Revenge At SeaWorld: Orca Attack Shouldn’t Come As Any Surprise

Marine mammal experts might not be exactly sure what prompted Tilikum, the orca at SeaWorld in Orlando, to grab a trainer, shake her around like a rag doll, and pull her under water, where she drowned, but I wouldn’t be surprised if rage played a role.

It’s tragic when anyone dies suddenly and traumatically, and my heart goes out to the trainer’s family, but is it really all that shocking when captive orcas “snap” and attack their “jailers?” These majestic animals are meant to swim free, not spend their lives in a virtual bathtub full of chlorinated water, performing tricks for human amusement.

Sign the Care2 petition asking for Tilly’s release today!

As I wrote in a previous post about SeaWorld, captive marine mammals are confined to tiny tanks that bear little resemblance to their natural homes. Even the largest pool in the world cannot come close to the vast open oceans where orcas and dolphins should rightfully live. In the wild, orcas swim up to 30mph and can travel at least 75 to 100 miles a day, but, in captivity, they are forced to swim in endless circles in barren 60‑foot concrete tanks.

Some researchers believe that orcas may be the most socially bonded creature on earth. In their natural habitats, they live in close knit family units. Both male and female offspring typically remain with their mothers for life. Captive orcas often die prematurely. In the wild, they have a 60-year lifespan, but captive orcas rarely even reach age 35. In marine parks, orcas often exhibit neurotic and aggressive behaviors.

SeaWorld says it is trying to “make sense” of the attack, but sensible people realize that keeping orcas in captivity makes no sense at all and is inherently dangerous. Tilikum was involved in two other deaths. After the current attack, Dr. Naomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist with The Humane Society of the United States, pointed out that whales are large, intelligent, long-lived, socially complex predators who often hunt cooperatively.

Whales aren’t giant wind-up toys meant to do tricks on command. They deserve respect and freedom. As long as we keep trying to dominate orcas and other marine mammals—and profit at their expense—we should expect them to rebel, displaying their natural power and exhibiting inexplicable behaviors beyond our understanding or control.

Steve McCulloch, the founder and program manager at the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Program at Harbor Branch/Florida Atlantic University, pointed out that Tilikum may have been playing, but that it’s hard to say for sure. “I wouldn’t jump to conclusions,” he said. “These are very large powerful marine mammals. They exhibit this type of behavior in the wild.”

And that’s exactly where they belong. Dr. Rose has suggested that Tilikum be retired to a sea pen in Iceland, much like Keiko, the “star” of Free Willy.

Fortunately, marine mammal acts are prohibited in a growing number of places. In Brazil, it is illegal to use marine mammals for entertainment; Israel has prohibited the importation of dolphins; and in England, consumer boycotts have forced all marine mammal exhibits to close. South Carolina banned whale and dolphin exhibits years ago; here’s hoping the rest of the country will now do the same. Caring people can help simply by boycotting SeaWorld and other marine parks.

It’s hard to say if all the captive orcas, belugas, dolphins, and other marine mammals, can be “rehabilitated” and released, but one thing is for sure: Aquariums and marine mammal parks must not continue to operate as they are.

Care2 has created a petition asking SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment President Jim Atchison to release Tilly and all other orca currently being held in captivity at the amusement parks. Tilly can’t be released into the wild because, thanks to his nearly three decades in captivity, he’s not prepared to face his own natural environment. But a sea pen would provide a much more pleasurable and natural environment for Tilly than his current “bathtub.”

Sign the petition to free Tilly and other orca from SeaWorld.

Read more: animal welfare, marine mammals, orca, sea world

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kathy G.

7:27AM PST on Feb 11, 2012

I totally agree. I do not think orcas should be kept in captivity. I walked out of an orca "show" 20 years ago & have not been to one since. I do think Sea World should rehabilitate injured orcas and other marine mammals and release them back into the wild. But I guess that doesn't pay the bills.

send a green star

Catherine D.

3:39AM PST on Feb 11, 2012

It is wrong to keep any sentient being in a cage.

These animals have committed no crime.

They were abducted from the ocean and sold into slavery.
They exist to provide amusement and profit for humans

What happens to them is the exact same thing that humans do to other humans to this day.

Evil exists because good people do nothing.
Slavery will end when enough people stand up and put a permanent stop to it.

Loesje v.

6:07AM PDT on May 28, 2011

Voted. It is very sad news and my deeply sympathy to the trainer's family.

Cindy C.

12:29PM PDT on May 15, 2010

YES THEY DO BELONG TO THE WILD AND MY GOODNESS WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO.

Kathy M.

6:10AM PDT on Apr 5, 2010

Tilikum acted out.He was desperate to end his routine,even if it meant ending a life.He needs to be retired so he can enjoy the rest of his life.I don't think I would enjoy spending the rest of my life locked in my car.

Helen H.

5:47AM PDT on Mar 20, 2010

These animals are far too big to be kept in captivity, and should be allowed to live free, in their natural surroundings.

Maneesha S.

4:42AM PDT on Mar 17, 2010

ALL THE ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY SHOULD BE RELEASED! It's extremely tragic how much stress and sadness feel this these wild creatures, being capt till death in small spaces!
We are the only beings in the planet who don't know to be ourselves, don't understand freedom anymore, WE NEED TO LIVE IN CAPTIVITY, ruled by governments, banks and social rich elites, having jobs, families, rules, prejudices, religions, laws and THE POWER OF MONEY!! We're the only specie who destroy the environment where we live, we're a shame for Mother Nature!
Maybe one day She will decide that we need to disappear for Earth to be saved!!
WHEN WE"LL WAKE UP, PEOPLE??

No fwd v.

7:30AM PDT on Mar 16, 2010

Signed this petition March.8

Bill K.

10:58AM PST on Mar 9, 2010

Keeping wild animals like orcas in captivity for purposes of conservation or education is just a poor attempt to excuse abuse and greed by humans. We can learn more about wild animals and how they live and are part of their environment by watching videos or taking naturalist-led excursions to see them in the wild. What we see in cages and swimming pools are sad, stressed-out animals that in no way represent the same animal in the wild. We see them perform tricks for food that in no way resemble natural abilities or habits. What we do see is how humans can dominate and terrorize another living being. Most of us support the preservation of whales like humpbacks, fin, and blue without us ever having seen one in a marine mammal park. These shows are about money. Nothing more.

Ron b.

12:11PM PST on Mar 8, 2010

Maybe the Orka wanted to play? The trainers play whit them all the time.