Dawn Brancheau, the head trainer at SeaWorld was the ultimate star trainer with her dream job. She was a very physically fit, motivated, extremely experienced, and a safety conscious trainer. Dawn was an all-around whale lover and respected employee. Having trained with SeaWorld since she was eighteen years old, she had developed many strong connections with the whales and had an especially close relationship with SeaWorld’s biggest male whale, Tilikum. Dawn specialized in her amazing dives and encounters with the whales during the “Shamu” shows. On February 24, 2010, however, everything went wrong. In the earlier shows of the day, an audience member states that the whales seemed tense and were misbehaving. They refused to do many tricks and behaviors; this made head trainer Dawn stressed and even more determined to perform well in the afternoon shows. In the later show, Dawn managed to execute the “Dive with Shamu” performance with Tilikum. After the show, Dawn had her post show personal session with Tilikum. This involved rubbing the whale's back and rewarding the whale for his wonderful performance. Dawn was with Tilikum in the back pool rubbing Tilikum's tummy, oblivious to the event that was about to occur. Suddenly, when Dawn laid down on the ledge of the pool, Tilikum pulled her left arm into the water. She was then violently pulled under the water. The whale dragged her through the water with a bold force, spinning, and thrashing her. Sadly, Dawn was unable to escape the attack and was killed. After the attack happened, Tilikum would not let go of the body. Other trainers had to draw the whale away with food and nets. When they finally removed the body from the water, Dawn's body was seriously damaged. The autopsy showed that her scalp had been detached from her body, her right arm had been twisted over her shoulder, her spine was twisted, her left arm was missing, and she had several fractures to her body (Blackfish). This was a heart breaking and devastating event that has changed SeaWorld forever. Is the entertainment really worth the cost? 

The magical amusement park with marine animals, known as SeaWorld, comes across as an exciting aquatic adventure, but what many people do not know is the hidden problems with SeaWorld’s Killer Whales. Captivity of Killer Whales is extremely cruel and leads to endless problems with the whales. These problems include bath tube size tanks, negative health effects, aggressive behavior, and an unhealthy environment for the whales. SeaWorld needs to be stopped holding whales in captivity due to their mistreatment of these whales. In the end, all SeaWorld cares about is making revenue and profit from these money­making and fascinating animals. To solve these issues in SeaWorld, the government must implement standards regarding size of killer whale tanks, ban breeding in SeaWorld, stop the Shamu shows, and create sanctuaries for the whales. These actions will ultimately lead to the end of Killer Whale captivity in SeaWorld. 

One major problem of having Killer Whales in captivity is the harsh environment in which they live in. The tans the Killer Whales swim in are so incredibly small. The dimensions of a tank at SeaWorld Orlando are 36 feet deep, 220 feet long, and 70 feet wide. To better understand this from a human’s perspective, the tanks are like large bathtubs that humans would use bath in. Can you imagine spending your life in a bath tub? Killer Whales swim up to 100 miles a day; with tanks that are so small it is impossible for them to get the exercise they need. “At SeaWorld, you would have to swim the circumference of the main pool 1,400 times to match the distance in the wild” (“End Captivity”). The big question is why does Sea World not have bigger tanks for their whales. This is mainly because funding a huge renovation of adding hundreds of feet on to these tanks is so expensive. Finding the money for this is very difficult. It is also hard to find space for the tanks. All SeaWorld’s: Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio are built in large cities; it is difficult to find space for these tanks being in an urban environment. Other than small tanks, the whales in SeaWorld are put under a large about of stress to perform well and participate in the shows. According to the documentary, Blackfish, early forms of SeaWorld used to withhold food from the whales until they performed the correct trick or jump. SeaWorld also holds some whales in a smaller waiting tank before a show if a particular whale is not getting along and being aggressive (Blackfish). This is cruel because whales should not be neglected food and interaction with other whales. Killer Whales are a very interactive species and travel in pods. Isolating whales makes them depressed and can cause aggression. 

