Captive Cetaceans are tragically sad compared to their free ranging families in the ocean. Throughout this blog I have tried to provide links to information stated enabling you to check things out and make your own minds up. Research really is the key, don't be told what to think and say, check it out for yourself.
Once again it comes to light that Seaworld are not exactly honest with the things they put in print.
How can anyone call ex trainers liars when they have access to documents like Tilikum's own animal profile, which is full on untruths.
The first half
Accidental drowning in 1991? Really? Keltie Byrnes Coroners Inquest shows she was repeatedly dunked by the whales and they also refused to let her leave the pool or allow anyone in to retrieve her, she had to be hauled out by a weighted net dragging the pool.
Accident? No not really.
7.6.1999 Drowning - no specific behaviour noted.
That isn't true is it as Daniel Dukes medical examiners report shows both pre and post mortem injuries, including having his scrotum ripped off pre death. Do you think he didn't scream or shout out when that happened?
Then there is the law suit filed by his parents which states Daniel Dukes had injuries to his legs and ankles consistent with him being pulled into the pool.
the only truth in that part of his profile is ''no behaviour noted'' as it seems it wasn't noted although the evidence does show it DID happen!
2.24 2010 Grabbed pony tail, held trainer underwater, carry/tow trainer
Really??
We all know full well from the massive coverage and court report itself that this is far from what happened on that dreadful day.
The injuries listed in Dawn Brancheau's autopsy report smash this part of the file to bits.
The frightening part of this section of Tilikum's profile is that this is Seaworld's OWN animal profile and as a trainer reading their version, would you think Tilikum was a danger? Would you know the things he did to those poor people? Would you still believe the ponytail theory as even though it was proven in court not to be a pony tail it still says it here?
On to the summary -
During times of frustration due to social stress in the environment, Tilikum has exhibited aggressive behaviour which includes LUNGING at control trainer.
This is the Believe show minutes before Dawn's death as you can see there is definitely social stress in the environment, they are definitely deep fast swims, so much so that the trainers abandoned the stage and one orca was taken up out of the water. Doesn't get much more stressful that this as the trainers showed by their absence. They yet again repeat that Tilikums's involvement in the death of Daniel Dukes was not known. If I can find the medical examiners report surely they can too!!
That horrible day eye witness account of Dawn's rescue
Next paragraph - he displays possessive behaviour not only with things in his pool but also with other whales, especially Taima. Does that tell you he doesnt want her taking away? Sadly he had no choice when she died.
Next paragraph - We utilise his relationship with Taku and recently Trua. Tilikum has been successful in solo semen collection since that time. So that is the real reason he is in with Trua, do you ever hear Seaworld give that as the reason??
As for this ridiculous video which states why Seaworld give their orcas gelatin
Tilikums own profile shows he is given 10 gallons of gelatin to increase his hydration levels. He is also trained on a stomach tube for hydration as well as trained to drink water from a cup.
If he was wild would he do any of those things? No of course he wouldn't as he would get all his fluids from the fish he caught, so despite Seaworld's claims that the fish is restaurant quality, it is still dead, and still lacking the fluids he needs to survive.
Would you want to be fed an un natural diet of gelatin?
Gelatine is made from pig skin, cow skin, and the bones of both animals! Gross, isn't it? He is a fish eating orca as they all are, not a skin and bone eater, and he is given 10 gallons of this every day!! The last paragraph shows why he is at Seaworld. He has fathered 12 calves and only had contact with one of them in 2007. How sad is that, its not Tilikum Seaworld want, its his sperm. Is this the life he was born to have? Is this the life we should have given him?
Is there any wonder he behaves like he does, and what hope has he got? NONE what so ever. He will never see his family again, never swim in the ocean he was stolen from, and yes he was stolen against his will, he has been made into something totally un natural - masturbation, separation, fear, tubes for hydration, fed an un natural diet of bones and skin, toothless, fin bent over, and yet Seaworld still maintain they thrive in that environment.
How will he leave his tank prison - only death releases those poor creatures, Seaworld know it, we know it and deep down the fans know it and should be ashamed of themselves for defending this as a good life for a mater of the ocean. What an absolute joke and what a tragedy for all the orcas in their care and all the fans they have lied to who look no further than Seaworld themselves for the proof.
Ever try having a conversation with the bathroom wall? In a truckstop bathroom with foul graffiti written on it? Of course, but then you resort to blocking don't you?
We didn't think so.
Yet, PETA super-fans over at The Dodo are demanding SeaWorld do just that. Essentially demanding that SeaWorld respond to what consists of The Dodo's thoughts about the marine park.
Firstly, your research shows you up once again lol. Take a look here Anyone and everyone who loves animals can make a post on the Dodo, even you Eric, so its not just the thought of one thing - the Dodo, it is the thoughts of many individuals, even Seaworld fans write on there too. Fancy that!!
You see, leading up to the Super Bowl, GoDaddy released an ad online.
The ad, which is an obvious spoof of the hugely popular puppy ads from
Budweiser, features a puppy named Buddy who is lost and returns home
only to realize he’s been sold via a website set up using GoDaddy.
Twitter and Facebook erupted with negative reactions to the ad citing the promotion of puppy mills and improper breeding.
