Carlie Boudreaux

Ms. Coco
English 1001
30 April 2016
Audience: People interested in knowing more about SeaWorld and captured animals; animal
lovers.
Preface:
Orcas or killer whales have always been feared because of their size and of course, their name.
Then, in 1964 a theme park called SeaWorld made the enormous killer whale the face of a family
oriented themed park and a companion of its trainers. Since the opening of the park, there have
been a number of incidents that have forced people to question the captivation of orcas.
Throughout many years of studying orcas in both settings, in and outside of captivity, many
would agree that orcas simply do not belong in captivity for any reason at all.
Question1: If I had 2 more weeks to improve this draft I would focus on more detail on orcas in
the wild. I feel as though my paper focuses more on orcas in captivity, and lacks comparison to
those in the wild. Question 2: I have learned how to obtain the right kind of information for a
research paper. This IP has taught me about peer viewed journals and that Wikipedia is hardly
ever reliable. Along with my topic, I learned so much about it, and plan to keep this paper in
hopes of adding on in the future as a biology major.

Are Killer Whales Really Killers?

Orcas in Captivity at SeaWorld
History Behind Killer Whales
An orca, scientifically known as the orcinus orca, is a large toothed whale with distinct
black and white markings and an up-right dorsal fin. Weighing anywhere from 8,000 to 13,000
pounds, orcas linger in groups who hunt and live together. They are also known as a killer whale
and prey on seals and large fish.
Prior to March 21, 1964, orcas had never before been known to interact with humans.
Until four graduates from UCLA decided to open a theme park called SeaWorld with intentions
of creating a sea mammal based park. Making their first debut in 1964, the image of this blackand-white marine icon had been rehabilitated from fearsome killer to cuddly sea panda.
(Rose.1) SeaWorld quickly became a booming corporation.
What is SeaWorld?

SeaWorld combines amusement aspects with the educational and environmental

messages of a super-aquarium in 200 acres of rides, animal encounters, and thrilling shows.
(Hermine. 86.) The perfect family vacationing park is known for its tender and loving care
towards their captivated sea animals, specifically orcas. While visiting the park, you are able to
witness this connection between the trainers and the orcas during the performances. At
SeaWorld, you can hear all about how each of the animals were rescued for numerous health
reasons. In an article about SeaWorld, we read, SeaWorlds effort to save injured and sick
animals are reminders of the connectively and fragility of all life. (Hermine. 86)
Outsiders, like you and I, only know SeaWorld from what we see on television
commercials and shiny brochure covers. As a biology major, I cant help but think that there is
more to know about SeaWorld and orcas than what the trainers and employess tell us. What
happens to orcas that are kept in captivity at SeaWorld and how does human intervention,
specifically training and artificial habitats, impact their behavior?
Orca Habitat Comparison
Orcas in captivation are forced to live in pool-sized aquariums when normally, they live a
free, un-restricted life in the ocean. When in captivity, they are made to exist inside a
comparatively small concrete enclosure, less than one ten- thousandth of normal habitat size.
(Rose. 9) This is the lifestyle orcas must adapt to. In captivity, perhaps two orcas are arguing,
mating, or one is in labor, there is no where for the orca to flee. Not only are they confined to this
small space, but they must share that space with fellow orcas. This constant stress of living in an
incompatible group and a concrete tank causes them to lash out, enforcing danger on anyone
around. In a New York Times article we read a funny yet very truthful statement, If you were in
a bathtub for 25 years, dont you think youd get a little psychotic? (Catsouli. 1)

