If you went to Sea World as a kid

[game blouses]

You have to see Blackfish. It's a documentary about orcas in captivity, particularly the orca who killed the trainer in Orlando a few years back. It's absolutely gripping. 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Trailer:

[mrsgoontz]

This breaks my heart. Those poor whales.

[demelza]

Is this a movie that is out for dvd or instant streaming rental? How do I watch this, lol!

[game blouses]

Many of the people who they interview are former trainers, and it's fascinating to hear what they used to believe versus what they learned after the fact. There are parts of the documentary that are so sad, and there are parts that are truly harrowing. Honestly, after watching this and The Cove, I doubt I'll ever take my kids to Seaworld. And I went a lot as a kid!

[game blouses]

Aug 6, 2013 16:51:11 GMT -5 demelza said:

Is this a movie that is out for dvd or instant streaming rental? How do I watch this, lol!

It's starting to get wider release in theaters now. I think there might be a way to see it online, but I'm not sure, it might just be the UK.

[demelza]

Dang there is absolutely no cinemas near me showing this - I would have to drive more than 2hrs 30 minutes. But I want to see it now!!!

[game blouses]

Aug 6, 2013 16:58:57 GMT -5 demelza said:

Dang there is absolutely no cinemas near me showing this - I would have to drive more than 2hrs 30 minutes. But I want to see it now!!!

It looks like you can pre-order it on iTunes, and it will be released on August 26. Totally worth it!

[muffin0]

Aug 6, 2013 16:43:40 GMT -5 jillianashley6 said:

I saw the trailer a few weeks ago- it looks completely fascinating.

They made some comment about how the whales are suffering from psychosis -that when they are caught, they are "stored" in a small metal container, in the pitch black. My heart just broke hearing that. Those poor whales. :*(

I don't think they have caught a whale in a while. I think there may have been one but it was more of a rescue and it was determined that they couldn't return it to the wild. The rest have been born at the parks..(I'm not sure of the exact years/time frame)

I don't love that they are in captivity but they can't just release them into the wild. They would die quick. Like "willy" that ended horribly.

I know for a fact that the whales/animals at the parks are treated amazing. They eat better than most wealthy people.

I haven't seen the documentary but from the parts I know about its so full of false info. It's pretty ridiculous.

[catsarecute]

If you haven't seen The Cove, I recommend watching that as well. I was very "ho hum whatever" about it until I watched it and now I side-eye people who brag about swimming with dolphins and flipped off Sea World when I was in San Diego.

[pedanticwench]

I will not go to Sea World, the zoo, the circus or any other place that keeps wild animals in captivity for profit.

[BaliHai]

This will also be airing on CBS later in the year.

I've never been to SW and I never plan on going; several years ago now I began reading about marine mammals in captivity, and ever since I made the decision to no longer support venues that keep any animals for entertainment, unless they're accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (their accreditation process is pretty rigorous) - and even then I just really try not to go unless it's on some kind of a family outing. Anyway, I've only seen the trailer for this so far, and I've read innumerable articles about it, but it truly breaks my heart. The only silver lining is that SW is very obviously coming under fire now, for both this and for recently letting one of their whales remain stuck outside the pool for almost a half hour before two trainers were sent to push it back into the tank. I think it's been a dirty and cruel business for a long time, and I am glad they are being exposed.

[sangria]

Zoos are non profit organizations I thought? Or at least, they aren't just for turning a buck off the animals that live there.

Quite frankly, if we want any of our grand kids to be able to see many animals in real life, zoos are going to be the only option

I cried like a baby during the trailer for The Cove. It's horrifying the things that humans will do

[BaliHai]

Aug 6, 2013 17:07:47 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

Aug 6, 2013 16:43:40 GMT -5 jillianashley6 said:

I saw the trailer a few weeks ago- it looks completely fascinating.

They made some comment about how the whales are suffering from psychosis -that when they are caught, they are "stored" in a small metal container, in the pitch black. My heart just broke hearing that. Those poor whales. :*(

I don't think they have caught a whale in a while. I think there may have been one but it was more of a rescue and it was determined that they couldn't return it to the wild. The rest have been born at the parks..(I'm not sure of the exact years/time frame)

I don't love that they are in captivity but they can't just release them into the wild. They would die quick. Like "willy" that ended horribly.

I know for a fact that the whales/animals at the parks are treated amazing. They eat better than most wealthy people.

I haven't seen the documentary but from the parts I know about its so full of false info. It's pretty ridiculous

It really doesn't matter how they are fed - the fact of the matter is that these enormous marine mammals that travel up to hundreds of miles in one day are not only kept in tiny tanks, but separated from their families and suffer from drastically shortened lifespans (not to mention the numerous health problems that come with living in chlorinated tanks). While it is true that SW has not captured a whale from the wild in over 30 years, they do breed their whales in captivity and from birth force them to perform for the benefit of humans in ways they would never perform in the wild.