GoDaddy began engaging those who tweeted at them about the ad. They
explained their longtime work with animal shelters, volunteer efforts by
GoDaddy employees and even noted that a loving family had adopted
Buddy. It was by-and-large a rational conversation. Well isn't that how it should be? If you have nothing to hide you defend yourself, well normal people do anyway, those who are honest enough to back up what they say. People like yourself, Stand with Seaworld, Podcast all run by ermmm you, Erin and Mike,block those who are armed with the facts, take a look down your own wall, there are many times people say they love learning facts, not just things you choose to tell them. Then there is Seaworld themselves who do exactly the same thing. Got something to hide?
In steps PETA's official mouthpiece, a web publication called The Dodo.
Seeing controversy, they took a shot at SeaWorld. Rightly so as Seaworld even when
addressing things lie upon lie. What company would use an orca who had 7
calves and only has 2 of them with her as an example of NOT separating
mothers from their offspring?
Katina - First born Kalina
was taken to do a tour of the Seaworld parks and not returned until she
was 9 years old. Whilst away she had a calf of her own at the extremely
young age of 7, 18 months gestation so she was 5 and a half years old
and Seaworld allowed her to become pregnant. When Keet was 18 months old
his mum was moved again as she was pregnant again. SEAWORLD SAID KEET
BECAME DEPRESSED after her move but he was cared for by Haida 2 and made
friends with Kuyquot and Katerina, despite that at aged 5 he was moved
to away from them too.
She then had Keto - SEAWORLD SAID HE
WAS MOVED OUT OF ORLANDO TO CORRECT HIS BAD HABITS he was 3. He stayed
at San Diego for 9 months, then was moved to Ohio and then to San
Antonio. He finally formed a bond with Kayla even fighting with Ky over
her and was then reunited with his brother and they too became really
close. Despite the bonds he made as he would have naturally been at his
mothers side all his life, he was then sent to Loro Parque never seeing
any of them again. People wonder then why he killed poor Alix Martinez,
Seaworld knew he was messed up as they tried to correct his bad habits,
who gave him those bad habits? Even though they knew about Keto they
still let the trainers in Loro Parque swim with them, being supervised
by Brian Rokeach didn't stop the death.
As you know the orca so well what possible reason was
there to take Tuar from Kalina? He too would still be at his mothers
side?
Then there is Skyla how old was she when Seaworld took her from her
mother? 2, what was the reason for that??
When Kalina died from
septicemia, she had none of her calves with her, why was that as
Seaworld state they don't separate them??? Those 4 orca would have
stayed in Katina's matriline after Kalinas death. Katerina - Katina's second calf was taken aged 2, and sent to San
Antonio, she died there aged 10. Why did they take her from Katina as
Seaworld's lovely videos say they respect the mother and calf bond, and
the simpering mother of 4 says 'we wouldn't do that' but they would and
have. Taku was so
messed up he mated with his own mother, producing Nalani a full inbred
who can go nowhere as she will never be part of the breeding programme,
if she ever is there certainly would be uproar as no respectable
institution would breed an animal knowing they were full inbred. As you
know them so well, how was that allowed to happen?? He died at San
Antonio of pneumonia aged 14. Unna - where is Unna and how old was she when she was
moved?? She has been on birth control since miscarrying her first calf.
Why isn't she still with Katina?? Ikaika was only 4 when he was
traded for 4 Belugas and sent to Marineland. After winning the court
battle he was brought back to Seaworld, so why wasn't he brought back to
the same tank as his mother as he would have been with her for life in
the wild?? Nalani - beautiful Nalani can't go anywhere
as she can never be used for the breeding programme due to being the
result of mother and son mating. 7
calves later she had Makaio, who is still with her. She should have all
her calves with her and as 3 of them have died from septicemia,
pneumonia and infection which then raises the question of how have these
orca got those infections as Seaworld says their tanks are free from
bacteria, infection and pathogens. Look through the causes of death for
the other orca too, this is obviously NOT the case.
To
produce a video saying Seaworld are aware of the mother and calf bonds
makes the situation so much worse, as ignorance could have been an
excuse, now there is no excuse for separating these orca.
Answer that one Eric, what sort of company would use that particular orca as an example of respecting the mother and calf bond? The only true statement in the above video is ''the truth is on our parks'' and it most certainly is as anyone can check the whereabouts of those orcas, and the necropsy reports for the others.
What sort of company would say they were offended as Blackfish said they blamed Dawn for her own death, when the court transcripts of the case show they blatantly did?
“Instead of doing what SeaWorld did to combat negative publicity -
deleting Facebook comments, blocking people from their social media
accounts and creating a “Truth Team" - GoDaddy is thanking people for
giving them feedback.” wrote The Dodo. That is exactly what Seaworld did and what you do and still do! Why do you do that are you frightened that those people Seaworld are clinging onto might actually find out the truth? Wouldn't it be better for Seaworld to actually address those issues rather than pretend they didn't happen or have the likes of you keeping people confused with your obsession with PETA and Dodo?
Wonder if GoDaddy got any of the hate tweets or Facebook comments, err… sorry “feedback”, threatening arson and shootings?
Here’s is just a bit of the “feedback” SeaWorld has received that we could find with a quick search: We all have feedback Eric, it isnt just one sided, so to add to yours, I'll add some from your side, as you chose to leave names on yours I'll return the favour. Here are the ones your side post and at the end you can see who fuels things like this Lets start with this, an event organised and still showing on Stand with Seaworld - Protest the Protestors. Names for these 2 can be provided.
