Orcinus orcas, better known as killer whales, live up to twenty-five years in confinement, however, killer whales in the wild have a life expectancy similar to a human living in a developed country (Blackfish). These animals are tortured from the day they are ripped away from their families in the ocean and brought to captivity in institutions such as SeaWorld. They are sentenced to life in twenty to thirty feet modules with zero stimulation and complete isolation, even though they have the social skills relative to a human (Blackfish). They are so similar to humans in intelligence, development, and social structure, yet they are not treated like it. At institutions such as SeaWorld, they are required to learn routines to entertain the human species in order to drive revenue for large corporations. Instead of ignoring updated research, humans should become educated about the similarities of killer whales to humans. Killer whales should be released from captivity due to decreased longevity of life, increased aggressive behaviors in confined areas, and the need to end corporate profit from consumer support of marine life as a source of entertainment.

Although killer whales are provided with constant veterinary care, a steady food source, and no predators or parasites in captivity, the record-high age for a captive-born whale at SeaWorld is twenty-five years (Rose 3). With these kinds of advantages, killer whales are expected to live a healthier life, however, they are dying much faster than any killer whale in the wild. Killer whales of the Northeastern Pacific population were studied and compared to humans, as the whales reached sexual maturity at around age fourteen and then reached a lifespan up to seventy to ninety years (Rose 1). Killer whales are very similar to humans in that they develop at relatively the same speed and take on similar social skills. Corporations such as SeaWorld are aware of these devastating statistics, yet take no action, because they have breeding programs that allow for new killer whales. It is unfair to take two-thirds of a life from another species in order to gain revenue and entertain an audience. If people were informed on the astonishing similarities of killer whales to humans, they would not support this decreasing quality of life for a species so similar to their own.

Research shows that killer whales are very similar to humans due to their high intelligence levels. Neuroscientist Lori Marino researched whale brains by using magnetic resonance scanners and discovered a paralimbic cleft found in their brains, not found in human brains. A paralimbic cleft, located near the limbic system, can be attributed to killer whale’s high emotional intelligence levels (Blackfish 25:55-26:20). With these capabilities, it is astonishing that humans would take a homologous species and profit off their abuse. Emotional intelligence is strengthened by social bonding and helps killer whales to adapt to their environment by recognizing the emotions of others. “In previous studies, they showed capacities in understanding symbolic language, in memory, in problem-solving, and in visual perspective”, Lori Marino establishes that through these discoveries, killer whales have become more similar to humans than even apes or elephants due to their intelligence levels (Rutkin). Humans can recognize themselves in mirrors at around age two, but killer whales can distinguish themselves in a mirror and understand complicated tasks at birth (Rose Ted Talk). Humans should be aware of these facts in order to increase public support for the release of these intelligent animals from confinement. Along with their high intelligence quotient, killer whales also have a definitive social structure that allows for healthy relationships within their families.

Killer whales social structure is a large reason why they are unable to survive in captivity. Orca families are much like human families in that each family has cultural differences, different diets, and communicate in different languages. Killer whales swim with their family for the entirety of their lives, even up to four generations. In SeaWorld, it was documented that when trainers separated a baby orca from its mother, the mother would scream long-range vocals and stay in one location in attempt to communicate with their child (Blackfish 37:40-39). In the wild, killer whales live in a matriarchal society, where there is little paternal care, however, the older the father is, the more responsibility they take on as a parental figure (Rose Ted Talk). Like humans, mating is encouraged in killer whale society, but the females experience menopause eventually, and are unable to reproduce (Rose Ted Talk). Due to this kind of research, scientists are aware of how similar these animals are to humans, which has raised even more attention to captive killer whales. They thrive in a family-oriented environment where they are able to establish trusting relationships. Ripping killer whales away from their families, isolating them in small enclosures, and ignoring their aggression prevents whales from gaining social behaviors and causes them to be violent.

