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IT'S TIME TO EMPTY THE TANKS

11/22/2014

7 Comments

 
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A dolphin casts the illusion that it is always smiling. However, that’s actually just the way their jaw is shaped. In fact, they have as wide a range of emotions as humans do. Cetaceans are extremely intelligent creatures. Despite the fact that dolphins have paralimbic systems in their brain, that strengthen their sense of emotion, dolphinariums fail to acknowledge that keeping them in captivity is inhumane. Even though science has proven how cetaceans have evolved, dolphinariums and other marine parks continue to keep them imprisoned. 

For 50 years, SeaWorld has used marine mammals primarily for entertainment purposes, claiming it provides an “educational experience” for their visitors. But in reality, SeaWorld lies to their visitors and even their employees. They constantly argue that orcas live longer in captivity than they do in the wild. That is patently untrue. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), orcas typically live 30-60 years in the wild (females can live even longer). However, their lifespan is greatly reduced in captivity. Orcas are lucky to make it past the current average of 14.

In addition to flat-out lies, SeaWorld attempts to sugarcoat a variety of things. Cetaceans have extremely strong social bonds, and male orcas will often spend their entire lives with their mothers in the wild. Yet SeaWorld has callously separated 25 orcas from their mothers, transporting calves to completely different parts of the world. They claim the orcas trapped in their small tanks are a family, but that’s hogwash. An artificial collection of orcas from different geographic locations who speak different languages is no family. 

Jim Atchison, the CEO and President of SeaWorld, refuses to change the business model of his company, which many believe is a big mistake. Orcas may be a main part of SeaWorld’s business, but business models can change, and often for the better. SeaWorld has the potential to be an educational and fun amusement park, teaching people about the amazing biodiversity of the oceans and why it is urgent we do everything we can to conserve and protect it. Nonetheless, SeaWorld recently announced their plan to build bigger tanks for the orcas. Wrong path to go down, SeaWorld.

The next time you see a captive cetacean, remember that their expression can be deceiving. Look into their eyes and you will notice the suffering of an intelligent being. Facilities that hold marine mammals captive need to release those animals back into their natural habitats or sea sanctuaries and end their cruel breeding programs. Cetaceans do not belong in a concrete box. It’s time to empty the tanks!

7 Comments
Zach
11/22/2014 14:09:03

Thanks for all you do Anne! I'm so glad that we ran into each other and are working together. I know we will accomplish a lot! Keep on keeping on <3

Reply
Lucy N
11/22/2014 23:50:15

Well written. Interesting. Informative. Keep up the good work Anne!

Reply
Faye Seaton
11/23/2014 08:48:46

Thank you Anne for your dedication to helping wildlife ,the world needs people like you to speak for them .Keep up the GREAT work .

Reply
Beverly
11/23/2014 12:39:38

Anne, thanks for your activism. Your piece is well written. Good for researching and exposing Sea World's lies!

Reply
Rhonda
11/23/2014 15:34:42

Thank you Anne for exposing what $ea World refuses to admit. I'm very happy to see young people getting involved in this issue. I live in San Diego and its a hot topic here. Wishing you all the very best of luck in making change happen for the future of sea mammals.

Reply
Linda McGee
11/23/2014 18:18:24

Reply
laura clive link
11/24/2014 08:44:02

Empty the tanks now
!

Reply



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    Blog by 
    ANNE FLAHERTY
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    Anne is a high schooler activist from Massachusetts who recognizes the importance of protecting the environment, including all the animals within it. Anne has been vegan for almost a year, and considers it the most healthy and compassionate lifestyle to adapt. She is a volunteer for the non-profit organization Fins and Fluke, which is dedicated to marine life welfare and environmental health preservation. She believes taking direct action and educating the public is critical in order to save the environment and end animal cruelty.
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