There are 2 people that insist on calling me Dawn, Eric Davis and Mike Madsen.
Double team bullying a girl.
After stating many don't support PETA's kill policy any more than they do.
Actively antagonizes anti captivity people yet stabs her own too.
Summons as many people as possible to cause friction to people posting their own opinions. A quick scroll down their comments shows where the venom comes from and its not this side.
On Gabriella Cowperthwaite
Who fuels all this hatred, as it tries to shift the focus from what people actually protest?
Wow! Wow indeed!! You post comments which look like they are from the same conversation to be fair, and I post many different ones, there are worse ones I could find too all linking back to one of your pages, but there are thousands and thousands of comments that are not like that at all. I have personally had people thank me for suprising them and not being what they had been led to believe.
The PETA posse at The Dodo can’t seem to understand why SeaWorld won’t respond to comments like these. Once again you back up all the allegations above about YOU fuelling this with just this sentence alone. Go look at Dodo as stated earlier ANYONE can post on there, including you, it is in no shape or form a PETA posse, but you once again lead people to attack it.
Normal people either ignore, delete, or report hateful and threatening comments like this. Not The Dodo. They demand SeaWorld say ‘Thank you for your feedback’. They demand that Seaworld have some honesty and transparency as people can see straight through the lies they spin, especially you, which is probably why you fuel all this as you know your position against actual documented FACTS is now very weak and people can truly see Seaworld for what they are. Their lack of addressing anything put to them, or trying to cover it, just digs their hole deeper than it already is and you fuel that too.
After all, most of these people are PETA fans who read The Dodo. What a load of biased rubbish and you know it too. Whats the problem are you frightened that those so close might learn a few things, see that they have been blindfolded by you and Seaworld's PR team, as it is all unravelling right before your eyes. You can block people from your pages but you cannot stop those fans from reading things like this blog or the DODO where they can look up facts for themselves. Seaworld will have to face the music over a lot of things as people uncover the truth and you, nor them can stop that.
Take a look through my blog, all the links people need, all the factual reports, necropsies, statements, court reports are all there so people can research themselves, not just blindly follow what they are told in a blocked off bubble. the DODO does the same.
Before you deleted his post stating it was a false profile, someone working for Seaworld gave you some very valuable advise, I suggest you read it again, it wasn't a false account at all as he replied to my request for confirmation.
Once again Erin McKinney writes a load of unproven ''facts'' for Awesome Ocean, the site set up with Seaworld's money.
Lets look at the FACTS and PROVE these facts this time, as this is just getting ridiculous and is presented as a factual report when really it is the presumption of one person only.
In order to testify in court as an "expert," you must first offer your qualifications to the judge and jury. This is very true so we will look at their qualifications
And contrary to what you see on TV, staying at the Holiday Inn Express does not actually make you an expert. No one said it did!
So, let's set the table a little here - watching “Blackfish” doesn’t
make you an animal behaviorist any more than watching “Top Gun” makes
you a fighter pilot, people. Many activists have said over and over if Blackfish is such an issue to you ignore it and look at the real facts. Have you?? No instead you continue to block anyone with a differing opinion, anyone proving you wrong and you continue to provide material that can be shredded with FACTS in minutes. here , here, here , here, here, here
In the same way that you state you cannot take Blackfish as a reference point then I say neither can you take Seaworld's website as a reference either. They are fighting to keep their business alive and are not going to say anything that may turn even more people away are they? You don't need either as the proof is all there in official documents.
When it comes to the marine mammal captivity "debate," thinking people look toward experts and facts. Exactly so lets look at them, as I see you have provided NONE yet again!!
Though there has always been a vocal (and often radical) minority
that speaks out against marine mammals in captivity, recent books like
“Death at SeaWorld” and the endlessly debunked movie “Blackfish” have
brought the issue into the court of public opinion. Unfortunately,
otherwise well-meaning people have been duped into demanding that
SeaWorld “explain” themselves. Duped by the people who told you milk causes autism.
Once again you try to tie everyone to PETA, they are just one voice fighting the anti captivity campaign, but I guess they are the easiest option for you as it aids you in avoiding answering real questions as all the people who Stand with you, say exactly the same thing, so as they are a separate organisation and we are looking at Seaworld FACTS lets take them out of the equation too.
Thus, SeaWorld now has to defend their Shamu show and other programs
against the allegations brought on by the filmmakers, authors and
disgruntled former employees - all with activist backgrounds.
Garbage in, garbage out.
LETS GET THIS CLEAR BEFORE MOVING ON AS WE GO OVER AND OVER THE SAME THING. ACTIVISTS ARE NOT PROTESTING BECAUSE OF BLACKFISH, DEATH AT SEAWORLD OR FORMER EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE PROTESTING BECAUSE OF SEAWORLD THEMSELVES. Now we have that straight we can move on with the real TRUTH AND FACTS!!
In other words, if you start with a fundamentally skewed or corrupt premise, everything thereafter is fatally flawed.
That’s not how this court should work You are correct so now we have everything out of the way, we can look at those facts.
The fact is SeaWorld has evolved dramatically throughout its 50 year
history. On their own, they have continually improved their facilities
and programs. They are a consistent model within the industry and across
the globe. The fact is, real experts look to SeaWorld to learn how to
take care of marine animals.
