103-Year-Old Orca Defies SeaWorld’s Claims

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.therainforestsite.com/103-year-old-orca-defies-seaworlds-claims/

(E petition) Free Captive Orcas From SeaWorld's Exploitation: Join The Boycott: http://therainforestsite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/trs/petition/BoycottSeaWorld

From the Youtube post: Published on May 14, 2014
From TheDodo.com: The 103-year-old orca known as J2 or "Granny" exposes SeaWorld's big lie about wild orcas, that they don't live much longer than those in captivity. Granny was recently spotted swimming with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren off the coast of Canada.

Read about why Granny is bad news for SeaWorld: https://www.thedodo.com/recently-spot...

Join TheDodo.com and use #BoycottSeaWorld to show your support for ending orca captivity.

CREDITS: "Blackfish" clip used with permission by Magnolia Pictures/CNN.



In the wild, orcas often travel over 100 miles a day with their close-knit pods. Like humans, orcas are very social creatures, and being with their family is necessary for their psychological and physical well-being.

In captivity, orcas are often separated from their pods, which causes mental duress and can result in irregular and violent behavior. Males in captivity often have drooping dorsal fins, thought to be caused by a lack of exercise.

For SeaWorld, orcas are the star of the show — their featured product. Despite all evidence that shows the harm of keeping orcas captive, SeaWorld continues to push their version of the “truth.” The real truth is that there is no excuse for keeping these beautiful and intelligent creatures in a concrete tank, no matter how important they are to SeaWorld’s business model.

Sign the petition to boycott SeaWorld — tell CEO Jim Atchinson that it’s time to stop the exploitation of orcas.

[Leme]

1. I just won't go to any zoo anymore

I find captive animals offensive when used as entertainment.
-
I was a vegan of sorts for a decade or two... I don't know if I can get back to that sadly.

[smallcat88]

2. Thankfully

the Blackfish documentary opened a lot of people's eyes to the injustice SeaWorld has visited on these poor animals.

[secondwind]

3. I'm totally against dolphin exhibits, Sea World, and circuses with large animals, like Ringling Bros

[cantbeserious]

4. We Cage Animals Like We Cage Ourselves - For The Profit and Novelty Of Our 1% Overlords

eom

[Scootaloo]

5. The US needs to follow the lead of the civilized world

Outlaw marine animal captivity.
Outlaw animal circuses.
Restrict zoos so their primary function is preservation and education.

[TheFarseer]

6. Just to throw in another point of view

Alot of endangered animals need help from poachers, loss of habitat and against other types of human activities. Do you think anyone will give a darn about these animals and want to help save them if they've never seen them or only seen them on TV? I'm just curious if people think there is value in exposing people to beautiful animals like Tigers, Lions, Rhinos in zoos. I think there is at least *some* value to this.

this is just a general comment to the entire thread rather than the OP

[Omaha Steve]

7. I agree on the zoo's that practice education and treat humainly

A bear on a chain in a small zoo should be closed. Some do that to apes.

A single elephant attraction is cruelty.

http://www.defenders.org/elephant/basic-facts

Behavior

Elephants form deep family bonds and live in tight matriarchal family groups of related females called a herd. The herd is led by the oldest and often largest female in the herd, called a matriarch. Herds consist of 8-100 individuals depending on terrain and family size. When a calf is born, it is raised and protected by the whole matriarchal herd. Males leave the family unit between the ages of 12-15 and may lead solitary lives or live temporarily with other males.

[Leme]

8. I guess you market orientated

but in zoos I see many animals that have zero need for protection.

[LeftyMom]

9. Do you think blue whales are impressive? Do you support their conservation?

Last edited Mon May 26, 2014, 03:27 AM - Edit history (1)

You've never seen one in captivity because there's no such thing.

How about mountain gorillas? The last ones in captivity died in 1978 (and they were in Antwerp, so it's a rather safe bet you've never seen one.)

There doesn't seem to be any lack of support for the conservation of those animals, even though they're not doing silly tricks to sell theme park tickets.

edit: Oh, I thought of another example. White Sharks have been legally protected in California since 1994. The first successful captive exhibit of a white shark was ten years later. Australia and New Zealand also protect them, and they're listed in CITES (an international treaty limiting and in some cases banning wildlife trade.) They've never been exhibited in either place.