Due to this stressful environment, whales are becoming aggressive towards each other and trainers. Whales are aggressive towards each other out of fear of other whales higher up on the social ladder. If they are having conflict with another whales, their natural instinct is to escape. When they have nowhere to run and cannot swim away they get cut, ranked, or rammed against the tank by another whale higher up on the social ladder (Anderson). For example, “In one particularly brutal example, Kandu V, a female orca at Sea World of California (SWC), bled to death after 11.9 years (4332 days) in captivity when an artery was severed at the upper jaw. The wound was self-inflicted as she collided with another whale in a display of dominance. Over the next 45 minutes, and in view of the public, she slowly bled out, spouting blood from her blowhole until she died” (Zimmermann). Another example involving aggression is shown here, “This year at SeaWorld, two killer whales named Kalina and Kayla have not been getting along. When Kayla initially rammed Kalina, she put a gash right above her eye” (Zimmermann). These animals are having a huge amount of problems getting along with each other, a large reason being that they are in small tanks and have no space to go. Other then being aggressive towards each other, whales are aggressive towards trainers. SeaWorld has multiple incidents of trainers being killed or attacked. The most famous attack was when Dawn Brancheau was attacked my Tilikum at SeaWorld Orlando. Tilikum has involved in killing two other people. First, was a trainer at Sealand, Keltie Byrne, in 1981 when she fell into a pool with three orcas, one being Tilikum, and was drowned by all three whales. The other death was a pedestrian that snuck into Tilikum’s pool after SeaWorld closed and was attacked by the whale. Aside from three trainers being killed, there have been non-fatal attacks that have accrued. As blackfish documentary states, at SeaWorld San Diego, a trainer was swimming with a whale, when suddenly was pulled down multiple times to the bottom of the pool by his foot. This whale and trainer had been working together for years and had a developed relationship, yet this whale still had to the instinct to attack the trainer. The only reason the trainer survived was because he was a deep-sea diver. When he finally escaped the whale, he had to be put on oxygen and rushed to the hospital (Blackfish). In the wild, there has been zero reports of aggression towards humans (Blackfish). These whales are not meant to be swimming and training with humans; they are wild animals that cannot be predicted. If these whales were not allowed in captivity those three lives would have been saved along with the whales that have died at SeaWorld fighting with other whales. 

Aside from whales being aggressive they are experiencing negative health effects from being held in captivity. To start, Killer Whales have a big dorsal fin on the top of their body. In captivity these fins are collapsing, yet 1% of dorsal fins collapse in the wild. Male whales are more 100% apt to have collapse fins in captivity. This is because the whales do not have the correct amount of space to swim, which makes the tall fin unbalanced and causes it to collapse. It also can be from the unnatural dead fish diet that they are fed (“End Captivity”). Next, Killer Whales in SeaWorld are damaging their teeth. When the whales are kept in such small, cramped tanks the whales have anxiety, get stressed, or just bored. This makes them start chewing the sides of the tanks to try and get out. Chewing on the tanks not only causes damage to the walls, but results in many negative effects for the whale’s health. The chipped teeth may seem superficial, but having a hole in the mouth can lead an opening for infections to spread, which can be life threatening. These hollow teeth are not filled in and must be flushed and cleaned daily by staff to prevent disease. Flushing the teeth cause tremendous discomfort for the whales causing them to gnaw on their other teeth. Gnawing makes the other teeth cave in and puncture the mouth, resulting in a lifetime of pain for whales (Schelling). Lastly, Killer Whales are living significantly shorter lives in captivity. There are currently fifty-five Killer Whales in captivity. There are one hundred and sixty dead orca whales that were kept in captivity. Out of the hundred and sixty whales that died, zero died from old age. For example, Canuck(M), an orca at SeaWorld San Diego, died at the age of six, from a Kidney Disease. Sandy(F) at SeaWorld Orlando, died at the age of eleven from a cerebral hemorrhage. Katerina(F), at SeaWorld San Antonio, died at the age of ten from severe hemorrhage with a pneumonia infection. ("Deceased Orcas by Location"). In the wild, male orcas live up to an average of 30 years, maximum 50-60 years, and 46 for females, maximum 80-90 years (“End Captivity”). The question is why are whales dying so young in SeaWorld? There are several reasons, most include infection, disease, and unexpected premature deaths. Whales are more apt to catch a disease or illness in captivity and they often are not curable. For example, Tilikum, SeaWorld Orlando’s famous killer whale got sick suddenly and died of a persistent and complicated lung infection on January 6th, 2017. The infection suspected to be caused by bacteria that lives in the water and soil of zoological settings (Evans). As the information proves, SeaWorld is killing off these animals as they stay in captivity. There must be a change to protect these whales lives and value to our oceans.

