Animal Abuse In Zoos And Aquariums

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite in the documentary, Blackfish (2013), argues that captivity triggers aggression in killer whales. Cowperthwaite supports her argument by demonstrating shocking footage and emotional interviews to present a convincing case against keeping these animals in captivity and for human entertainment. The author’s purpose is to show the problems that are caused by captivity in order to aware the audience that keeping killer whales in captivity affects their behavior mentally and physically. The author writes in resentful tone to Sea World, the people who visited Sea World, and those who were present during the killer whale incident. Gabriela Cowperthwaite argues that keeping killer whales in captivity at SeaWorld affects their mentality due to how they are being treated. She makes this argument by applying pathos, ethos, and logos.

If you have ever been to Seaworld you would have had to go see the Killer whales in fact its one of the top attractions there. Through the eyes of a child, these gentle giants seem to be happy, healthy, and enjoying a playful game with their trainers. The question is are they really happy, do they get treated the right way, and why have there been deaths and injuries. Many people wonder about these things and after the movie Blackfish came out more and more people began to question how well Seaworld treats their animals. “The truth is that Sea World keeps its animals for entertainment and money and helps no one but themselves.”- Animal Legal Defense Fund

Since the 1960 's, SeaWorld has captured wild orcas, domesticating them like cats or dogs while displaying them like goldfish in an aquarium. The cruelty and dangers that SeaWorld presents to these animals need to be diminished. The environments they live in, the lifestyle they have adapted to, and the behaviors that have resulted from captivity are shocking. The breeding program in place at SeaWorld and the accidents that have happened in the facility that houses these whales are equally horrifying. The organization of PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, began its campaign “SeaWorld of Hurt” in May 2012. We need join PETA in efforts to end the captivity of killer whales, end the SeaWorld breeding program, and close all SeaWorld facilities.

This aggression is usually taken out on the fellow whales, but sometimes it is taken out on the SeaWorld trainers. There are three separate occasions where the same whale, Tilikum, has attacked trainers and killed two. As a result of the attacks and killings, the SeaWorld trainers are no longer allowed in the water with the orcas during the live shows. Tilikum is now isolated in a small pool for the rest of his days, living in captivity, occasionally coming out at the end of the show to make a splash. Blackfish is a prime example of how animal captivity is not a proper way of life for marine animals.

Only one assault has been recorded involving an orca in the wild, yet this was most likely because of mistaken identity, subsequent to the casualty was surfing in a region profoundly populated with seals, orcas' characteristic nourishment source. These cases demonstrate that unnatural living conditions in bondage are the in all likelihood reason for forceful conduct and assaults on people. It is out of line and unethical to benefit from the abuse of creatures. Orcas are the principle fascination at numerous marine parks and, without them, park participation would drop radically. In this way, these offices' need to keep attendance levels high by offering shows that give entertainment and permit visitors to see the creatures very close. Orcas are enduring major physical and mental issues because of their bondage, for example, broken teeth from chewing on steel doors, dorsal blade crumpling from absence of activity, and indications of discouragement. Nonetheless, the shows go

The article “Marine mammals face threats in captivity” by David Rogers states how even in captivity animals are found in danger. An example of Rogers claim is Sushi the dolphin that died at Busch Gardens for $1.46 in pocket change. A record declare the seven month dolphin died of zinc poisoning. When the dolphin was cut open and examined they found 31 pennies, seven nickels, three dimes and two quarters. The pennies were deteriorating. The pocket change had been tossed into Sushi's pool by visitors for the playful bottlenose dolphin to chase. In Florida, the lives of Sushi and other marine mammals are only as safe as their human captors allow. The most threatful thing against the animals is the aquariums they are held in. ``We think there are problems with these facilities that aren't being recognized by the federal and state governments,`` Ken Johnson, field investigator for the Humane Society of the United States, said last week. ``Many of the facilities in this state are having problems with the care of their animals.``Governments are not enforcing rules for keeping animals in captivity safe;therefore, animals are being abused and die ,for lack of regulations.The article “Death claims SeaWorld's oldest orca ; It's the sixth killer whale to die at the park since '88 opening” by Scott Huddleston states that marine biologists at SeaWorld San Antonio are baffled by the unexpected death of an adult killer whale that had been at

Despite the name given to these intelligent animals, killer whales don 't seem to be killer... in the wild anyways. Yet, places like SeaWorld seem to have shown people unintentionally that keeping whales in captivity and such small areas leads them to be aggressive, and essentially living up to their name. SeaWorld is an attraction that has been in the United States for many years, and although it provides great entertainment for individuals and their families, it also is a place where whales are treated poorly and held in captivity. While people enjoy the tricks the intelligent mammals are commanded to do, they don 't realize the poor conditions that they have once the show is over. Between whale fighting, poor feeding, and small areas; it is clear that keeping whales in captivity provides is both physically and mentally harmful to these animals. Many debates and arguments revolve around keeping whales in captivity, but keeping them in such small areas seems to cause them to lash out and hurt others. However, after learning about whales both in captivity as well as the wild, the realization that they should not be captive is starting to become noted by animal activists, the media and even the public. As the recent controversy of the poor conditions of killer whales in captivity is becoming more publicly noticed, animals activists are working towards the rights of killer whales.

