[Niamh.]

I think it's pretty awful the way they keep killer whales in captivity and force them to do tricks, I hope this news helps ban sea World and the like from keeping them in captivity

https://www.thedodo.com/recently-spo...=RebelMouse_fb
SeaWorld could be in trouble because of “Granny,” the world’s oldest known living orca. The 103-year-old whale (also known as J2) was recently spotted off Canada’s western coast with her pod -- her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But while the Granny sighting is thrilling for us, it’s problematic for SeaWorld.

First of all, SeaWorld has claimed that “no one knows for sure how long killer whales live,” when simple figures or even living and thriving examples -- like Granny -- can give us a pretty good idea. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation project estimates that whales born in captivity only live to 4.5 years old, on average; many of SeaWorld’s orcas die before they reach their 20s. Perhaps because of their reduced lifespans, the whales are forced to breed continuously and at perilously young ages, which could also diminish their overall health.

Another key aspect of an orca’s life -- which is missing in captivity -- is the ability to swim up to 100 miles per day. When Granny was spotted earlier this week, she had just finished an 800-mile trek from northern California along with her pod. According to animal welfare advocates, long-distance swimming is integral to orcas’ psychological health and well-being; SeaWorld, however, has gone on record claiming that orcas do not need to swim hundreds of miles regularly, ostensibly to defend the parks’ cruel practice of keeping massive, powerful orcas confined to cramped tanks.

Since Granny was first spotted (as early as the 1930s), she’s believed to have mothered two calves, who in turn have had calves of their own. (One of her grandchildren, Canuck, reportedly died at the age of 4 after being captured and held at SeaWorld). As her pod has grown, Granny has kept up with them -- without being separated through human intervention -- and traveled astonishing distances with her pod annually. Orcas at SeaWorld are routinely separated from their pods, which has been known to cause huge mental and emotional strain and can prevent calves from developing normally.

Granny doesn’t simply represent an impressive feat of nature; she embodies what’s wrong with SeaWorld by being a living example of what’s right in the wild. While it’s true that most wild orcas don’t live as long as Granny has, their lifespans are still dramatically longer than those of SeaWorld’s whales (the NOAA estimates that wild female orcas, like Granny, live an average of 50 to 60 years). Their lives are also filled with much more swimming, exploration, variety and bonding with family -- in other words, their lives are likely filled with much more joy.

SeaWorld and marine parks profit off keeping orcas and other marine animals in captivity -- despite evidence that captivity not only induces unnatural behaviors in whales, but also endangers trainers. Join us in pledging never to visit SeaWorld or other marine parks until they empty their orca tanks.

Youtube video

Anyone who watches this documentary, but still supports what sea world does will burn in hell.

[Niamh.]

That looks good jesus, I'll try to watch that, looks upsetting though

[Crimson Dynamo]

Seaworld
Zoos

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Seaworld
Zoos

Circuses

Bits of it are really hard to watch, but it's well worth it, as you'll be amazed and horrified.

[Niamh.]

When they're held in captivity their fins turn downwards as well

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Jesus.

Bits of it are really hard to watch, but it's well worth it, as you'll be amazed and horrified.

I might see about D/Ling it at the weekend, thanks

[GypsyGoth]

I don't mind zoos, well the ones that look after their animals and don't murder them.

However I do have a problem with the likes of seaworld, and I think the blames lies with the people who pay to see those shows, without their money the practice would end.

[Glenn.]

Everytime we've been to Florida we've been to Seaworld and although it's a good(ish) park I don't agree with it. I refuse to watch the shows with dolphins and whales.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

I don't mind zoos, well the ones that look after their animals and don't murder them.

However I do have a problem with the likes of seaworld, and I think the blames lies with the people who pay to see those shows, without their money the practice would end.

Yeah, i agree, Zoos are not the worst but Sea World and Circuses that still use wild animals in their acts are despicable, I would support neither. My kids have been to the circus but only ones that are animal free, they enjoyed it just as much

[Vicky.]

I kind of don't want to watch that blackfish thing, mainly because I have been to seaword a few times and really enjoyed it, and I will feel evil as **** :/

[Nedusa]

What crime did the whale commit to be imprisoned for such a long time ?

Glad she's finally free now

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Nedusa

What crime did the whale commit to be imprisoned for such a long time ?

Glad she's finally free now

She's not been imprisoned She's the oldest living Orca, the point is the average age they survive in captivity is 4.5 years which is a whole lot lower then what they do in the wild

[Nedusa]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

She's not been imprisoned She's the oldest living Orca, the point is the average age they survive in captivity is 4.5 years which is a whole lower then what they do in the wild

Oh.......Thanks Niamh, pardon my ignorance

[Z]

I got round to watching Blackfish the other day, it was very good and very informative. Makes you really resent SeaWorld and the like.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Jesus.

Youtube video

Anyone who watches this documentary, but still supports what sea world does will burn in hell.

10 mins into this and am nearly crying, and thats not even an exaggeration.

Spoiler:

On the bit about them catching the babies..and how the whales know whats coming so the males go off in one direction and the females and babies the other way to try and distract the boats..but it doesn't work as a helicopter is tracking the babies

[Benjamin]

I'm not a fan of zoo's/waterworlds.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

10 mins into this and am nearly crying, and thats not even an exaggeration.

Spoiler:

On the bit about them catching the babies..and how the whales know whats coming so the males go off in one direction and the females and babies the other way to try and distract the boats..but it doesn't work as a helicopter is tracking the babies

Hey you don't be upsetting yourself...

[Marsh.]

I watched it the other week. It is pretty sick.

[Vicky.]

Well that was awful. That Tilikum was apparently performing when I was there...

[Kizzy]

My son has been to loro parque Canaries, he was shocked to hear it was the same whale that had attacked and killed his handler...

'Puerto De La Cruz - Two months prior to the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau, another SeaWorld-owned orca killed trainer Alexis Martinez. The official incident report filed after the accident, revealed several concerns.
Martinez was working at Loro Parque in the Canary Islands when the 29-year-old was brutally killed by Keto, a 6,600-pound orca on December 24, 2009. His death barely made the press, and wouldn't until Dawn Brancheau was killed by Tilikum at SeaWorld Orlando two months later.'

http://digitaljournal.com/news/envir...article/369779

[Withano]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Seaworld
Zoos

I always think this when people express their hate towards seaworld, its pretty common practice to keep wild animals in captivity.

I'd ban them both if it was up to me though

[Withano]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Seaworld
Zoos

I always think this when people express their hate towards seaworld, its pretty common practice to keep wild animals in captivity.

I'd ban them both if it was up to me though

[Jessica.]

I just watched the Blackfish film, it was horrifying. I feel so bad for those poor animals.