Blackfish, SeaWorld, dolphins and the food chain... This might get ugly :-)

[theclemsonkid]

My little hometown of Massillon, Ohio just announced that a $55 million Water Park/Aquarium will be built starting in a few weeks, opening in 2015. If you're interested in the details of what they are going to be, see http://www.cantonaquaworld.com/ for all the specifics. Anyways, it's supposed to be a hybrid of both a waterpark (slides, pools, water playgrounds, etc) and an aquarium (with sea lions, crocodiles, dolphins, fish, etc) including hands on exhibits, and what they are calling "therapeutic" mammal services.

As would be expected, a ton of locals are really excited for the project, while a select vocal minority are already trying to organize boycotts and "rally-against-the-man" protests.

I figure of all places that a good discussion about marine life would work, would be this forum. So here are a few questions:
1. Do you think any animal held captive out of its natural environment is wrong? If so, why?
2. Are you ok with animals being used for entertainment purposes? If not, why?
3. Have you seen "Blackfish", and do you think that it is an accurate portrayal of places like Sea World?

4. Do you believe in the "we're at the top of the food chain, therefore call the shots" mantra?

 

[jay0705]

I keep sw fish. Most are collected from the wild. Iam not a fan of this, however its the way it is for now.
Now w whales, dolphins, ect I feel unless there rehab or captive raised they should be left in the wild. There is no way we can make a 20 foot animal happy in even are largest tanks at such parks. To us its like putting a tank in a 10 gal. They need room to swim.
As far as entertainment, isnt that why we keep aquariums? They entertain us.

 

[beth]

I think the time for circus style entertainment use of animals is long passed. So using animals to perform tricks or displayed in shows just needs to be retired. I would also agree that keeping large mammals in aquariums is questionable, particularly whales, but also dolphins. I recently went to the Georgia Aquarium which houses belugas, dolphins (in a shows), and whale sharks. Animals too big for aquariums.

I did see Blackfish and it was a one-sided documentary, but I do think the point being made is valid. We should not take anymore large marine animals from the wild except to rehabilitate injuries. Shows should be phased out completely.

 

[jay0705]

Agreed. If people want to touch the animals, get a wet Suit and take a swim. People swim w great whites now. I wouldnt lol but society has come along way

 

[reefraff]

I am OK with it. Also with performing animals and circus acts as long as they are treated well. Unless they are taking endangered species like some of the whales out of the wild it isn't hurting anyone including the animals assuming they are treated well.

 

[darthtang aw]

1.  Do you think any animal held captive out of its natural environment is wrong? If so, why?
No

2.  Are you ok with animals being used for entertainment purposes?  If not, why?Yes, how many here teach their dogs tricks?

3.  Have you seen "Blackfish", and do you think that it is an accurate portrayal of places like Sea World?

Saw it. It is obviously Biased but does raise some decent questions.
4.  Do you believe in the "we're at the top of the food chain, therefore call the shots" mantra?

isn't that the point of being on top?