Finally, there is a huge problem with the breeding program at SeaWorld. First, SeaWorld inbreeds their whales. Inbreeding is when animals mate with closely related animals. SeaWorld inbreeds their whales because the ratio of females is must higher, then males. For example, “Katina, the killer whale, was impregnated by her own son, Taku, in 2006. The calf, Nalani, is the first fully inbred captive orca” (Patton). SeaWorld is inbreeding mostly with Tilikum. Tilikum’s genes are in fifty five percent of all SeaWorld whales in captivity. This is wrong because not only will the whales all have similar genes causing health problems, but they are all at risk for inheriting behavior problems, like Tilikum’s aggressive behavior. Next, SeaWorld is breeding their whales way too early. This can potential cause a miscarriage. The healthy breeding age for Orca Whales is usually around fourteen years of age, but SeaWorld is having whales breed as early as eight years; this is not natural (Patton). Additionally, there has been twenty five broken bonds between mother and offspring, from SeaWorld’s breeding program. SeaWorld will take away the new offspring from its mother at a very young age. This is because mother and baby whales will not be able to perform well in shows if they are kept together. This is cruel and wrong because in the wild mother and baby whales stay together at least five years, most end up staying together all their life. Pods are a very close knit, social family like humans (Patton). Can you image having your child ripped away from when they were only one or two years of age? Taking away babies from mothers makes them depressed and deprived of their baby. According to the Blackfish documentary, when SeaWorld split up one mother and offspring, the mother was heartbroken. She would cry out loud moans and refused to perform for several days. Lastly, when orca whales are bred in captivity, there is a risk that the offspring will be rejected by the mother. For example, “In 1998, Taima and Tilikum (yep, that Tilikum) birthed Sumar. When he was three months old, Taima attacked and rejected Suma, causing Seaworld to ship him off to another facility, away from the only family he knew” (Patton). This is not common in the wild because the whales are naturally bred and have strong relationships with their offspring. Because of all the reasons stated above, SeaWorld should not be allowed to bred their whales. 

Due to the many problems of Orcas in captivity, there has recently been several changes and new laws to better the living conditions of the whales. The first regulation placed on SeaWorld was a banned on trainers swimming with whales. After Dawn Brancheau died from being attacked my Tilikum in 2010, SeaWorld was brought to court and fined sixty three thousand dollars by Federal regulation for violating safety regulations. As The Hill states, “The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia voted in a 2-1 decision to uphold safety requirements issued by the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2010 that prohibit SeaWorld animal trainers from getting too close to potentially dangerous killer whales” (Devaney). This means, as of April 11, 2014 SeaWorld trainers can no longer swim, do tricks with the Orcas during the show, or be in close proximity to the whales, unless there is a barrier between them. SeaWorld tried to appeal that ruling by stating that professional orca trainers were not at any more risk than professional athletes. They claimed trainers have a risk for injuries, just as in professional sports. Lucky, the federal government shut this down saying that Orcas are unpredictable wild animals that cannot be trusted. They also is history of too many past deaths at SeaWorld involving whales attacking trainers (CBS). 

Banning trainers from swimming with whales is a good start, but more action needs to be taken to create a better environment for the whales. One of these changes is expanding the Orca tanks. According to CNN in October 2015, “The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved SeaWorld's $100 million plan to double the size of its killer whale habitat, despite the pleas of animal activists to release the behemoths into the ocean(O’Neil). The project was called Blue World. Blue World was a huge renovation that constructed new orca tanks, with a new underground viewing, and doubled the size of the existing tank now (McCabe). There were mixed reviews of this project when it was in trial because some animal activities found it just a way for SeaWorld San Diego to make room for the new whales they are planning to breed. As stated in the quote, animals activist want the whales to be realized into the wild. This is not realistic because most the whales at SeaWorld were born there and have no experience living in the wild. Therefore, the whales would die if released. There is some proof of this back in 2003 when Keiko, the Free Willy Orca star, died. The Orca was released back into the wild after filming the Free Willy movies and found dead shortly after (Kirby). On the other hand, SeaWorld supporters thought the project was going to support the whales, making them happier, with more space. The whales wouldn’t have the same amount of space as they do in the wild, but it would make a big difference. Unfortunately, as of last year (2016), California Coastal Commission sent a letter to SeaWorld San Diego officially confirming that they will no longer be authorizing an expansion of the tank for the Orcas. This is extremely strange and disappointing because the CCC confirmed this renovation in the past. SeaWorld San Diego had planned to start working on the expansion in 2017, before it was cancelled. At the end of the day this was not SeaWorld’s fault, it was the California Coastal Commission. With the extra hundred million dollars SeaWorld now has lying around, they promise to incorporate new attractions that will better the Orcas. Hopefully in the future SeaWorld will get permission from the CCC to expand the tanks. 

Back when the California Coastal Commission approved Blue World project, they added a condition. The condition stated that SeaWorld San Diego would no longer be allowed to bred whales, stopping the breeding program completely. Even though the Blue Project has been terminated, the ban on breeding stays in place to this day and was recently made a state law called California Orca Protection Act, as of 01/07/2016. This act states that it is illegal to bred whales, keep orcas in captivity for any purpose (other than the existing whales), and transport orcas out of California (“California Legislation”). Banning breeding will stop separation of baby and mother whales, stop inbreeding in the parks, and prevent the Orca program from continuing at SeaWorld. The president of SeaWorld responded to this condition negativity, saying, “We are disappointed with the conditions that the California Coastal Commission placed on their approval of the Blue Project, and will carefully review and consider our options. Breeding is a natural, fundamental and important part of an animal’s life and depriving a social animal of the right to reproduce is inhumane” (McCabe). Breeding may be a fundamental and important part of an animal’s life, but it is not humane to strip baby orcas away from their mothers or to interbred whales. There’s nothing natural about this and it would never happen in the wild. Therefore, what SeaWorld is claiming is complete bull shit. The reason SeaWorld wants to keep their breeding program is not to for social or natural reasons, it is so they can continue the Orca program at SeaWorld and continue to make billons of dollars off animal cruelty. Where does this leave the Orca program? It doesn’t. There will eventually be no more Orcas in SeaWorld San Diego. The new law states that, “Orcas possessed prior to January 1, 2017 will be grandfathered in, and may be kept until their death” (“California Legislation”). This will be the last generation of Killer Whales at SeaWorld San Diego. Once all their whales die, it is illegal to breed or capture any more whales, so the program will be over forever(O’neil). It is hoped that SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Antonio follow with this decision.