They have multigenerational cetaceans. They have performed shark
C-sections, penguin cataract surgery and birthed twin sea lions.
They even preformed surgery on a fish - a fish!
Again you need to separate why people protest from what Seaworld does.You as supporters seem to have missed what Seaworld is trying to tell you. They know why people protest. After Blackfish Seaworld started to change their websites for example.
These are the old Seaworld websites, featuring their star attraction.
This is the new website
Notice anything missing???
Seaworld tried and still try to switch the focus from their orcas to their rescues. As people protesting are not stupid, showing picture after picture of rescued manatees and turtles although fab, does not change anything for those captive orcas. Why on earth would people protest rescues??? Seaworld now where the problem is the only people who seem to be missing that fact are people like yourselves.
To back up your statement above, could you also list what people look to Seaworld to learn how to take care of marine mammals. Are they other marine mammal keepers??
SeaWorld existed BEFORE governmental regulations of marine life
facilities, and since the standards have come into existence, they have
not only met them, but far exceeded them. They also exceed Association
of Zoo and Aquarium regulations as well. If you haven't had your fill of
facts, SeaWorld goes far beyond governmental standard in conservation
and education. SeaWorld operates both the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, and the SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.
Basically, SeaWorld blows governmental standards and regulations out
of the water (pun intended).
This is where you start to lose your credability again, they HAVE NOT far exceeded the governmental regulations since they came into existence at all.
Firstly there is the most well known $75000 fine and 3 citations for the death of Dawn Brancheau. Seaworld also lost the appeal.
Click here to read the full 35 page decision by the court of appeal
Then 3 years later they were fines again and have been labelled repeat offenders see here
Seaworld were fined for polluting Mission bay in 2012, with the California Regional Water Board stating Since April 13, 2005, there have been numerous violations of effluent
limitations at the facility, including three exceedances of Ammonia,
six exceedances of Enterococcus, and one exceedance of Total coliform.
"Furthermore, there have been multiple months in which required sampling was not reported. "The constituents not sampled have included pH, Total coliform, Fecal Coliform, Enterococcus, and Total Residual Chlorine." See the full report here There are historic violations but as they are historic the current ones are more relevant but as they are noted as being repeat offenders, both in safety and water standards the documents prove that SeaWorld DEFINATELY DO NOT blow governmental standards and regulations out
of the water
They also contribute more to science and
research in a day than all of the manipulative activists combined.
This again proves that you have researched absolutely nothing other than that which fits your own agenda I recently went over and sent you a response to your last post about the research Seaworld have on their website. If you look through it there are numerous articles on live capture techniques, articles on how to identify young in a pod, surveys that were required prior to capture and numerous for the diseases those captives died from, not done as a prevention, done after the fact. To save going through them all again you can see them here . There are 48 publications in total less than one per year.
Compare that figure to say - the Marine Mammal Center who are also rescuing marine mammals, and they have released that number in the past 2 years!! See for yourself here The links I have provided so far are actual FACTUAL documents, even where they connect up to my own blog, the links to those disputing facts are there too. As you said yourself ''thinking people look towards experts and facts''.
Those are the facts, but the main point is this:
Not a single expert body on the care and keeping of animals has brought a charge against SeaWorld. And in return if all they say are lies and misinformation why has Seaworld not sued any of them or taken them to court? All of the accusations come from disgruntled employees and animal rights extremists like PETA and HSUS. Really well lets look at those you call animal rights extremists, and disgruntled employees.
These are the scientists, you have labeled animal activists. SEE THEIR CREDENTIALS HERE In short
Ken Balcomb does studies for NOAA, he is deemed good enoughfor NOAA but not for you. Lori Morino is the author of over 80 publications on dolphin and whale brain
anatomy and evolution, comparative intelligence and self-awareness in
dolphins and primates, and the ethical dimensions of human-nonhuman
relationships, including dolphin-assisted therapy and swim programs, as
well as elephant-assisted therapy.
David Duffus, has more scientific publications published than Seaworld
Naomi Rose - is a member of
the International Whaling Commissions Scientific Committee. She has
published popular and scientific articles and lectures at several
universities. She participates in task forces and workshops at
International, National and State Level. She received her PhD on the
social dynamics of killer whales in 1992 from the University of
California in Santa Cruz.
Jeff Ventre also had peer reviewed publications out on the captivity issues. See here John Jett has peer reviewed publications out too here If by saying Samantha Berg and Carol Ray were not experienced enough to speak on the issue of Tilikum or didn't work with Tilikum, then surely that is confirming what they say. Whether they worked with him or not, Seaworld state everyone was issued with a special protocol for working with Tilikum as part of their training. They also say it takes a long long time to become a Shamu trainer and they have to be competent before being allowed in the water with them, so if you say these 2 people were none of the above, are Seaworld lying about their training then?
John Hargrove was employed twice by Seaworld and was the last to leave, if they didn't think he was up to scratch would they have employed him again? Lastly there is the anti captivity person turned pro captivity and writer for yourselves Bridgette Pirtle.
Regardless whether she had a falling out with Blackfish or not, when she left Seaworld she blamed Seaworld themselves for that stating: ''SeaWorld has an opportunity right now. They can
spend the money to fight to preserve the appearance of the fallacies
they have been built on OR they can spend that money on the animals that
deserve it. I spent too many years watching decisions made to spend
money on show elements, playgrounds or barbeque restaurants. Now is the time to let actions speak louder then words.''
