Posted on 02/26/2010 3:58:53 PM PST by JoeProBono
Tillikum was sent to Florida from Victoria, has been driven crazy and can't take it anymore.
Of course there is a human tragedy in this, and I'm sorry for the family.
But Tillikum was stolen from his family, the L-25s from Iceland, at a young age, has grown into a strong, angry, bored, lonely adult, has no lasting friendships, doesn't speak the same language as anybody he's been forced to live with and is confined to a kiddie-pool sized tank in comparison to the whole of the Icelandic coast that is his family's home.
He is used, and I mean used, in the captive breeding program at Orlando. This does not involve temporary but possibly fun liaisons with female orcas. It involves handlers and electrodes and sedation and collection tubes. Is this a life you'd want, or wish on anyone?
And the babies produced -- is it OK to raise intelligent mammals in water-filled cages? Is it OK because "it's all they've known"? Would it be OK to raise a human baby in a cage if you made sure that was all he or she was going to know?
The entire captive orca industry is an atrocity and must be shut down.
How about Dolphins then, are they not just as intelligent? Chimps?
Sucks. As bad as circuses with elephants. These huge animals should not be confined. Sucks. The PR started spinning already blaming the dead woman’s ponytail and saying she failed to follow “protocol.” Such BS.
That Orca should be charged with manslaughter and given 10 years in the slammer.
I believe this is cruel. I agree with the author’s characterization of their existence.
The Discovery Channel (?) has had a couple of excellent programs lately on Orcas. They are highly intelligent.
Free Tilli!
Orlando’s Sea World says they will resume the orca shows and that Tilikum will not be removed from the show.
They are asking for trouble. Tilikum is a troubled adolescent that has killed 3 times now.
Orlando’s Sea World says they will resume the orca shows and that Tilikum will not be removed from the show.
They are asking for trouble. Tilikum is a troubled adolescent that has killed 3 times now.
“Oh and Orcas teach one another.”
To equate whale babies with human babies is ...not logical.
I believe in treating animals correctly with care....but animals and humans are are NOT the same. Sheeeeeshhhh....
I was saying that if a Dog did this it would be put down. Why not a Whale? Intent? Nobody talks about the intent of the Pit Bull they just put it down. Whats the difference then? Money. Money is invested in capturing transporting and lifelong feeding and care of Tilikum. Somebody doesn’t want to lose their valuable source of Whale Sperm.
Dolphins have been known to kill themselves in captivity by swimming fast into the side of their tank. So yes, the same applies to them. However Orcas are much larger and the tanks are much more confining.
I have issue with this the same as I do with the circus elephants.
He is not really part of the show if they where not allowed to swim with him.
Orca: The other, other, other, other white meat! ;-)>
Orlando Sea World says they will not be kept from one another.
Not the other orcas or trainers. That is what I heard on ABC radio today.
Let the lawyers debate about it. Just leave the animal rights wackos out.
“Tilikum is a troubled adolescent” Adolescent and father of 13 progeny???
By the way the second death should have been a Suicide.
Suicide by cutesy whale?
The animal is too big for captivity ....and it’s predatory. Animals like these kill for a living. I understand wanting to help them and such...but if it’s for entertainment solely...forget it../liberal rant.
The author is right.
Kill 'em and make into OrcaBurgers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.