6 Reasons Why SeaWorld Should Keep its Orcas
March 24, 2015
By BILL ZAN
Staff Writer
Lately, there has been much controversy over SeaWorld’s – among other amusement parks and attractions – use of animals for recreational purposes. Here are some reasons SeaWorld should keep its orcas:
1. SeaWorld cannot operate without killer whales.
Former SeaWorld Research Director John Hall said in the 1997 documentary “Whale of a Business” that an estimated seventy percent of SeaWorld’s profits were due to the presence of orcas. In comparison, the documentary “Blackfish,” which harshly criticized SeaWorld’s practices, caused revenue to fall by six percent. The drop in revenue then caused SeaWorld’s stock value to fall 33 percent.
2. The orcas are not a significant danger to humans.
In the fifty years that SeaWorld has existed, only three people have been killed by the business’s killer whales, according to the Orca Project. Two of the deaths were of SeaWorld trainers. Their deaths were accidents that are unlikely to happen again due to SeaWorld’s recent changes in safety procedures. The other death, of a visitor, was entirely the fault of the individual. He snuck into an orca’s tank after the park was closed.
3. SeaWorld does not have a significant impact on the wild orca population.
SeaWorld has twenty-four orcas in captivity, and all its orcas were bred from the few orcas it captured decades ago. The twenty-four orcas that it has are insignificant compared to the 50,000 killer whales worldwide. Many of SeaWorld’s orcas suffer due to inbreeding and damage from living in captivity and probably would not survive anyway if released into the wild. The orca population’s main threats are pollution, habitat disturbance and oil spills. None of these main threats exist in SeaWorld.
4. SeaWorld’s treatment of orcas is far better than factory farms’ treatment of animals used in the meat industry.
Both SeaWorld and factory farms treat animals poorly. However, while a pig raised and slaughtered in a factory farm might feed a family of four, the orcas raised in SeaWorld are helping feed tens of thousands of employees by the revenue they help generate.
5. SeaWorld is improving the treatment of orcas around the world.
Scientists at SeaWorld have released studies on the orcas that SeaWorld has in captivity. In addition, according to its website, SeaWorld has raised awareness of many issues that orcas face and has donated millions to research, rescue and conservation efforts for all marine life.
6. Orcas are animals.
Their treatment, much like that of the animals humans use for food, is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.
Parker • Mar 2, 2021 at 11:16 am
I am trying to write a article for my class and I have to say that this was absolute crap, the comments are a better source of info than this. I tried to find anything to give me any insight on the opposing side and this was the only thing I could find remotely close. This just made me very angry because of all the resources and information I have found previously debunks everything in here and for him to compare this beautiful animals to food we eat, I try very hard to convince my family to get food where the animals are treated fairly and to see that last comment is discussing. Also, where are the good and creditable sources for this, I would love to read them. This was crap and barely deserves a second glance.
No • Aug 29, 2020 at 7:39 am
You compare the poor living conditions of these majestic creatures to factory farming, and that i cannot stand by, as well as any “fact” you put up to the table. Orcas live in the ocean. They travel thousands of kilometers and live freely, but keeping them confined in such a small pool causes stress, health problems, and incredibly aggressive whales for good reason. These animals are sentient and living, and just because they have a lower intelligence level than us DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE MANURE. Seaworld should have never used Orcas as their main attraction in the first place. Yes, they may be donating to conservation for whales and charity, but that does NOT excuse the harsh living conditions these whales face. An orca whale in the wild lives for up to 100 years, but in captivity, they barely live up to 10. Plus, there have not been “Only 3 deaths”, there have been over 70 DEATHS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE killed by these stressed out whales. Nobody is at fault but you, Seaworld, and the rest of the people who approve of this abuse. You are not educated, and because of that you should not be immediately speaking on the topic.
Maria V. • May 9, 2020 at 3:29 pm
Great Article!!
I mean, everyone is like get rid of the orcas but SeaWorld donates so much money towards conservation and rescues thousands of animals, without the profit they get from the parks they couldn’t do that and therefore, many animals would die.
Parker • Mar 2, 2021 at 2:48 pm
What about the animals that are in SeaWorld? They are depressed and have very poor health in all. They are supposed to swim miles and miles every day but they will never get that becasue they are stuck in a “tank”, also they get sunburn and skin problems because there is no shade like there is in the ocean. They are very social animals with dynamic structure inside of there pods, females are the dominates and the males get beaten up becasue they get to close because its to cramped. Plus, can you even imagine is you had a kid and then having it being ripped away for you so it can train to entertain people? You call that rescuing? Yes, they may help save some animals outside the parks but the wales have very early deaths that shouldn’t be happing, we also cant forget that they were almost hunted and captured into extinction in the Puget Sound because of the Orca shows gaining popularity. How could I also forget that the parking lots that are halve full at SeaWorld are bigger than the tanks. Other orca experts have come up with a much more humane and safe way for the orcas to live, sure its costly but its the right step toward helping the orcas, also should I mention that SeaWorld is agent this despite being all about rescuing them? Orcas die more in captivity because of complications and this would help the Orcas so much I dont understand why anyone would be on their side.