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation has had many really great articles about why marine mammal captivity is so harmful - I recommend checking out their site sometime. Also, this article is holycrap long, but worth a read IMO: www.digitaljournal.com/article/355652#ixzz2arEoG9Lh

[TrudyCampbell]

I'm dying to see this even though I took my daughter to sea world and she loved it. Gah, the shame!

[game blouses]

Aug 6, 2013 17:07:47 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

Aug 6, 2013 16:43:40 GMT -5 jillianashley6 said:

I saw the trailer a few weeks ago- it looks completely fascinating.

They made some comment about how the whales are suffering from psychosis -that when they are caught, they are "stored" in a small metal container, in the pitch black. My heart just broke hearing that. Those poor whales. :*(

I don't think they have caught a whale in a while. I think there may have been one but it was more of a rescue and it was determined that they couldn't return it to the wild. The rest have been born at the parks..(I'm not sure of the exact years/time frame)

I don't love that they are in captivity but they can't just release them into the wild. They would die quick. Like "willy" that ended horribly.

I know for a fact that the whales/animals at the parks are treated amazing. They eat better than most wealthy people.

I haven't seen the documentary but from the parts I know about its so full of false info. It's pretty ridiculous.

Which parts have false info? They have a great section on the website with Sea World's response and the filmmaker's rebuttal.

Like another poster said, the whales are used to swimming 100 miles a day, and now they do circles in a tank. They're not starved, but food is used as a training tool. The documentary talks about relationships between the whales as well.

They haven't caught a whale in a long time, but the documentary states that many (like 50%) of the current Sea World whales are descendants of Tilikum, the whale that killed the trainer in 2010.

They don't need to release the whales; they just need to stop breeding them.

[muffin0]

Aug 6, 2013 17:19:55 GMT -5 toledo said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:07:47 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

I don't think they have caught a whale in a while. I think there may have been one but it was more of a rescue and it was determined that they couldn't return it to the wild. The rest have been born at the parks..(I'm not sure of the exact years/time frame)

I don't love that they are in captivity but they can't just release them into the wild. They would die quick. Like "willy" that ended horribly.

I know for a fact that the whales/animals at the parks are treated amazing. They eat better than most wealthy people.

I haven't seen the documentary but from the parts I know about its so full of false info. It's pretty ridiculous.

gee, maybe if we just feed all the guantanamo prisoners better than "wealthy people," that whole issue will go away.

 Again I don't love that they are in captivity, but WTF are they supposed to do with them? Toss them out to see so they can die?

[game blouses]

Also, Deadly Kingdom: The Book of Dangerous Animals by Gordon Grice has a fascinating part about orcas and how badass they are in the wild. They are predators to Great White Sharks! Take that Shark Week!

[muffin0]

Aug 6, 2013 17:24:51 GMT -5 game blouses said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:07:47 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

I don't think they have caught a whale in a while. I think there may have been one but it was more of a rescue and it was determined that they couldn't return it to the wild. The rest have been born at the parks..(I'm not sure of the exact years/time frame)

I don't love that they are in captivity but they can't just release them into the wild. They would die quick. Like "willy" that ended horribly.

I know for a fact that the whales/animals at the parks are treated amazing. They eat better than most wealthy people.

I haven't seen the documentary but from the parts I know about its so full of false info. It's pretty ridiculous.

Which parts have false info? They have a great section on the website with Sea World's response and the filmmaker's rebuttal.

Like another poster said, the whales are used to swimming 100 miles a day, and now they do circles in a tank. They're not starved, but food is used as a training tool. The documentary talks about relationships between the whales as well.

They haven't caught a whale in a long time, but the documentary states that many (like 50%) of the current Sea World whales are descendants of Tilikum, the whale that killed the trainer in 2010.

They don't need to release the whales; they just need to stop breeding them.

I'm really not trying to advocate for SW here, but WTF does this have to do with anything? This is like saying that ALL pit bulls fight and it's in their blood.

[rosiedozie]

We had already resigned a few years ago to never do Sea World with our future kids and we plan on seeing this soon. I heard in an interview on NPR that its almost too hard to watch. Should be a fun date night! Not.

[game blouses]

Aug 6, 2013 17:27:45 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:24:51 GMT -5 game blouses said:

Which parts have false info? They have a great section on the website with Sea World's response and the filmmaker's rebuttal.

