I must spew these random facts just to let something that has been bothering me for about five days off my chest. The accident that occurred last week concerning the trainer and Orca at Sea World has got me thinking. At first my reaction was sad for both the trainer and Tilikum. Then I started analyzing reasons why it happened. 12,000 pound dolphins (Orcas are of the dolphin family, not whale) do not naturally live in the conditions they endure when in captivity. Not saying Sea World is physically abusing them with whips and chains, but humans aren't the only ones that use their brains (who would have known?).
WHO WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT ORCA WHALES? ha.
- Tilikum weighs roughly 12,000 pounds which makes him the largest whale in captivity. The average Orca at Sea World and other marine wildlife parks weigh between 4,000 and 6,000 pounds. Orca whales can grow up to 22,000 pounds. Having such a large wild animal in captivity can be dangerous and uncontrollable. It is no different than training a lion or chimp, other than size. They are all wild animals that belong in the wild.
-Why don't we release Tilikum back into the wild so he won't hurt anyone else? Because it would be similar to letting a 30 year old human into society with no communication or social skills, except Orca whales show no mercy for "different" whales. Orcas travel in pods of up to 40 whales. Each pod learns a language of their own that no other pod can understand. It takes roughly two years to learn this language. Tilikum was captured when he was less than a year old. He doesn't even know the language of his pod (or any pod), so therefore his tribe wouldn't accept him even if someone could find his tribe. He was captured off the coast of Iceland. Orca whales travel easily 100 miles a day. There have been orcas tracked from Alaska to Hawaii within 2 months. Finding his pod would be close to impossible, and they would not recognize him anyway. Orcas do not socialize with Orcas from other pods. They see them as a threat to their food source.
- Back to the fact that Orcas travel many miles a day... They have instincts to know what direction they are traveling. Orcas in captivity live in giant fish tanks that are 12 times their size (if they're lucky). Imagine having the entire ocean as your habitat, then being snatched away to live in one room the rest of your life. They are vulnerable when alone. They can easily give into training, but just because a wild animal is trained does not mean their instincts are erased.
- The average female orca in the wild lives between 50 and 90 years; average male 30 to 50. Not many orcas in captivity live longer than 10 years. Tilikum is one of two to actually live his normal lifespan at 30 years old.
- Why do attacks occur when in captivity? They are not mean aggressive animals that will attack anything in their path. Orcas and many types of sharks eat seals. A human in a wetsuit can resemble a seal. In many cases, when orcas attack they mistake the human for a seal. Once they realize their mistake they let them go.
Okay... done for now. Don't get me wrong. I loved Sea World all three times I went. I love animals and viewing them, but what does it cost? More than a 40 dollar ticket. There is no opportunity in the life of a captive orca, beluga, dolphin, bear, lion, chimp, giraffe, etc, etc, etc. Issues come up when attacks happen... like what to do with an orca that can't defend itself in the wild, but has killed three people. But really who cares? It's just a big fish. *sigh*
I have been rolling out these facts to different people and haven't really liked their reactions. I think most people think I'm crazy. That's why I decided to blog about it. I don't have to feel like an idiot after I'm finished. c:
