Cruel, heartless and greedy. Those are a few of the words that animal rights groups have accused SeaWorld of being. However, after experiencing first-hand the efforts SeaWorld undertakes to rescue and rehabilitate various animals, it is clear there is another side of the story.
On call 24/7, 365 days of the year, SeaWorld’s animal rescue responds to calls no matter how far they may be. A recent example is the rescue of 72 turtles from Cape Cod. When the weather becomes too cold, the turtles experience “cold-stunning” and some even contracted pneumonia. SeaWorld rescued and is rehabilitating these turtles. All are receiving attention and care as they grow stronger and healthier.
People who criticize SeaWorld are not upset with how they handle turtles, they are mainly concerned with the care of the orcas, also known as killer whales. Although SeaWorld does not want media to give any more attention to the film Blackfish, it is important to show the other side of the story. Blackfish accuses SeaWorld of harming the animals and attacked workers, but did not give them on-screen time to voice their opinion, leaving the film very one-sided.
“My own personal reaction [to Blackfish] was one of anger and disbelief. One of hurt and pain. How can this be a film? How can this be a documentary?” SeaWorld Curator Kelly Flaherty Clark said.
The whales get the same care and attention, if not more, that all the other animals receive. They get buckets of fish every day, toys to play with and trainers who interact with them to satisfy their intellectual curiosities. No negative reinforcement is used with the whales.
The love and the bonds between animal and human are evident. Blackfish used one incident to show that the whales are unloving beasts, but those who experience them up close can say otherwise.
“[Blackfish] used the death of a good friend of mine, a co worker, one of the best killer whale trainers I will ever know, it used [Dawn Brancheau’s] death and that tragic event to push forward an agenda that she herself would so vehemently have opposed,” Clark said.
SeaWorld released Blackfish: The Truth About The Movie explaining all of the films inconsistencies. The film is proof of how dirty the media can play. The protestors chanting “Free Tilly” should listen to both sides of the argument, it may change their minds.
SeaWorld wants the truth to be known. Park visitors can see that no harm is coming to any of the animals, and each one is cared for by loving trainers.
“The truth is in me. The truth is in our parks. The truth is in our people,” Clark said.
SeaWorld is open Mon.-Thurs. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On the weekends it is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Ticket prices range from $65-$95. A visit to the park will allow people to form their own opinions.