The Truth About SeaWorld's Orcas

This video takes on a "pro-captivity" stance, for those who hardly even bother to watch the thing past 10 or 20 seconds and jump to conclusions.

To summarize this video's facts in a few main points:

-All of SW's killer whales are taken care of, fed, and mentally/physically enriched/stimulated every day regardless of temperment or performance.
-The animals of SW are all trained using a system of POSITIVE reinforcement - H.E.L.P.R.S. is the acronym the parks' trainers abide by. Beating, starving, refusing enrichment or attention, or other "punishments" are absolutely nonexistent.
-The health and well being of the animals is ALWAYS put before public performances.
-The whales do not circle endlessly all day when not involved in shows. They are often enriched with training and bonding sessions, interactions, and enrichment.

Edit: 2/25/10: I am very well aware that this video is old and very messy - however, I have no motivation to make a new one. For now, I guess it serves as a host to debate the controversy of captivity in the comments section. You're all welcome to share your opinions - pro or anti - as long as they are mature and civilized. I'm not here to babysit you, but stand to the side to monitor comments.

Anything insulting in any way, shape or form will be ignored and removed, so don't bother.

Music is © Evanescence.
Photos and footage are © to me. Do NOT use any part of this video without my permission.

Thanks,

-OrkidForever

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• seaworld
• killer
• whale
• shamu
• sea
• world
• orca
• whales
• bottlenose
• dolphin
• orcinus
• tursiops
• marine
• park
• dolphinarium
• ocean
• truth
• captivity

[shamurocks111]

can i use this footage i will credit u

[OrkidForever]

@shamurocks111 I'm sorry, but I'm not allowing the use of my footage right now.

[periesicsd]

@OrkidForever do you allow it by now, please? Thank you.

[OrkidForever]

@periesicsd No, sorry; my footage is private and will stay private until further notice

[PyramidheadFreak]

I work with animals at a zoo. Public training sessions is also in a ways enrichment and a bonding moment with the trainers and caretakers. There is a such thing as love and caring between the trainers and whales. I personally loved this penguin that followed me around in the enclosure when I was in there, I was so upset when she passed away and I still miss her to this day. I am pro captivity.

[nocturnelle07]

144 people don't have a brain.

[dolphinserenity]

@brittperry21 They're so much healthier than those in the wild? Seaworld medicates the hell out of them and even then their lifespan is drastically shorter.

[brittperry21]

thanks for posting this captive orcas are heathlier then the ones in the wild filled with pcbs and have to travel further and further to find food

[Orcabro95]

ok my head is spinning let me get a hold of myself X(

[SSAChristaGreenway]

I believe you have a very strong arguement against the people who believe that Orca performances and captivity is wrong. And you are right, in Seaworld; the Orcas' have eccellent care and treated with the respect and kindeness they deserve. However, in some select places, the Seaworld industry does indeed take it's whales from the wild into captivity and based on opinion alone; I believe that they should remain in the wild. I would encourage you to watch "The Cove" it is a documentary about Orca

[nwtampaguy34]

The best enrichment for a killer wale is the wide open ocean. Humans have been researching all animals for over 70 years and we know just about everything that needs to be known. I have not heard of any research in the last 20 years that we didn't know 20 years ago. Its not research anymore. Its all money now and it cost a husband his wife and a family's daughter. RIP Dawn Brancheu. I will never set foot in a sea world again.

[theVEGANdinosaur]

@sidandrob but orcas are NOT dogs or cats or even domesticated. they are WILD animals. orcas are not meant to be kept in tiny bathtubs of "saltwater". they migrate and travel great distances in a single day. orcas are also highly intelligent and the "stimuli" sw provides will never equal that of the wild. sw's tanks are bare and lifeless without even sand on the bottom in an attempt to recreate the ocean. and its not for lack of funds either. sw has plenty of money they could use for this.

[Callaway7394]

@emILYes83 No. You're not paying $70 to connect with nature. You're paying $70 to help fund them. It costs SeaWorld $40,000 dollars A DAY to feed all of their animals. That's before anything else, maintaining the pumps, electric, water, etc. SeaWorld does amazing Rescue Work that they do not charge for. A ticket to SeaWorld is helping them continue to do the wonderful rescuing and researching they do.

[Callaway7394]

@emILYes83 No. You're not paying $70 to connect with nature. You're paying $70 to help fund them. It costs SeaWorld $40,000 dollars A DAY to feed all of their animals. That's before anything else, maintaining the pumps, electric, water, etc. SeaWorld does amazing Rescue Work that they do not charge for. A ticket to SeaWorld is helping them continue to do the wonderful rescuing and researching they do.