captive orca programme

[Mikey]

Can't remember what time or channel but there was a documentary on last night about orcas kept in captivity and the high number of injuries/fatalities that occur.

It was quite shocking to watch, it does make you wonder why they are still kept and expected to do tricks. I thought we'd moved away from performing animals these days.

[Methe]

I've just sat and watched this. It was incredibly sad and shocking

I felt a bit about all the ex trainers talking about how awful it is though. While they may not me as bad as corporate seaworld, they are certainly complicit.

Keeping orcas in captivity ought to be illegal, I'm really surprised it isn't.

[RedThorn]

Have we really moved on from that

Whether it was gladiators facing each other, throwing people to the lions, freak show circuses, big brother, and all the other reality show drivel aired these days, I'm not so sure that as a species we've progressed at all, just shifted what is acceptable.

The news is not about successes, it's about shock factors, ratings and failures....


Although we've technically and scientifically advanced, I fear we've regressed socially to some degree. A mans word ain't worth what it used to

[Mikey]

The one thing I find most distressing really is I've visited the Tenerife park they mentioned and in essence funded the continuation of this captivity. I feel shamed by my own participation in this.

We don't allow wild animals in circuses anymore aren't these parks basically stationary circuses?

[mothhawk]

I cannot understand how anyone would consider keeping an animal that is designed to hunt and swim over a territory of thousands of miles of ocean, in a space that by comparison is a puddle. And expect it to remain well balanced and friendly. And then expect it to perform tricks as the only way it can get to eat. I'm amazed that more don't drown their keepers.

[Martin H]

Mothhawk, I agree totally.

I had the privilege of seeing several pods of orcas when I was on an Alaska cruise a couple of months ago. Lovely to see them just being themselves. All my action shots ended up as pictures of ripples in the water, but I did manage to get a picture of this little family group just making their way quietly...



Must finish sorting out the rest of the pictures soon, thanks for reminding me.

[greenishfing]

I agree with everyone else. I watched the program and think it should be compulsory viewing for young people.

I was once taken to a zoo as a child and it I was appalled. I have never visited another or a circus or been to see captive sea creatures.

I don't believe any wild animal should be kept in captivity.