On the Topic of Seaworld and Blackfish- Part 2

 On the Topic of Seaworld and Blashfish- Part 2..

 Folks, I've said it before and I'll keep saying it- You have to look at both side with a very open mind and a lot of speculation. Don't take anything as the gospel truth, read and learn for yourself before making gut reaction decisions.

 Yet "Gut Emotion Reaction" is 95% of what I see when people start in on the topics of Seaworld, Tillikum and Blackfish. Seeing one film simply gives you the opinion of the director and editors. You see and hear only what they want you too, it's never the full story.

Frankly, I don't think a "true story" exists as they will all be colored with someone's opinion.


 I'm writing this as part of my own ongoing research about Blackfish and Seaworld, as recently I was lucky enough to be in contact with Joe Kleiman of Themed Reality. He's another blogger with ties to Seaworld and the Theme Park/Amusement Park world who, like me, has been trying to unravel the twisted web surrounding Blackfish.  He's written a very nice, well worded piece about Blackfish called "Dissecting Blackfish" which looks into the film and how it's been slanted to give you that gut reaction.

 I'd like to urge everyone to read through it, not just to uncover much of the "smoke and mirrors" used surrounding Blackfish but also to see how much was left out or changed to sway you to their side of this ongoing argument.  I continue to urge all of you to keep looking, keep reading and keep learning about these animals. Look at both sides to figure out where you want to stand on the topic.




(Comments are subject to deletion if they are rude, profane or otherwise found is poor taste.)

On The Topic of Seaworld and Blackfish..

 On The Topic of Seaworld and Blackfish..


 I've been saving this up for a long, long time. Because I knew when I finally went off on it that it would be long, drawn out and I'd probably offend people.

 Folks- ISI Supports Seaworld. We also support Accredited Zoos. We love animals and we enjoy learning about them through zoos and marine parks, through education programs and online. We support rehabilitation and conservation programs.  We would never support animal cruelty or abuse..  but Seaworld doesn't do those things.

 We support the good work Seaworld does and keeps doing, the care they give to the best of their ability and the money they donate to conservation and rehabilitation programs as well as the work they do with their own programs. They many not have the most sparklingly clean history but NO Marine Park does! They, like many other Zoo's and Marine Parks, have made mistakes and we've all learned from them.  There isn't a simple answer to the question of marine mammal captivity. I certainly don't know it and never claimed too, it's out there someplace but at the same time that answer must be weighted against the education these animals can provide.

 It's complex. It's mind-boggling. Anyone who claims to know the answer is probably supporting a cause or doesn't have even the most basic of educations about animal keeping/animal welfare.

 As I've said before about Blackfish- Follow the Money before you make a snap decision. Do research and find out both sides before believing anything you hear on the idiot flashy box (TV) and some of what you read. I stand on one side of this argument while others stand apart from me. It's fine, we're all allowed to have our opinions but I urge people to learn before jumping the bandwagon.

 I've complied a bunch of facts on my own with research but I've also found some amazing points put out there. People who've done more research then I have and have complied it faster.  So I'm asking EVERYONE out there, Read. Learn. Then.. make your decision. Rather than just attacking with a blind rage, can YOU think of a solution that will work?

Please, Keep Reading..

Trainers can't dance.. Seaworld Update.

 Greetings Folks,

Welcome to the late update.

Today a Judge in Florida ruled that Seaworld Trainers are no longer allowed to "Dance" and "Play" with the Orca's in an open tank environment.  It's official that the "Shamu" show has finally lost it's massive trademark of trainers within the water with the animals. The ruling stands that there should be a clear 'barrier' of some sort between trainers and whales during show times, however the judge also ruled that this doesn't apply to animal husbandry activities (such as animal healthcare needs).

This comes after Seaworld Orlando, the site of the 2010 death of Dawn Brancheau during an interactive session with Tillikum, one of the largest Ocras in captivity. Seaworld has spent a large chunk of change trying to install and perfect a "Quick Raising Floor" in the main exhibit tank to avoid another accident.

Picture from Orlando Theme Park News

The ruling from Orlando Sentinel

Now, my opinion on all this?

It's complete CRAP!

I'm sure you all asking "Why?! OMG How can you say that!?" well it's easy. 

I've worked for Seaworld, I've talked to the trainers. They LOVE their job, they love the close bond that trainer and animal have. It's a tight knit community, the trainers don't often have new blood come in. Simply because they LOVE their job, it's really once of the coolest jobs in the world. Who wouldn't want to swan dive off the nose of an Orca?! Seriously, it's cool and now no one else will ever see it. 

These trainers aren't dumb folks, they know these risks yet they get in the water everyday and spend time with these creatures. Your not doing that if you don't love your job and the animals under your care. Now their may be a few odd ducks out there who simply find it a job but nearly all of the trainers I've ever talked to would rather be in the water with their "family" then doing any other job out there.

These are educated adults with years of training, they know the risks and choose to take them. 

And I swear if I hear one more moron yelling about "Free Tilli" I'm gonna have to get my rant on in a highly series way. It didn't work for Keiko folks, it's surely not going to work for Tilli. Do you really want to sign his death warrant? Cause that's exactly what you'd be doing.