In addition to this habitat stress, orcas are also expected to act accordingly and perform
perfectly for every show. If an orca has a mess up during a performance, they are starved as
punishment (Hargrove. 98) Yet another reason orcas suffer with anger.
The aberrant behavior seen in captive orcas is suggestive of abnormal social and
psychological development of animals raised in or born into artificial social groups and
habitats. (Rose. 8) The aberrant behavior Rose speaks of could lead to a number of things.
The mammals could injure or kill their trainers, fellow orcas, their calves, or even themselves.
This rare behavior is their way of expressing frustration, anger, aggravation, and even sadness.
These emotions are not normal, whatsoever.
Another comparison is the orcas dorsal fin. While visiting the park, you might notice that
all of the orcas have a collapsed dorsal fin. You would probably assume that this is normal for
orcas because all dorsal fins seem to be collapsed at SeaWorld. Not accordingly. All orcas in the
wild have up-right dorsal fins that stand tall and straight, which is a sign of a healthy orca.
Whereas in captivity, we can only assume that the collapsed dorsal fin is a sign of an unhealthy
orca. (Blackfish)
Captive whales bake in the sun and suffer from sunburns and dehydration. Orcas in the
wild spend much of their time fully submerged. (Hargrove. 109) These sunburns are caused
because the pools have no covering and are not deep enough for the orca to be fully protected
from the sun. The burns are said to be covered with zinc oxide to shield them from the publics
eye (Blackfish.) Its obvious that these abnormalities would never occur in the wild because the
orcas can prevent it themselves.
The Evidence Behind the Controversy

There have been numerous trainer injuries to occur at SeaWorld. Tamar, Kandu, and
Takara are of the few orcas that have been known for vicious attacks. (Blackfish) However,
another orcas story will give you chills and make you question why these mammals lash out in
these horrific behavior acts. A male orca named Tilikum, nicknamed Tilly, is believed to be the
root of all controversy at SeaWorld. It is the brutal, yet truthful evidence to support everyones
claims on how captivation tampers with orca behavior.
Tilikum was captured off of the coast of Ireland in 1983, where he was then brought to
SeaWorld and featured in many shows. While there, Tilikum, along with two other female orcas,
attacked trainer Keltie Bryne when she slipped into the pool during a practice performance. Tilly
drug her to the bottom of the pool, using her as a toy between the other two orcas, until she
eventually drowned. This 1991 incident was the first in which a trainer was actually killed by an
orca. (Blackfish. Film.)
Eight years later, in 1999, Tilikum was documented for a second murder. Daniel P. Dukes
was found lifeless, laid over Tilikums back. Dukes was an intruder at SeaWorld who stayed after
hours to enter the orca tank. Autopsy results concluded his death was from hypothermia,
however, the thrashes and teeth marks found on his body tell us another story.
A six-ton killer whale has lived up to his name, killing a trainer at SeaWorld today.
(CNN reporter, Blackfish.) Number three and most heart wrenching incident yet. 40-year-old
senior trainer, Dawn Brancheau, was killed by Tilikum in 2010. Brancheau had been working
with Tilly for 19 years and was one of SeaWorlds best. Following their normal afternoon
performance, Dine with Shamu, Brancheau was rewarding Tilly with fish and a friendly rub
when he grabbed her left arm and drug her to the bottom of the pool in front of a horrified
audience. John Hargrove, previous SeaWorld trainer, said the Dawn was the most skilled and

experienced trainer amongst them all. Depicting that this could have happened to any of the
trainers. Her autopsy results concluded drowning and trauma as her reason of death. Although, in
clip from Blackfish we see a list of injuries she endured, including a broken neck, an unattached
left arm and left leg, she was scalped, and the list goes on. The day of her death, a member of the
audience told the press Tilly seemed to be agitated from the beginning of the show. (Blackfish)
SeaWorld employees have been known to blame the trainers for these incidents rather
than the orcas. Keltie Bryne was wearing the wrong shoes and Dukes frightened Tilikum because
he was in intruder. (Blackfish) So, their excuse for Brancheau was her ponytail. The CEO of
SeaWorld later said the Dawns ponytail confused Tilikum because uniform regulation called for
hair to be in a bun. Contradicting his statement, prior to Brancheaus attack, she was famous for
wearing a ponytail. (Blackfish.) Trainers, as well as visitors knew how dangerous Tilikum truly
was, the previous stories of Bryne and Dukes proved it. A New York Times article read,
Because of his size and the previous deaths, trainers were not supposed to get into the water
with Tilikum, and only about a dozen of the parks 29 trainers worked with him. Ms. Brancheau
had more experience with the 30-year-old whale than most. (2.) This infers that even the
trainers were hesitant and somewhat scared of Tilikum.
Four deaths (one not committed by Tilikum) along with countless injuries have occurred
at SeaWorld. Whereas, in the wild there has not been one account in which an orca has killed a
human being. (Blackfish.) No trainers have been allowed to be in the water with an orca since
Dawn Brancheaus death.
Because Tilikum is the largest orca at SeaWorld, officials still want to incorporate him in
shows. Therefore, Tilly is still featured in everyday performances, however he is not touched by