'' Ultimately, the same concerns voiced
as a result of Dawn’s accident had been voiced after incidents in the
past. Lessons not learned and continually disregarded. Many of those
taking care of the animals are fighting for less responsibility to be
placed upon their ever-drooping dorsal fins. Show schedules, public
interactions, and dining obligations create a strain on animals already
in a highly stressed environment. They are proudly introduced as
“ambassadors” but they are simply work horses for a profit hungry
industry desperate to remain relevant in a society that has already
begun to recognize we have moved past such a trite necessity. Until
parks like SeaWorld exhale their dying breathe, tighter regulations and stronger accountability for adhering to such guidelines is a given.'' Why would someone say those things about Seaworld?? Did she lie back then or is her support for Seaworld now, a lie as one of them is? See the full interview here. As I always try to find the truth, I have asked her many many times, if this is truth or lies, as her Nat Geo interview said the same as did her book launch, and in typical fashion there is no reply.
Those accusations are echoed by a mouthpiece with no standards - that's been caught lying before. You need to do as I do when reading articles as anyone can post an article to the dodo, but the one Eric posted by Melissa Cronin is listed above as a complete manipulation of the truth, go look that up too.
The charges levied against SeaWorld by “Blackfish” and others are
serious allegations of animal abuse, misuse, neglect and cruelty. So why
are no credible sources standing up to make these accusations?
They have, have you forgotten AB2140?
Check the lastest data here This report collates scientific evidence which includes
Previous analyses using data through 1992 showed that captive
orcas have higher mortality rates than wild orcas; new analyses
examining data through 2010 confirm that the situation has not improved
in the past 18 years, and in fact has worsened. Captivity is, in
essence, poor habitat for orcas, causing early death.
Captive female orcas give birth too young and too often, leading to both high adult and high infant mortality.
The most common cause of death for captive orcas is infection.
Chronic stress may be an important factor in weakening the animals’
immune response.
Captive orcas have poor dental health compared to wild whales, which
may be another factor in their susceptibility to fatal infections.
Orcas in captivity are more aggressive toward each other than in the
wild. Females also behave abnormally toward their calves more often
than in the wild.
Since captive orcas have been publicly displayed, they have
seriously threatened the lives and safety of dozens of people, and four
people have been killed. However, wild orcas have injured only a handful
of people — none seriously — and there are no records, at any time in
history, of them killing anyone.
It is their responsibility to bring in hard, conclusive and undeniable information that makes their point.
They cannot. They have over and over again, but you choose not to see it, you choose to look for reasons it cannot be so and then look for reasons that the people presenting the evidence must have some agenda. The agenda is that science is proving that it is wrong to keep these animals captive.
Taking YouTube videos out of context is not proof. A disgruntled,
terminated, ex-employee's story from 20 years ago is not proof,
especially when more relevant and direct witnesses directly refute the
claims. Where are the more relevant and direct witnesses refuting the claims? Where are their scientific documents showing that those presented are incorrect?
There is no data point that proves marine mammals are unhappy or
abused in zoological facilities. In fact the data shows SeaWorld’s
animals are provided for physically and mentally with the top teams in
the world attending to their well-being. Individuals with knowledge of
marine animals and behavior go to SeaWorld and see well-fed, engaged
animals participating in top tier training.
Experts in the eye of the court - if you will. Many of those experts have also written against the captivity of these creatures, but again you don't cite any and only choose to see what you want to see. In the recent debate, even Seaworld vets agreed that collapsed dorsal fins are caused by captivity, there isn't enough water pressure or activity to keep them upright. He also said that the Seaworld website WAS misleading as they had used data by Ingrid Visser who studies New Zealand orcas to state the rate in the wild is 23% collapse, when in reality it is only 1%. That poor man had to stand up in the debate and admit Seaworld had done that, if they hadn't have lied and mislead people in the first place that wouldn't have happened.
The allegations of abuse and neglect are coming from those with an
agenda. An agenda to make you a pawn. A pawn to raise money. A pawn to
achieve political ends. A pawn to increase power and influence. It's an
age old story. I have no money to raise, those protesting Seaworld outside have no money to raise, the scientists on Blackfish who you call activists but whom I have proven to be actual scientists have no money to raise. So where do you get that idea from?? On the other hand, from this side of the fence, is Seaworld going to tell you 45 orcas have died in those tanks, are they going to show you their orca profiles, showing over 100 incidents between orcas and trainers, are they going to admit why they breed hybrid orcas with no conservation value what so ever, and are still doing it today with Kalia?? No of course they're not as they do want your money, as they are going under fast.
And as for the supposedly expert “former trainers,” each comes
prepackaged with their own stories of conflict, egos and self-serving
attitudes to prove their interest in SeaWorld’s downfall stems much more
from self-interest than a noble quest to help animals. Why did they leave then and how does their stories differ from those of Bridgette Pirtle who you have writing for Awesome Ocean. They have stuck to the same story over and over again, has your heroine?
The bottom line is that the statement “but orcas CAN’T be happy in
tanks, I just know it!” carries no more weight then “but he HAS to be
the murderer, I just know it!”
It's textbook logical fallacy and bad lawyers use it all the time to try and trick a jury.
