A recent ruling by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, determined that orca trainers must either remain at a greater distance from the orcas, stand behind a physical barrier or use other devices to keep them safer during performances. This ruling comes two years after the death of Dawn Brancheau, a trainer who was dragged underwater and killed by an orca at the SeaWorld park in Orlando.
Ruling Puts Distance Between Killer Whales and Trainers
Ironically, the whales that are called “killer” are not dangerous to humans in the wild. Only once they are split from their family groups and held in small tanks to entertain ticket buyers, do they live up to the name. There are no documented cases of a wild orca killing a human. There is only one documented case of a wild orca ever actually biting a human. By contrast, there have been at least two dozen cases of orcas attacking humans since the 1970s, exclusively perpetrated by captive animals. Four of these attacks have resulted in deaths.
Killer whale attacks on humans
One site lists 104 cases where captive orcas have acted aggressively toward their trainers. These range from bumping by the orca to attacks which resulted in the death of the trainers. Tillikum, the orca involved in Dawn Brancheau’s death was also involved in two other previous deaths.
Many blame the aggressive behavior of captive orcas in captivity due to stress. Even the largest aquarium tanks are very small to an animal that can grow to over 20 feet long and can, in the wild, swim up to a hundred miles a day. Orcas also live in close family units in nature. Captive orcas have been separated from their families usually at an early age. In their own pods, wild female orcas typically live into their 50s or beyond and the males at least into their 30s. In captivity, most orcas do not live past twenty years, though there are exceptions.
This is not the case with all marine mammals. Bottlenose dolphins often live longer in captivity than in the wild.
While we think that it is worthwhile that trainers are receiving additional protection from captive orcas, it should also raise the question – who will protect the orcas from their captors? Should these magnificent animals be kept in captivity at all?
I do not know where you have gotten your information from, about dolphins living longer in captivity than in the wild? This is incorrect. FACT: “53% of those dolphins that survive the violent capture, die within 90 days. The average lifespan of a dolphin in the wild is 46 years. Yet half of all captured dolphins die within their first 2 years of captivity. The survivors last an average of only 5 years in captivity. Every 7 years, 1/2 of all captive dolphins die from culture shock, pneumonia, intestinal disease, ulsers, chlorine poisoning and other stress related diseases. To the captive industry, these facts are accepted as ‘routine operating expenses’.” 21 killer whales have died in SeaWorld parks (reported since 2007). 3 dolphins deaths in 3 weeks @ SeaWorld parks. Dolphins have nearly 75% death rate. Dolphin deaths: Miami SeaAquarium-62, SeaWorld San Diego-24, Marine Life Oceanarium-37. These are the recorded deaths. SeaWorld reported 93 dolphin deaths between 1971-2002.
There are numerous sources that note that specifically bottlenose dolphins do well in captivity. Here are three:
DOLPHINS IN CAPTIVITY
What is a Dolphin’s Life Span?
Cetaceans in Captivity – a discussion of welfare
There are obviously lots of contradictory information out there. Your information sounds suspect for several reasons. The reference to “the violent capture” of dolphins is out of date. For all intents and purposes there has been no capture of wild dolphins in the United States since 1989. Most dolphins in captivity were bred in captivity. The only “wild” dolphins” in aquariums are usually rescued from strandings. Their survival rates seem to be lower overall, which is not terribly surprising.
I think we can agree that orcas do very badly in captivity. The verdict on bottlenose dolphins is a bit more complicated.
Spreading views of captivity through rose colored glasses is the ‘required agenda’ of marine mammal circuses. On the surface, the public falls for the predominance of SeaWorld ‘spin’ which tends to spread out further, which you appear to be innocent victim and promoter of. Your first research reference is that type of ‘well meaning’ source. (‘What is a Dolphin’s Life Span?’ by Shelley Moore) Shelley contributed to EHow as an expert. Her credentials? .. “journalist and short-story writer of personal development, health, careers and personal finance.” (including an oddly appropriate, ‘BS’ … in psychology)
Maybe you accidentally surrounded yourself with ‘spin’, as your other sources are paid employees of marine mammal circuses. You did not make up anything and steered clear of cutesipation (like, “they are sooo beautiful and happy ..see the smile”) .. plus you read and summarized their content well. We have all been susceptible to the ‘sunshine and rainbows’ advertising. As kids, many of us clapped our hands while being splashed from these toilets. So, MOST IMPORTANTLY, realize that our media is increasingly becoming swamped with a well-monied glut of pro-captivity materials .. put out by a VERY worried Sea World and it’s followers. They actively engage in removing deeply researched facts and sentiments put forth by activists as we are systematically blocked from commenting on Sea World sites and affiliates.