Like another poster said, the whales are used to swimming 100 miles a day, and now they do circles in a tank. They're not starved, but food is used as a training tool. The documentary talks about relationships between the whales as well.

They haven't caught a whale in a long time, but the documentary states that many (like 50%) of the current Sea World whales are descendants of Tilikum, the whale that killed the trainer in 2010.

They don't need to release the whales; they just need to stop breeding them.

I'm really not trying to advocate for SW here, but WTF does this have to do with anything? This is like saying that ALL pit bulls fight and it's in their blood.

The doc goes into detail about the reasons for Tilikum's multiple attacks on trainers, and hypothesizes about his aggression being genetic or as a result of his environment. Neither of which bode well for Sea World and its practices.

[Deleted]

I will cry if I see this. I already know.

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2013 17:37:08 GMT -5 Loco Coco said:

As a former zookeeper, I'm very skeptical of this movie. I haven't seen it yet, but it seems like they're hyping the drama and "fear."

SeaWorld isn't my favorite place, but I also don't find it terrible.

This article is interesting, and worth a read if this interests you.

Remember that Blackfish is only one side of the story.

melissaasmith.hubpages.com/hub/The-Stupidity-of-the-Blackfish-Trailer-Anti-Seaworld-Documentary

That is not a legitimate source. And anyone who has a "strong interest in exotic pet keeping" should be given the side eye.

[muffin0]

Aug 6, 2013 17:29:36 GMT -5 toledo said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:25:39 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

 Again I don't love that they are in captivity, but WTF are they supposed to do with them? Toss them out to see so they can die?

STOP BREEDING THEM.

have I once said I think they should continue to do so? If I have I didn't mean it.

[muffin0]

Aug 6, 2013 17:29:36 GMT -5 toledo said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:25:39 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

 Again I don't love that they are in captivity, but WTF are they supposed to do with them? Toss them out to see so they can die?

STOP BREEDING THEM.

and also that wasn't really my question. My question was referring to the animals already in captivity.

[LeggsBenedict]

orcas scare the shit out of me.

[game blouses]

Aug 6, 2013 17:44:43 GMT -5 Loco Coco said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:39:42 GMT -5 @amoosed said:

That is not a legitimate source. And anyone who has a "strong interest in exotic pet keeping" should be given the side eye.

I agree, but she has some good points.

I don't agree with exotic animals as pets. Nor am I big SeaWorld fan. I think they have gotten wayyyyy too into the money/entertainment/roller coaster side and less of a educational/caring about he animals side. I hope they can go back the other direction.

I still need to see the movie. But it sounds a lot like they are anthropomorphizing the whales to an extreme.

And a lot of animals travel long distances in the wild, it doesn't mean try want to. They do it out of necessity. At a zoo or in captivity that necessity is taken away.

Except when they need to flee from an attack or find a baby that's been taken away.

[game blouses]

Aug 6, 2013 17:46:59 GMT -5 Loco Coco said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:24:51 GMT -5 game blouses said:

Which parts have false info? They have a great section on the website with Sea World's response and the filmmaker's rebuttal.

Like another poster said, the whales are used to swimming 100 miles a day, and now they do circles in a tank. They're not starved, but food is used as a training tool. The documentary talks about relationships between the whales as well.

They haven't caught a whale in a long time, but the documentary states that many (like 50%) of the current Sea World whales are descendants of Tilikum, the whale that killed the trainer in 2010.

They don't need to release the whales; they just need to stop breeding them.

Jut because food is a training tool doesn't mean they don't get fed.

We also used food as a training tool, but if the animals gave us the middle finger that day, they still got all their food after the training session.

True. I was referring to one part in the film where some trainers in (not from Sea World) describe withholding food as a way to get them into the small 20 x 30 holding pens during the night.

I believe that zoos are in an entirely different place, in that their interests are more aligned with conservation than consumerism.

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2013 17:25:39 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:19:55 GMT -5 toledo said:

gee, maybe if we just feed all the guantanamo prisoners better than "wealthy people," that whole issue will go away.

 Again I don't love that they are in captivity, but WTF are they supposed to do with them? Toss them out to see so they can die?

:^) - Really? Really you don't know the obvious solution to this problem?




You don't breed them in the first place. 

[joshlyman]

In watched The Cove. That was enough to keep me from Sea World forever. Which sucks because I always loved it - but yeah.

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2013 17:48:36 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

Aug 6, 2013 17:29:36 GMT -5 toledo said:

STOP BREEDING THEM.

and also that wasn't really my question. My question was referring to the animals already in captivity.

You shut places like Sea World down that profit off of these animals and put them in some sort of an animal sanctuary. Just because they are already in captivity doesn't mean that we should be able to gawk at them and use them as show animals.