I have wanted to watch Blackfish for quite a while now after seeing some celebs tweet about this movie earlier this year.
I struggled to find a copy to watch when it was first released as it is an American production and was (from what I can gather) a low key film being shown only at certain events.
I have managed to hunt down this full length copy of this movie on YouTube (link below).
My experience of SeaWorld:
I have visited the SeaWorld Florida park many times on family holidays to the USA and have seen a variety of Shamu shows.
As much as I loved the shows, from day 1 I constantly questioned the treatment of these beautiful animals. My questioning was never brought on by seeing any form of mistreatment toward the animals but was from questioning my (very little) knowledge of the animal.
I remember vividly a child asking a member of the staff at SeaWorld whether the Orca were happy. Her response to this question was "they simply wouldn't do the tricks and behaviours if they didn't want to". However it is clear from the Blackfish movie and on hindsight that these animals are almost blackmailed for their food and this is the only way that the animals can insure they are fed.
In the wild, Orca will eat a number of fully grown animals such as seals or penguins per day whereas in captivity they are only fed a small amount of and this food is having to be earnt. It is very obvious that if an animal is starved because they refuse to 'perform' then the animal will learn very quickly to do as it is told...I mean how do you think we train dogs!? Maybe not through starvation but teaching them that if they 'perform' then they are rewarded with treats.
In the wild, Orca will eat a number of fully grown animals such as seals or penguins per day whereas in captivity they are only fed a small amount of and this food is having to be earnt. It is very obvious that if an animal is starved because they refuse to 'perform' then the animal will learn very quickly to do as it is told...I mean how do you think we train dogs!? Maybe not through starvation but teaching them that if they 'perform' then they are rewarded with treats.
I have never agreed fully with keeping animals in captivity in surroundings that aren't at an equal standard and as realistic as their natural habitat. I am very aware that it is not possible for a captive habitat to be 100% realistic, but SeaWorld doesn't seem to have made much of an attempt at all. The Orca are quite literally kept in enormous swimming pools; smooth walls and blue water.
The Movie:
The movie takes us back to the very beginning before SeaWorld was as well known as it is now. It follows the story of one particular Orca named Tilikum from the age of around 2 years old.
The story starts with by showing actual footage of Tilikum being taken from his mother at a very young age along with a number of other young Orca who sadly didn't make it. Tilikum was taken to SeaLand where he was taught his tricks and behaviours by the use of bullying from 2 older female Orca and starvation if he failed to do as he was expected. The storage of these 3 Orca at SeaLand is absolutely appalling; a small container which only just fit all 3 in.
It was at SeaLand that Tilikum killed his first victim.
After this attack, SeaLand made the decision to shut down and sell the Orca. Tilikum ended up at SeaWorld Florida.
The movie is narrated by ex SeaWorld trainers and employees. They tell their individual stories about the way SeaWorld was run, how the Orca were trained and how they felt about the whole situation. There is also undercover footage of staff working at SeaWorld lying (they may have been told information and know no different) about the living conditions and the outcome being captive at SeaWorld has on the Orca.
Throughout the movie, viewers are shown footage of numerous 'near miss' situations between trainers and their Orca. This is extremely hard for viewers to watch as it is so graphic. I feel personally that this is what was needed within the film to make people realise just how dangerous and unjust this situation is.
The film shows various aspects of the treatment and living conditions of these beautiful animals and gets viewers to think about their own opinions a little more deeply.
Nearing the end of the film viewers are told about Tilikum's second killing and shortly after we see footage of the moments before Tilikum took the life of Dawn Brancheau who was one of SeaWorld's most experienced trainers. The 911 call is played whilst images of Tilikum are shown with Dawn's Body covered at the Side of the pool within the crime scene.
The movie highlights the ways in which SeaWorld have covered their tracks with all near miss situations and 3 deaths and blamed trainers involved for the incidents.
Throughout the film we are told as viewers that Tilikum is still performing at SeaWorld Florida and is still being used to breed calves. These calves will more than likely inherit Tilikum's temperament; so are these Orca safe to train and work with??
It seems from both the movie and my opinion from visiting the park myself, that SeaWorld are using these animals mainly for money making purposes and the 'big bosses' do not seem to care enough about their staff, animals or visitors to make this a safer more animal friendly environment and prevent these devastating incidents.
I for one will never be visiting a SeaWorld park again until changes have been made. I will not be funding this park with my hard earnt money so it can be used toward putting peoples lives at risk and the mistreatment of these animals.
I've read most of the source material regarding killer whales kept in captivity, and the evidence is damning. Every captive animal, as a species, is going to have a unique reaction to their environment. For the most part it's not good.
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