the trainers. He floats, lifelessly and alone, in a back pool at SeaWorld awaiting his next
performance. (Rose. 9)
Problems and Protest
The reason we know so much about what goes on at SeaWorld and with orcas is because
previous SeaWorld trainers have leaked information. These trainers became tired of pretending
like orcas can live normally in swimming pools and decided to do something about it.
Gabriella Cowperthwaite, along with ex-SeaWorld trainers, produced a documentary
called Blackfish in attempts to let the truth about SeaWorld be known. The documentary
discusses the captivation of orcas, human deaths inside the park, and orca health. Cowperthwaite
incorporated videos from surveillance cameras at the parks and interviews with trainers as well
to support her movement. The premiere of Blackfish at the Sun Dance Music Festival in 2013
sparked much interest and SeaWorld had many questions to answer.
The parks visiting rates dropped, income decreased, protest took place in front of the park
daily, and a lawsuit had just been enforced from Dawn Brancheaus death. (Blackfish.)
SeaWorld had no choice but to give the demanded answers.
In response to all of the protest, articles, and documentaries, SeaWorld is said to be trying
to evolve. Their first response was to enlarge the swimming pools and add a current in the water
so orcas could feel as if they were in the ocean. A CNN article also read, Responding to public
pressure, SeaWorld is no longer doing big flashy killer whale shows at its San Diego facility.
And it has just announced that it will no longer breed killer whales, often called orcas, in
captivity. (Safina. 1.) Implying that the orcas currently in captivity, will be the last at SeaWorld.
And the most recent orca shows involve no interaction with the killer whales and much more
with the dolphins.

Conclusion
Many people, myself included, believe that orcas belong in the wild. These sea mammals
are different than other animals that are able to be housed in tanks and pens. For example,
monkeys, tigers, seals, and so many others are able to live in constricted areas without distress on
their emotions or health. Orcas differ because they demand more than any facility could ever
give them.
I believe that the four graduates from UCLA had the right intentions when opening
SeaWorld, which was to save sea animals, house and care for them in an aquarium, and feature
them in performances. But, sadly and most probably with regret, once SeaWorld became a multimillion-dollar corporation, the orcas health and lives seemed to have been put on the back
burner.
John Hargrove who once trained orcas at SeaWorld, wrote a book called Beneath the
Surface. In his book, he wrote My job now is to tell the truth both the inspiring stories from
what was a story book career and the horror that emerged from the corporate exploitation of the
whales and trainers. (23.) He did just that in his informational book.
To somes disappointment and to others excitement, SeaWorld has ceased orca
performances and artificial insemination since the beginning of 2016. Even though the
corporation will suffer majorly, the orcas will finally be free. Hargrove said it better than I ever
could have when he wrote, Captivity is always captivity, no matter how gentle the jailer. (139.)

Work Cited
Associated Press. Whale Kills a Trainer at SeaWorld. 24 Feb. 2010. The New York Times.
Web. 4 April. 2016
Block, Hermine; Black Barry. See the World at SeaWorld. Podiatry Management. July. 2015.
Pictorial Journal Article. 4 April. 2016.
Catsoulis, Jeannette. Do Six-Ton Captives Dream of Freedom? The New York Times. 18 July
2013. Web. 16 Mar. 2016
Cowperthwaite, Gabriela. Blackfish. Magnolia Pictures, 19 Jan. 2013. Film.
Hargrove, John. Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond
Blackfish Volume 1. 24 March. 2015. St. Martins Press. 4 April. 2016
Rose, Naomi. 2011. Killer Controversy: Why Orcas Should No Longer Be Kept in Captivity.
Humane Society International and The Humane Society of the United States,
Washington, D.C. 16 pp. 2 April. 2016.
Safina, Carl. SeaWorld Should Retire Orcas. CNN U.S. Edition. 17 March. 2016. Web. 20
March. 2016