No one I know has said that, everyone I know has done exactly the same as I do, they are not supposed to be in there because of ........ Tilikum reacts to stress in his environment aggressively , Seaworld say so here . Daniel Dukes had injuries consistent with being pulled into the pool by Tilikum, here is the evidence etc etc. Most people supporting Seaworld do exactly as you have done here and provide absolutely nothing to prove what they are saying. where in this whole article have you put, the trainers said ''quote'', the science is wrong because ''quote'' TO QUOTE YOU YOURSELF - THINKING PEOPLE LOOK TOWARDS EXPERTS AND FACTS.
Well start to provide some as once again this is just your opinion supported by nothing in an attempt to win support from the people on Stand with Seaworld. It is not those sheep you need to convince, there is no point preaching to the converted, if you want to convince people like myself that everything is brilliant at Seaworld than start to provide factual evidence to do it. I have NEVER blocked my blog, my facebook or my twitter, it is always open to anyone who wants to debate something, maybe you should start to extend the same courtesy in return. You may not always like the answers but a FACT IS A FACT which ever side of the fence it is on. Are you that gullible? Read through the FACTS, look in the mirror and ask yourself that question!
I think this time Awesome Ocean have completely stepped over the mark.
Whether Seaworld are panicking, Eric Davis is panicking or whatever the reason to attack someone like this over what they believe is really out of order.
The other side of this is, for some reason Eric seems to believe that people protest at Seaworld because Ellen says so, how wrong can someone be lol.
His closing statement is
Welcome to the world of the people who brought you the movie
Blackfish. The people who say anything to get you to conform to their
world view.It is time that we stop listening to radicals and start listening to
reason. While she is out screaming and handing out thousands of pounds
of literature, places like SeaWorld are donating millions to save the
Southern Resident Killer Whales and other marine animals and personally
rescuing tens of thousands more.
So who's telling the truth?
Who's the real animal hero?
I think it is about time someone told Eric why people protest Seaworld and seeing as Blackfish is such a massive issue to him, I will ignore it altogether.
The reason people protest Seaworld is because of Seaworld themselves, some of those reasons are below. Remember Blackfish won't be mentioned at all so it takes it completely out of the equation so people like him cannot use it as a divertion from what people know has gone on in those tanks, Blackfish wasn't thought about until after Tilikum killed Dawn and came from that incident, people however have been protesting Seaworld long long before then.
Firstly all these incidents have happened between trainers and the killer whales, all prior to the incident in 2010. As you can see Seaworld's own animal profiles are linked to them, the incidents where it says bumped etc, are not passed off as nothing, they were deemed serious enough to be recorded by Seaworld themselves on their own Animal Profiles. These incidents were not recorded by activists they were recorded by Seaworld including the one with Tilikum and Dawn.
See them all with their links here
Next, Seaworld has and still does collaborate in the wild caught industry. In 2012 they applied for a permit to import a Japanese dolphin. Last year they took a pilot whale called Argo from the same park. This is not ancient history as Seaworld would have you believe this is current.
In 2001, SeaWorld Orlando supplied Ocean Park in Hong Kong, China with
California sea lions and Harbor seals. Ocean Park HK buys dolphins from
Taiji and has been linked with the recent Russian captures.
They are also named as recipients in the Georgia Aquarium importation of Belugas, taking more of the Belugas than any of the other parks. This is also current.
On this link you can see the Taiji drive hunt has never been tradition and Seaworld collaborated with these people at that time. Worse still is that they thought the lie that they were 'rescuing' these creatures from slaughter would suffice, when in reality everyone knows that it is the captive industry keeping this drive hunt alive, if it wasn't for the captive industry there would be no hunt. Seaworld were not rescuing them at all they were perpetuating it.
Old newspaper reports also show that Seaworld played down or tried to hide the incidents happening in their parks. Daniel Dukes was passed off as a drunk drug fuelled vagrant who jumped into the wrong tank. This too was far from the truth and Seaworld still maintain they do not know Tilikum's involvement. Daniel Dukes autopsy report shows a completely different story, it shows both pre and post mortem injuries, his scrotum was completely torn off and on reporting about his parents lawsuit against Seaworld the press stated ''The lawsuit contends that puncture wounds on Dukes leg and foot are consistent with him having been pulled into the pool by Tilikum''. Many years later Tilikum once again pulled a someone into the water, so this could actually be the case, but no transparency has been forthcoming from Seaworld.
Next there is the gene pool. In the wild it has been proven from DNA sampling that a transient and a resident orca have never interbred, nor have members of differing groups, i.e. Icelandic and Southern Resident, the only cross breeds like this are in Seaworld tanks. As an institution who supposedly promote conservation, why would they breed animals with no conservation value what so ever as they have no equivalents in the wild. These animals are condemned to a life of captivity as they can never be released into the open ocean for fear of them contaminating the wild gene pool.
As we know Kalia is currently pregnant as Seaworld have a research team there, why would they allow that as Kalia is also a hybrid orca.