Killer whales in the wild have never before shown acts of aggression or violence towards humans or other animals (Rose Talk Talk). However, in captivity, killer whales have shown a variety of aggressive behaviors, such as pushing, biting, breaking bones, lunging, drowning, scalping, and even murdering their trainers (Anderson 8). Like humans, killer whales are emotional animals. Due to genetic traits that allow for aggressive behaviors, killer whales have the capacity to turn on this gene and act violently towards others. Because of their inhumane environment and cold social life, killer whales in SeaWorld have a history of turning on this gene and injuring people as well as other killer whales. Even after catastrophic incidents involving trainers, SeaWorld continues to stay open and allow trainers in the pools with the animals. SeaWorld also continues to breed animals that have shown multiple signs of aggression. Tilikum is a killer whale that has killed three people in his time at SeaWorld, yet, SeaWorld has allowed his genes to be distributed many times. In fact, Tilikum has been bred with so many female killer whales that now over fifty-four percent of killer whales at SeaWorld has his genes (Blackfish 57:55-58:43). SeaWorld does not care about the safety of their employees or marine animals if they are willing to infest their parks with a gene that expresses violence in captive animals. SeaWorld is a large problem in the call to end captivity of killer whales as they ignore the uncharacteristic behaviors they display.

Blackfish is a movie that has recently been unveiled in order to expose the SeaWorld industry for their mistreatment of marine life. This film drew in attention due to the mass amount of ex-workers that contributed information about SeaWorld’s wrongdoings. With a first-hand view at what goes on inside the park, these workers were able to enlighten the world about the confinement and abuse of killer whales in these parks. Although researchers know a lot about killer whales currently, humans knew nothing about orcas thirty-five years ago (Ford 12). Most of the information that SeaWorld provided in their tour groups was made up due to lack of knowledge. Luckily, the launch of this movie created a steep decline in tourism and revenue for SeaWorld and challenged consumers to question SeaWorld’s treatment of marine life (Schoen). A large aspect of this movie was the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau. This experienced trainer was only kneeling beside Tilikum’s pool when he grabbed her hair and pulled her beneath the surface, where she was brutally scalped and drowned (Blackfish). SeaWorld decided to cover up this highly aggressive behavior of the whale and blamed the trainer for not having her hair in a ponytail. The blame should not have been placed on the trainer or the killer whale, but on SeaWorld, as they allowed this tragedy to occur. In captivity, SeaWorld workers are paid to inform consumers that their killer whales are all part of a family, however, each orca brought in has different genes and speak different languages (Blackfish 41:45-42:00). SeaWorld contributes to the misinformation and lack of knowledge that the public has regarding killer whales by telling lies and not updating their educational programs. 

Individuals who are uninformed about the mistreatment of marine life tend to make false claims, which promotes the downfall of marine life. Susan Davis wrote a book called, “Spectacular Nature: Corporate Culture and the SeaWorld Experience” that praised SeaWorld and their ability to incorporate entertainment and education into one commodity. She wrote about the challenges that SeaWorld has had to face since animal rights activists and environmental agencies have threatened their flow of revenue. This woman agrees with large corporations and their ability to house animals, stating that she thinks “ Most of the research and most of the effort at SeaWorld is put into keeping these whales healthy and performing, able to perform in captivity” (Davis). Even after all of the research and knowledge that has been discovered of killer whales, SeaWorld continues to tell fallacies and ignore the knowledge that researchers have updated. As a smart woman with a doctorate degree and entrusted with classes of college students, Susan Davis proves how uninformed individuals could allow corporations to slip through our fingers as a society. People must be informed about the treatment, intelligence, and storage of these animals in order to end the mistreatment of killer whales, especially in SeaWorld.