There has been multiple reform and action taken against SeaWorld San Diego, but there needs to be change for SeaWorld at all parks. California, being an extreme liberal state, has many animal activists protesting and wanting change. Protects and awareness skyrocketed after Blackfish came out in 2013, making visitors much more educated on Orcas in captivity. This is why the California Orca Protection Act was created and passed. Unfortunately, this is a state law that only regulates California. SeaWorld has two other parks in the US, Orlando and San Antonito. In order to make sure that SeaWorld or any other organization will NEVER be able to hold Orca whales in captivity and therefore end all programs forever, Congress has introduced a bill called the ORCA Act or the Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act.  It was introduced in November of 2016. The bill was created by House of Representatives Congress man Adam Schiff. If the bill is passed it will be a federal law that will apply to all parks in the United States, making it illegal to have whales in captivity after this generation of whales (Schiff). The bill is still in the processed of being passed. We can hope that it will be passed in the future. Luckily, in March 2016, SeaWorld publicly announced a “Happening Now” video highlighting the new plans and reform of SeaWorld’s future. They stated that this will be the last generation of Orcas at SeaWorld and they will no longer be breeding whales at any of their parks. They also stated that they will be facing out of theatrical shows in SeaWorld San Diego in March 2017 and at SeaWorld Orlando, San Antonio in 2019 (SeaWorld parks and Entertainment). Why did SeaWorld do this without the ORCA act being passed? This is because SeaWorld wants to protect their image and is finally listening to the public. Sales have decreased ever since the documentary, Blackfish, came out. Visitors do not to pay money to see the whales suffering. 

Facing out of theatrical shows is a huge and exciting announcement from SeaWorld. The Orca show now at SeaWorld Orlando and San Antonio is called One Ocean. One Ocean is a glamorous, theatrical show with lights, fountains, sound effects, amination screens, with lots of tricks the whales perform, including slashing, flipping, and waving. This is a show that animal activists dislike and are protesting. They calm the show is unnatural, forcing the whales to do tricks so the park can bring in a large cash revenue. Because of these animal activists and public voice, SeaWorld San Diego has introduced a new show called, All Day Orca Play. All Day Orca Play is a brand new interactive show introduced at SeaWorld San Diego and started on March 18, 2017.  Guests will be able to get up close to the whales, ask questions, talk to orca behaviorist, and learn about the unique personalities of each whale. SeaWorld is trying to promote a more natural and interactive show. The show is temporary and will only last for two month until the new show, Orca Encounter debuts (Hessedal). As the “Happening Now” video stated, SeaWorld Orlando and San Antonio will be introducing the new Orca Encounter show in 2019. Orca Encounter is a new show that will focus on the natural behaviors and education of how whales interact in the wild. At the show, guests will learn about why whales breach, how whales hunt, and what the natural behaviors are like in the wild. This huge new change will include a remodel of the tanks. Removing the lights, aminations, and sound in the stadium and replacing it with rocks, trees, and waterfalls. This will make the tanks look more like where Orca whales live in the wild. SeaWorld is excited about this positive change and hopes that guest leave with a respect for these amazing animals (“Happening Now - SeaWorld Makes Huge Announcement”). This change is ground breaking! It finally shows that SeaWorld cares a lot about their whales and not just about making money.

In Conclusion, the Orca captivity era is coming to an end. Within fifty years there will no longer be any more Orcas in captivity. The power of voice and passion for these whales made it possible for SeaWorld to be forced to end their Killer Whale program. It is sad that over two hundred whales had to live their lives in SeaWorld, but we now know that no other whale will ever have to experience this. Additionally to the end of the program, SeaWorld has changed their mission statement on their website, saying they are now partnered with the Humane Society of the United States that will protect oceans and marine animals ("SeaWorld: Our Mission”).  This is huge because it shows SeaWorld’s shift from money makers to animal activities. Overall, we can learn from this mistake and use the knowledge learned to better our marine animal community to come.  