It would be such tremendous journalism to recognize (perhaps in your next article!) the mechanics of how so many good people are falling for the cruel agenda of these marine mammal circuses. For example: David Kirby has tackled, in-depth, behind the scenes research for his best sellers, ‘Evidence of Harm’ and ‘Animal Factory’. In the same tradition for no nonsense, factual reporting, Kirby has completed, ‘DEATH AT SEA WORLD’ .. a book destined to being a ground breaking hit, uncovering the dark world of entertainment captivity to the rest of the world. http://tinyurl.com/7ubqbwy
‘DEATH AT SEA WORLD’ cannot be censored or discouraged by Sea World and it’s followers .. although they desperately try with various online petitions and discussions. Interestingly, all their fuss is over a book they have not read ..as it releases, July 17. They haven’t even seen a legitimate synopsis. Does THAT tell you anything about SeaWorld agenda?
Paul,
Your rant is noted. I notice that you offer no new facts, just vitriol.
You obviously missed the point of my post which was to express my opposition to the continued captivity of orcas.
The issue of dolphins raised in captivity is more complicated than you seem to be willing to address.
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Agreed, Rick .. i did not take time to aggregate reports of the substandard lives of ‘penned’ dolphins. The pro-cap sources are so slanted, esp. the goof who gives VIP tours .. seasoned activists agree to not waste time reasoning with their reports. What has me worked up, is how people new to the subject are gullible .. and will walk away from your article with improper concern for the dolphin. I should take the time for rebuttal, but it’s not my style to clash against opinions. Apologies for attitude, but do try to include more than pro-caps. THEY are heavily biased with selve serving opinions .. it is their paid agenda. The facts on longevity are properly documented in Ceta Base’s online records. It’s also important to recognize, when removing ALL the deadly forces of nature and allowing an animal to languish in prison with scheduled, hospital like feedings, zoo animals statistically SHOULD live MUCH longer in their controlled ‘lab’ conditions. That ‘some’ dolphin live about as long as those in the wild, actually means that zoos introduce long term stresses and chronic disease to substitute the mortality incurred from natures vast enemies and mishaps of the wild. It testifies that poorly understood stresses and chronic suffering that leads to death, has substituted the quick kills of mortal enemies found in nature. Additionally, quantity of life in a small, smooth cement tub of filtered excrements, harsh chemicals, and stress meds .. is a poor substitute for quality of life found in the boundless freedom, variety of diet and stimulating social interactions of the sea. Life blossoms in nature’s adventures, not in extortionist’s side-shows. I suppose i am a bit vitriolic. I was lucky to know and study nature growing up. These marine circuses of fantasy performances and concert level music are deprivingly cruel blasphemies of nature. The ruse of education & reseach has even lost favor with real world scientists. Cetacean captivity is no longer valid for reasons other than bilking money from an uninformed public. Thanks for the oportunity to inform.
