SeaWorld orca tragedy
February 2010

The sad death of a trainer at Seaworld, Florida, is a consequence of the way that people have close contact with wild animals in captivity. Whether taken from the wild (Tilikum, the orca involved in this incident was captured from the wild in Iceland) or born in captivity, these are still wild animals.

Working with such animals brings considerable dangers. Since 1990 over 200 people worldwide have been injured or killed by elephants in zoos, circuses and other captive environments.

The Captive Animals' Protection Society has been campaigning against the use of animals in entertainment since 1957. We believe that animals should not be subjected to the barren conditions, harsh training and other physical and psychological torments their use in aquariums, zoos and circuses entails.

Orcas are amazing animals. They live in highly complex societies of 5-25 individuals (up to 100 in the super-pods). They travel up to 100 miles a day, are almost always in motion and sound is their dominant sense, communicating by echolocation. Average lifespan is 50 years although they can live up to 90.

Compare this to the aquarium life. Home is pretty much a small, featureless concrete bathtub. Chlorinated water and dead fish are no substitute for the wide open ocean. The average lifespan is just 4 years and stress is a contributing factor in as many as 50% of deaths.

As unfortunate as this death is, it brings attention to the impoverished lives and ethical concerns of captivity, whether a captive orca, an elephant in a zoo or a tiger in a circus.

CAPS encourages people to avoid captive animal facilities whether in the UK or on holiday abroad. Wherever we travel we can experience wildlife in its natural habitat. Over 25 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises can be seen in UK waters, including orcas and seeing such animals experiencing life in their own world is far superior to witnessing the tragedy of captivity.