Lisa D Wise • Dec 7, 2019 at 11:02 pm
I do not agree with this man at all. And especially the last reason. He said, orcas are animals. And they’re better off than factory farm animals. He’s a heartless idiot. Factory farming should be banned also or at least regulated to the point where they can’t keep any animals in small crates like pigs and calves and letting them sit in their own s*** and in filthy conditions that most factory farm animals are in. Wild animals are not for entertainment!! And orcas are far too intelligent to be performing mindless tricks for heartless people
Jdodn • Nov 19, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Wow…. i am truly mind blown :/
Catriona • Nov 20, 2018 at 1:53 am
thus said your facts are incorrect, and I completely disagree. the last comment made me very upset as if you say they don’t matter??? do you not care for the happiness of these beautiful creatures?? theyre emotional and social system is highly more developed than ours, which in a way makes it 100 percent more important for theyre happiness as imagine how they would feel??? but we cannot, as they are more developed. we need to continue to let them do so.
mayaangelou2015 • Feb 16, 2021 at 5:54 pm
Oh my gosh YESS! Zan, this is for you : Humans are animals too! ***gasp*** ***amazed*** WOOOWWWW SO COOLL
Catriona • Nov 20, 2018 at 1:49 am
there has been over 70 trainer deaths across the parks. worldwide.
carlos • Sep 9, 2018 at 2:50 am
YOU GUYS JUST THINK ABOUT YOURSELF, HONESTLY, ZAN ALL THE REASONS YOU PUT ARE ABOUT MONEY. WHAT IF SOME ORGANISATION GET YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, PUT YOU IN A ROOM FOR REST OF YOUR LIFE. AND TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TO ANOTHER PLACE. JUST TO ENTERTEINMENT OF OTHER PEOPLE. HONESTLY
mayaangelou2015 • Feb 16, 2021 at 5:52 pm
SO TRUE
k • Jan 10, 2018 at 1:17 pm
I think all of you are complete idiots. There’s so many facts to contradict his stupid and clearly very uneducated claims. Who writes something without doing research first.
livistona • Nov 17, 2015 at 11:24 am
i think that Mr. Zan made some great conclusions. I personally think that sea world should keep the orcas.
NiceFriend • Mar 27, 2015 at 9:50 pm
Truly a masterpiece. This up and coming young writer has changed my life. The amount of time and effort he puts into each and every article he writes amazes me. The future is bright for you Mr. Zan.
Parker • Mar 2, 2021 at 2:12 pm
I would like to ask, what effort and how would this rubbish change your life? It looks like he took facts from the news, twisted them to his liking, and then added his opinion. This is not a good source and I should know because I’ve been doing my research for class and every single fact is wrong. Like for instance, the effect on he population, orca hunting spiked when they started doing orca shows and actually pushed Washington to ban it because they almost became non existent in the Puget sound and the Orcas cant be released into the wild now becasue they have become dependent on humans. Also when it said that they dont pose a threat to humans, there wrong because there have been 3 major incidents resulting in death and 70 other incidents world wide with minor and major injuries. This doesn’t happen in the wild and only in captivity do they pose as a threat to people. This is a horrible source that looks to have little to no effort put into it, like the last one, a single sentence with no facts at all. I want some quotes, evidence, and and name of sources.
Name • Mar 27, 2015 at 3:49 pm
This is actually the most incredible thing I have ever read.
Name • Mar 25, 2015 at 4:18 pm
This is actually the most idiotic thing I have ever read.
BeNice • Mar 31, 2015 at 2:33 pm
Let’s all be nice and have some respect here.
Name • Mar 31, 2015 at 5:09 pm
Sorry, but I truly feel that way. Please note that I did not say that Bill Zan is idiotic – I merely criticized his work. I have absolutely no respect for this opinion, thus my disrespectful comment. I do not respect this opinion in the same way that Bill Zan does not respect the spirits, health, happiness, or lives of real lives living creatures of this world. News flash: humans are animals too!
Shut down • Nov 21, 2018 at 6:50 am
Sea world clearly has no respect for these highly developed emotionly and socialy animals.
potato • Mar 21, 2019 at 11:11 am
why are you being so negative if you don’t want to hear this than don’t read it don’t bash it for the sake of bashing it
Gazlez • Mar 25, 2019 at 8:15 am
ur the most idiotic thing i ever heard.