.

A few dolphins or whales doing some tricks at Sea World doesn't really catch my attention as a bad thing.

However, the oil spill was a man made accident. (Debate the avoiding of safety regulations by BP, or the potential carelessness of safety procedures, if you'd like. Bottom line - they didn't want this to happen.) The dolphin hunts in Japan are no accident, nor is the intense attempt to cover it up by the fisherman and local government.

The oil spill is an ecological disaster of epic proportions. That doesn't mean those that purposely cause smaller scale atrocities against nature should get a pass.

 

[FireDancer]

That was an unbiased story there hu, not that the facts were inaccurate, but there sure was a lot of emotion.

Sorry, just went and re-read and noticed it was on PETA's website.....

Whenever a url shortener is used on a message board I always wonder what the person is hiding. Usually it is a biased source of one sort or another. Speaking of bias, I haven't seen The Cove and won't because I really don't care, but is it balanced or a biased movie pushing an anti-SeaWorld agenda?

Luckily we have this wonderful thing called the free market. If the consumer doesn't like what SeaWorld is doing with their animals they will not go. In response SeaWorld will make changes to their practices or go out of business. If we, the consumers, do go to their parks we are saying that we have no problems with their practices, or at least not a big enough problem to abstain from patronizing them. In the end the free market (providing it is allowed to actually be free) will dictate SeaWorld or anyone else's behavior. In the presence of competition (which SeaWorld has plenty of) and the absence of perfectly inelastic demand (which no one can claim with a straight face any product SeaWorld offers has) , the consumer (demand) can dictate supply with much greater certainty then the other way around.

Yay capitalism.

Personally I think that while SeaWorld isn't perfect they are balancing their commercial and conservation interests pretty well. There is no way they can support the later without also doing the former. Just my humble opinion of course, not saying anyone else should share it.

 

[Joshua_me]

*sigh*

I'll say it again... IMO, animals are not here for our amusement.

Sea World exists to make money, pure and simple. Now, there's nothing wrong with that, but the problem I have is the various curtains they hide behind in explaining their existence.

This argument of Sea World being an "educational opportunity" doesn't ring true to me. Yes, some folks may learn a thing or two by visiting the park, but I'd wager that about 95 percent of people exit the park without knowing anything more than they did when they walked in.....

I can't think of a single thing one could learn at the park that couldn't be learned from books or the Internet. And books and the Internet don't involve keeping animals captive for fun and profit.

Orca's and dolphins are meant to live in the ocean, to roam free and communicate with nature in a way that mankind may never understand. To keep them in concrete boxes and train them to "blow kisses" at the applauding masses seems cruel and inhumane to me.

Why does man assume it's their right to study and understand every thing about every species ? Seems to me we have enough work to do concerning our own kind.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Movies like "The Cove" information from PETA prey on people's emotions. The people that create this propaganda know how to sway you with the most visually appauling scenes that they can find to further their cause. The movies creators want the visuals to be so striking that all the good that Seaworld, zoos etc. do for animals are forgotten or questioned.

PETA in particular uses bombs and bomb threats to prove their point. While working as a cancer researcher, I was forced to choose between evacuating a building because of a bomb threat (later to be discovered as originating from PETA), or lose approxinately 6 months worth of work, including work done on samples donated from patients that could never be duplicated. I probably foolishly decided to stay, but I now know that the research I did that day has now brought on a treatment for patients with cetain types of cancer.

I know it's hard to "unsee" these images, but their propaganda is rarely factual. Unfortunately, what starts out as a good thing (protecting animals), ends up in fanatacism by a select few.

 

[tutter99]

There is no black and white answer to the issue of animals being on display. Our actions can range anywhere between we go about what we want to do on this planet and if they get in the way too bad for them, to we cannot do anything that encroaches on their daily lives and habitats. The happy medium seems to be allow some to be studied in the wild, others to be studied in captivity, and others to be in interactive environments.

Everyone on this thread is correct in one way or another. Whale watching trips are great but there are activist groups that argue that even getting that close is a huge endangerment. No one knows how stressed out these animals really are or if they are happy preforming, maybe they are doing it just to get food or maybe they are doing it because they do really like the interaction and approval of the crowd, it's a little off topic but there are lots of stories of police dogs where the officer had to put off retirement because the dog got extremely depressed if it couldn't work anymore.

The educational benefit is something that only time will tell. You can't force a kid to go there and learn to love animals and want to protect them. But if one or two kids walks out of there a day and realizes they need to help make a change it is worth it. I saw it first hand with DS, at 3 years old he looked into the eyes of a manatee at Epcot and fell in love. It's been 2 years since that encounter and as more times passes he searches for more and more information on them. I truly believe this has sparked something that will stay with him his whole life, and this would not have happened if someone didn't put them "on display".