By listening to the wails of grieving killer whales in the documentary Blackfish, one cannot help but pity the obviously distraught orcas sequestered in proportionally miniscule pools. Descriptions of Tilikum covered raked from head to tail, bleeding from incessant attacks from frustrated whales, show the physical trauma captive orcas endure (Blackfish). Not only do confined whales die younger and suffer more health problems, but there is psychological damage as well: whales of incompatible pods are forced together, and mothers often have their young stolen from them (Blackfish). We all understand the bond that we have with those we love, so how can we not condemn the isolation of emotionally social animals like orca whales? Additionally, there is potential harm to the humans who interact with zoo animals, as well as the captive species themselves. Graphic news reports of zoo trainor fatalities, killed by frightened or frustrated animals, demonstrate why this detrimental practice should be banned. The video of Ken Peters being dragged underwater especially demonstrates the danger animal shows pose; the fear and helplessness felt by assaulted trainers is an occurrence that should no longer exist (Blackfish). Furthermore, there are a plethora of eyewitness accounts to confirm that attacks by caged animals are not isolated incidents; for instance, wild animals like orcas are only documented as aggressive when in captivity--not in the wild (Blackfish). After analyzing the quality of life of zoo animals, moral people should feel outraged at the idea of imprisoning any intelligent species. It’s not right to jail innocent people--living beings with thoughts,feelings, and affections--so why should it be right to do the same to self-aware animals like orcas and

Throughout modern history, parents have often taken their children to the zoo or circus to go see wild animals that they might not otherwise see in person. This practice is viewed as an innocent and exciting way to teach little ones about the animal kingdom. However, the child is introduced to the idea that animals, no matter how large or deadly, are for the entertainment of humans and should be treated as such. Zoos are only one example of how humans are practically in direct control of the fate of wild animals. Even in the wild, animals are left to the mercy of humans due to our insatiable desire to carry on expanding as Jon Mooallem illustrates in his magazine article, “What’s a Monkey to Do in Tampa?”. According to, Mark Prigg for

The controversy of SeaWorld’s whale captivity is not only a threat to the animals themselves, but to the trainers and other whales in confinement as well. Three whales at the theme park had either agonized or even drowned a human, meanwhile, “It is not in an orca’s nature to threaten humans”(Orcas Shouldn’t Be Held Captive). The reason for the unexpected violence in the orcas is the fact that they have been abducted from their homes and brought into an environment millions of times smaller than what they were used to. It is unquestionable that “The artificial environment of captivity causes stress and anxiety for orcas, resulting in aggressive behaviors toward other whales and humans” (Orcas Shouldn’t Be Held Captive). Oak Bay’s Sealand of the Pacific held three whales, two females and one male in the same enclosure. Since the male was from a different family group, he was often harassed by the females. It is clear that the orcas at SeaWorld are not in a safer place than they were in the wild and should have rights to protect them from being kept as drudgers by places like SeaWorld. Even though the SeaWorld slavery case was turned down, PETA spokeswoman Colleen O’Brien said, “Today’s decision does not change the

Imagine being separated from your parents at a young age, taken only to spend the rest of your life in a confined environment, forced against your natural living circumstances. This is the life of the Orca whales (also known as Killer whales) at Sea World, an amusement park located in multiple places around the nation. Sea World performs shows incorporating animals, such as seals and whales to do tricks for amusement. However, recent research and media shows that Sea World lacks appropriate care for the whales they hold captive. They also have been said to hunt for their whales, but hunting of these animals threaten their growth, natural living conditions and their global population. One might say that the park is like a prison to these creatures, however those in prison make the choice to be put there. The whales are not allowed the freedom when held in captivity, so Sea World should be shut down due to its responsibility for the life threatening circumstances of the Orca Whales.

Charles Darwin once said, “the love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” If only Darwin had been alive to witness the secrets of the well-known marine mammal theme park known as SeaWorld, he would have been as appalled as many have been discovering these hidden secrets. One of the major issues with SeaWorld is animal captivity. It serves as a profitable way for people to see and enjoy wild animals, but through the captivity it can transform harmless animals into violent, agitated monsters in some cases. The defenseless animals, such as the killer whales at Seaworld, are deprived of their family, lives and freedom, which can lead to exceptional aggression.

The public has been misled and misinformed about the benefits of holding marine animals in captivity. Only small fraction of the licensed zoo’s, aquariums, and marine parks in the United States are actively involved in education and conservation efforts. Most operate mainly for profit and entertainment purposes (Rose, Farinato, Sherwin, 2006). Marine parks have a variety of exhibits that display animals performing tricks in shows for the public’s entertainment, arguing that it makes the experience of seeing marine mammals more memorable. Such shows provide no educational value, in regards to the animal’s natural behaviors. Studies have shown that the information the parks’ provide is often factually incorrect and distorted to portray the park as more beneficial than it actually is (Rose, Farinato, Sherwin, 2006). These facilities try to hide

The attacks by whales on trainers is always brought up, but it cannot be set aside. There are reports from SeaWorld’s parks

In homes, zoos, aquariums, and circuses across the world, animals are being caged and treated poorly as if they were nothing more than garbage. Many people are oblivious to the truth of what goes on behind zoos, circuses, and aquariums. They enjoy seeing exotic animals behind fences or glass, but never realize how it is from the animal’s perspective; from behind the glass or fence. Not only are animals being trapped in small steel dungeons, but they also are starved or beaten. Zoos such as Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, New Zealand (pictured above) provide a positive, unique view of animals; one