Informed individuals must be aware that due to breeding programs in industries such as SeaWorld, killer whales that have been adapted to SeaWorld pools would be unable to adjust back to a normal life. This is an important piece of information in the restoration and rehabilitation in captive whales, because they are not able to return to the wild. Whales in captivity have never had to hunt for their food or develop learned behaviors to allow them to survive in the wild. As mentioned previously, whales live their lives in small groups consisting of family members, and without family members to swim with, the whales would not likely thrive on their own. Marine mammal scientist Naomi Rose states that although killer whales are intelligent, social, animals, putting them in a tiny, concrete tank is like putting a dog in a kennel for its entire life without letting it walk or run. Because of this issue, scientists, animal rights activists, and welfare organizations are proponents of moving all captive killer whales to “sea pen sanctuaries”. This structure would be a large stretch of ocean enclosed by a net located in a bay or a cove (Ziv). Jared Goodman, director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is an advocate for this option, as it would allow for the whales to “experience the currents and swim and dive and interact with other ocean animals” (Ziv). This option is way more ethical than leaving captive killer whales to live out their miserable lives in small metal crates. Ingrid Visser, a scientist for Orca Research Trust, proposed a sea sanctuary with medical care around an existing island that allowed for visitors to view and learn about killer whales. This option allows for the research and education of killer whales, but takes away the dangerous aspect of swimming with them and also puts them back into their natural environment. Lori Marino, executive director of Animal Advocacy Center, has even planned out sea pen sanctuaries with an entire expert panel, choosing location, water flow, depth, and shielding from storms (Ziv). However, SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby says that sea pen sanctuaries would be a poor choice for the animals due to ocean debris, pathogens, and pollution (Ziv). He also highlights that America would lose out on the inspiring SeaWorld shows that draw attention to killer whales. Joel Manby is most concerned with how America is affected by the killer whales instead of focusing on how the killer whales are affected by SeaWorld.

Without action to prevent institutions such as SeaWorld from mistreating animals, this kind of treatment will be viewed as acceptable and other animals may be affected. For example, SeaWorld has recently partnered with the Pittsburgh Zoo in a polar bear breeding program. Due to a loss of sea ice habitat, polar bears have been placed on the endangered species list. SeaWorld claims that they are participating in a national effort to increase the numbers of the polar bear population, yet they are adapting polar bears into an environment where they will never again be able to return to the wild. SeaWorld is now sending one of their last polar bears, Snowflake, from SeaWorld San Diego to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium for breeding purposes (Molnar). Snowflake is being ripped away from her best friend, Szenja, who is being kept in San Diego to live out the rest of her life. PETA has now stepped into this business ordeal, notifying both institutions that they are mistreating these animals. Polar bears do not have nearly as much living space as they should be allotted, and they are not with other family members within their environment. Sound familiar? This abuse will only escalate if action is not taken by the public in order to stop the cruel treatment that SeaWorld displays. In order for support and action to occur, the public must be educated on the wrongdoings behind SeaWorld’s closed doors.

Killer whales should be released from captivity due to their mistreatment that has caused decreased longevity of life, increased aggressive behaviors, and support for institutions that promote this mistreatment. With updated research about killer whales, scientists are aware of their astonishing similarities in social behavior and intelligence in relation to humans. They travel with family members, speak in different languages, have life expectancies as high as humans, and sexually develop at relatively the same rate as humans. With these similarities to humans, it is understandable that killer whales would act out with high levels of aggression when placed in small, confined, areas that they are not made for. Institutions such as SeaWorld should be concerned with the rising levels of murder and injury caused by killer whales in confinement, but instead, they place the media spotlight on the inexperience of the trainers that work with the killer whales. Although the deceased are unable to defend themselves, thankfully, Blackfish, a movie created to expose SeaWorld, was able to shed light on the real problem. This movie helped prove to the public that captive killer whales are mistreated, and increased support for organizations such as PETA. With help from PETA, institutions such as SeaWorld will have to shut down their breeding programs and entertainment shows including marine life. Institutions such as SeaWorld should stop hiding behind the excuse of educational programs and research purposes, and instead, admit that the purpose behind their promotional tactics are to drive revenue for personal gain. It is public responsibility to advocate for the release of killer whales from captivity, because they are unable to speak for themselves. Marine life torture should not be promoted as a source of entertainment in order to drive revenue.