Trua - Icelandic - mother Takara (Icelandic C) Father Taku (Katina, W Tilikum both Icelandic W)
Nalani - INBREDIcelandic mother Katina (Icelandic ) Father Taku - (Katina, Tilikum both Icelandic)
Malia - 2nd Generation HYBRID C - mother Taima (Gudrun Icelandic/ Kanduke Transient) Father Tilikum
Makaio - Icelandic C - mother Katina(Icelandic W) Father Tilikum (Icelandic W) Corky 2
- Northern Resident wild all 7 calves deceased
Kasatka - Icelandic wild Ulises - Icelandic wild caught 1 calf by AI to Wikie in France
Orkid - HYBRID - mother Kandu V (Icelandic wild) Father Orky 2 (A5 Northern Resident wild)
Keet - 2nd Ge HYBRID - mother Kalina C (Hybrid KatinaW/WinstonW) Father Kotar (Icelandic)
Shouka - Icelandic Captive - mother Sharkan (Icelandic wild) Father Kim 2 (Icelandic wild)
Nakai - Icelandic - mother Kasatka (Icelandic W) father Tilikum (Icelandic W) Ikaika - Icelandic C - mother Katina (Icelandic W) Father Tilikum (Icelandic W) Takara - Icelandic CAPTIVE - mother Kasatka (Icelandic W) father Kotar (Icelandic W) Kalia - HYBRID - mother Katina (Icelandic W) Father Winston (Southern Resident W)
Makani
- HYBRID - mother Kasatka (Icelandic W) Father Kshamenk (Unknown pod W)
Kyuquot - Icelandic C - mother Haida 2 (Icelandic W) Father Tilikum (Icelandic W)
Unna - Icelandic C - mother Katina (Icelandic W) Father Tilikum (Icelandic W)
Tuar - 2nd generation HYBRID C - mother Kalina C(Hybrid Katina/Winston father Tilikum W
Sakari - Icelandic - mother Takara,(Icelandic C) Father Tilikum (Icelandic W)
Kamea - HYBRID - mother Takara (Icelandic C) Father Kshamenk (unknown pod W)
Skyla - 2nd generation HYBRID C - mother Kalina C(Katina I/Winston SR) father Tilikum W
Kohana - Icelandic C - mother Takara C (Icelandic) Father Tilikum (Icelandic)
Tekoa - 2nd generation HYBRID C - mother Taima C(mother Gudrun Icelandic, father Kanduke Transient) Father Tilikum Keto - 2nd generation HYBRID C - mother Kalina C(Katina I /Winston SR) father Kotar (Icelandic W) Adan - 3rd generation INBRED HYBRID C - mother Kohana (Icelandic C) Father Keto, Hybrid C
Morgan - wild caught
Disease - Seaworld state their facilities are free from Pathogens, Bacteria, Diseases found in the wild. This is also NOT TRUE. The necropsy reports for their deceased orcas show a totally different picture. Fungus infections, abcess's, stress ulcers, Viral Leptomenigitis, Candidiasis, numerous deaths from pneumonia, Zygomycosis. The links to the necropsy reports can be see here Recent reports state Most cases of marine mammal pneumonia have significant bacterial involvement, and most organisms cultured from terrestrial species have been identified in marine mammals. Pneumonia often can be considered the result of mismanagement. Here
So as you can see it is NOT TRUE that those tanks are a better environment for those orcas at all.
When Dawn died Seaworld were adamant and pretended to be upset that they were being accused of blaming Dawn for her own death. When copies of court transcripts were made public, this is what was said. Jeff Andrews BLAMED Dawn for her own death!!
In 2006 Seaworld sent 4 'excess' orcas to Loro Parque.What made Skyla, Keto, Tekoa and Kohana, 'excess'? Whilst trying to do some recent damage control Seaworld had Wendy Rameriz release a video stating, 'why would we do that' when discussing the separation of Takara, Kasatka and Kohana. Well why would you do that as the physical evidence is there for all to see Takara lives in the USA and Kohana was sent to Spain???
Seaworld gave excuses for Tilikum, but what excuse is there for Keto killing Alix Martinez, he is a Seaworld orca born and bred, Alex had been for training at Seaworld San Diego, he was under the supervision of Brian Rokeach, competent Seaworld trainer and Julie Scardina said Seaworld supervised every second of the day at Loro Parque so what reason does Seaworld have for his death? It wasn't until the death of Dawn that people started really looking into it, it was swept under the carpet and had Seaworld taken the trainers out of the water as they did after Dawn's death, then Dawn would still be here, so what is the excuse? The events of that day and leading up to his death can be read here
Babies having babies and separation
No matter how hard Seaworld protest, the physical evidence of mothers being separated from their offspring is there for all to see.
Females typically gave birth to their first viable calf at 14.1 years of
age (SE=0.050; range 10-21 years) and those that survived produced a
total of 4.7 calves at mean intervals of 4.9 years (SE=0.18; range 2-11
years) over a reproductive lifespan typically lasting about 24 years.So why do Seaworld orcas to be pregnant at only 6 years old???
The videos Seaworld released trying to address this issue were absolute lies, you can see why here
The list of reasons people protest could go on and on, but as you can see none of them have anything what so ever to do with Blackfish, they have to do with 45 dead orcas in 50 years, 243 dead dolphins in 50 years, orcas being named the same thing so as to deceive the public when one died, Canuck, Canuck2, Nootka 1 to 6, Orky 1 and 2, Corky 1 and 2 etc and that is the reason all the orcas are called Shamu as the deaths were so regular and in the early days the paying public could not tell when one was replaced. I would dare say that today, some of the day visitors wouldn't be able to tell from a distance either. As for the dolphins, they are more alike than the orca's and no one could tell how regularly they were being replaced the numbers show an average of 5 per year. It doesn't matter whether they were reported to the officials or not, the deception was for the public not for those working with or being reported to.