You seem to have taken only one of my facts, and disregarded the rest. So I will comment on that: you do not think that the capture is violent? Have you seen vidoes of dolphin capture? You make is sound as if the dolphins willingly swim into a net and are complacent in their surroundings. This is NOT the case. It doesn’t make any difference whether capture is in the United States or not. It IS a violent act. These dolphins do not want to leave their families, their pod mates. They are sedated on a daily basis. Have you seen the Cove? Why do you think that the killers in Japan used to net off the dolphins for a period of 12-14 hours after the drive?…it was because they were stressed, agitated and would throw themselves against the rocks, committing suicide. That was unacceptable to the IMATA people who were there to pick out the beautiful, unblemished ones, so they could be transported to marine parks, ALL over the world. It was only this past drive season that the dolphins were slaughtered immediately after the capture. Please do some research before you continue to say the dolphin issue is ‘complicated’. It isn’t complicated at all~~ they do not belong in tanks, they should not be sedated, they should not have dead fish withheld from them until they comply with the jailers. It’s all a matter of dominance and it is unecceptable. To be born into prison is worse, they will NEVER know anything else. A life of boredom, a life of being seperated from eachother, their mothers at too young of an age. I have concrete information from two captive facilities in Mexico that 70% of their show dolphins were captured. They have since died and have been replaced with captive born dolphins. I lived in Florida and would observe the dolphins at Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. The majority of their dolphins are wild caught. As of 2009, they had 19 dolphins at the facility. Ceta Base has the latest figures. Theatre of the Sea in Islamorada admits that most of their dolphins were wild caught. I would like to ask your opinion of the most recent request from Sea World, that they want to collect MORE dolphins, whales, rays, sharks, seals etc for the next 5 years. They feel that they need a more diverse gene pool. This can only mean one thing; their existing circus performers are dying. I will continue to give you facts, as I don’t see any in your article. They are only your words as a writer. Fact 1-1987-1990 complaints were reported to the USDA against Ocean World that three dolphins were held in a tank the size of a backyard pool laced with paint and over chlorinated water. Their eyes & skin were burned. Fact 2- Ocean World is ordered by the USDA to close it’s doors and pay $20,000.00 in fines for mistreating their animals. Fact 3- June 1992 a 27 year old dolphin named Pepper suffers a fractured vertebrae when he is dropped by his handlers while being transferred to a new pool. Facts- 62 dolphins have died at Miami Seaquarium from salmonella, toxic hepatitus, acute hemmoraging, meningitis, to name a few.1975;a 1 month old dolphin died due to ‘shock during movement’. 2001- a 10 year old dolphin died from ‘concussive brainstem impact’. San Diego CA In the last 25 years, pneumonia killed 24 bottlenose dolphins in SeaWorld parks.’Failure to thrive’ listed as the cause of death. Gulfport MS, At the Marine Life Oceanarium 37 dolphins have died from pnemonia. San Antonio TX-The ‘captive born’ dolphins who died, lived 4 years on average. In all cases, 6 orcas, 12 dolphins & 11 beluga whales have died at SeaWorld’s San Antonio park. Australia- at SeaWorld Enterprises, 16 dolphins died from causes as varied as multiple spine fractures, twisted bowels, heart and mammary abscesses, hemorraging, injury during a fight, ‘operating stress’ and severe anemia. Sweden- 1989 & 1991 2 week old dolphins died from hemorraging in separate incidents, one as the result of smashing into the tank wall. A head injury killed a 2 week old male in 1995.1n 1991 a healthy 9 year old female died from overexertion. Hong Kong- The Ocean Park Corporation has had 29 dolphins die under it’s watch including 3 from viral hepatitus A, and 1 who suffered after ingesting a foreign object. 2008-30 year old dolphin, Sharky, collides in mid air with another dolphin. Sharky dies soon afterwards with traumatic head injuries. The other dolphin is moved to veterinary supervision. 2006-4 year old dolphin dies from ‘severe acute trauma and secondary thoracic and abdominal hemorrage’. 2007-an 11 year old captive bred dolphin dies of acute hemorraging. 2005-23 year old male dolphin dies from brain hemorraging. 24 year old female dolphin died of the same cause. 2008- a wild caught dolphin dies from traumatic cervical vertabral fracture after only 4 years in captivity. I could continue to give you more facts, but I’m sure you get my point. Dolphins in captivity is not ‘complicated’. For the pro-cap people, you included, it looks as though these dolphins in the tanks are happy. They are not happy, they are trained, food deprived. Most pro-cap people and definately all dolphin trainers will tell you that the only way to appreciate and see dolphins is at dolphinariums. This is not true. There is nothing about conservation and learning in these places. We all know a lot about dinosaurs, yet we never saw one!! The same holds true for natures magnificent creatures. To keep them against their will only shows the degredation of mankind. There is nothing humane about this. We are not conserving a species..for those who think that having a diverse gene pool are playing Frankenstein. Leave the mammals alone, and love them for what they should be, FREE.
Kristen,
You do go on, don’t you. I guess that you missed the the fact that for all intents and purposes there has been no capture of wild dolphins in the United States since 1989. So, your ranting about violence when capturing dolphins is rather beside the point.