The previous trainers - taking the Blackfish trainers out of the equation again there is this from former trainer Bridgette Pirtle (now Davis) In this article she states
This from a trainer who writes for Awesome Ocean, and who Seaworld supporters trust and like. She may well have fallen out with Blackfish the movie, but this statement isn't about Blackfish it is about her feeling towards Seaworld' itself and states many of those taking care of the animals are fighting for the same.
As you can see from the picture here people have been protesting since the days of Namu. In the UK dolphinariums closed in the 90's due to pressure from activists and scientists were listened too and they knew way back then that this wasn't the right environment for these cetaceans.
Seaworld and people like Eric has kept the focus on Blackfish, not the activists, that movie was just the catalyst for those who didn't know before. Seaworld know what the issues are as they have changed their visuals away from the orcas who used to dominate their websites, to rescues. This again is another diversion tactic as although rescues are to be commended no one has ever protested them and they have nothing what so ever to do with the plight of those captives.
Then there is as in this article Eric has written about Ellen, the attacks on anyone who tries to put forward scientific or researched information. As you can see here, every one of these people have been called activists or extremists. They are proven scientists and whale researchers, unlike Seaworld when Blackfish asked them for their opinion they gave it, had Seaworld done the same when they were asked would they also be activists then???
Lastly lets take a look at some of the things Eric has done, this also involves Ellen below.
On his Stand with Seaworld facebook page he organised the Protest the protestors event
This was the result of that once again you can see Ellen here with the policemen.
Ellen being abused by one of his protestors
and again
ellen with police whilst watching the protestors continue their abuse
Even the police couldn't hide his amusement at this idiot.
This was the culminating video, those who frequent Stand with Seaworld will recognise the people involved
Eric Davis at the protest the protestors event.
I think it is ridiculous for Eric to be calling Ellen who at the end of the day organises peaceful protests, when his two attempts at organising protests to protest her have ended up with abusive behaviour like this. Are these the sort of people Seaworld support??
Along with the event above and the bullying below, Is this really the sort of person you associate with.
Once again Blackfish the movie hasn't entered into any of the evidence provided as people like me don't need it, as we know there are hundreds of reasons people protest and people would still protest if the film had never been made. The people who do need Blackfish are people like Eric so they can use the film as a diversion tactic, find people to try to discredit and try to blind anyone who did support Seaworld who now wants to find some facts of their own. Those facts are in Seaworld's own animal profiles, their own necropsy reports, in autopsy reports and court transcripts and I hope you take the time to read them above even if it doesn't change your mind, an informed decision is much better than a blind one.
As Eric said himself
''So who's telling the truth?''
Check out the links to all the documents above and find out for yourself!!
The leader of the anti-SeaWorld movement in San Diego.
Want to get to know who's behind the protest at SeaWorld San Diego
each week? Want to know who will say anything to convince you of her
crusade?
Meet Ellen from San Diego. If you live in the area, you may recognize
her from TV. She has perfected screaming in righteous indignation. She
has the all important bull horn - a staple in the activist tool bag.
She's the leader of the protests in front of SeaWorld San Diego.
She'll do anything to force her world view on you.
Why would someone engage in that kind of activity? The better question is, why would you follow this person?
While sympathizing with Ellen in the wake of viewing the movie
Blackfish may seem easy, the truth behind her activism may prompt more
regular people to reconsider her version of the truth.
You see, like most of the activists feeding misinformation to the
public about SeaWorld, it's not really just about one righteous cause.
It's about forcefully seeking to change the way everyone lives because she knows better.
Ellen spends her weekdays hassling train riders who eat foods she
doesn't approve of. She plasters stickers and radical vegan pamphlets
all over stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Her zealous passion is at best frightening because she demands all others adopt the lifestyle she adopted in 2011.
Does that sound like someone who would let truth or objectivity stand
in the way forcing you to change your behavior? For radicals, the ends always justify the means.
Obey.
So aside from SeaWorld, we want to share with you the most likely places you would encounter Ellen and her radical gang: Joan Rivers died? Eh, good riddance You will find her outside McDonald's You will find her outside KFC You will find her outside the San Diego Zoo You will find her inside In-N-Out Burger You will find her outside Wal-Mart You will find her on the train You will find her at a Trader Joes You will find her outside a Farm You will find her outside a Movie Theater You will find her outside a Circus You will find her outside a Department Store You will find her outside the Horse Tracks
Ellen and her radical group are not content with people making their
own choices, they will only be satisfied when everyone complies with
their lifestyle, their world view, even if that means passing laws.
There is no middle ground with Ellen, there is no compromise. Ellen
isn't alone, and she isn't unique, she represents the radical fringe of
the animal rights movement.
Is there anything she won't protest?
Welcome to the world of the people who brought you the movie
Blackfish. The people who say anything to get you to conform to their
world view.
It is time that we stop listening to radicals and start listening to
reason. While she is out screaming and handing out thousands of pounds
of literature, places like SeaWorld are donating millions to save the
Southern Resident Killer Whales and other marine animals and personally
rescuing tens of thousands more.
So who's telling the truth?
Who's the real animal hero?
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