I have no doubt that Dawn loved the Orcas she worked with, but, the reason they are 'on display' at Sea World may be mute.
I remember the first time I saw an Orca in captivity. I had my two young sons at Sea World in Orlando. It was six weeks after Baby Shamu was born. The idea then was to breed Orcas in captivity to prevent any cruelty from capturing and training wild Orcas.
I've been to other Sea World facilities as well. The Ohio complex. Was there several times with the boys. My impression then was the same as it is now, the facilities are far too small to accommodate these large mammals.
Orcas in captivity are indeed very valuable ambassadors for their ocean going peer group. The public definately makes moral decisions about these mammals and all captive wildlife when approached in a controlled environment. As human beings we can sit in judgement of the other species that inhabit Earth. Scary thought really, because people can literally make Earth sterile.
Some that value greed over life would state that is a good thing. It isn't, because to destroy the Earth's biotic content is pure foolishness. Humans need the same elements of Earth to survive that other creatures need. Quite frankly, if there was a healthy balance to all of Earth's context, humanity would not be facing the dangers to the troposphere that it is facing today.
But, that isn't the point here, or is it?
The issue is what do we as a civilized people do with marine mammals that are basically estranged from their natural habitat? How do we look at them? In pity? Or as captives? And what does that say about us as a society?
Dawn's death is wrong. Regardless, of the reason she would state her death is 'part of the scheme' of protecting these creatures in the wild, her death is wrong. We can debate the reason for the Orcas behavior and try to make their lives better and kinder, but, to allow this to continue is simply negligence. She may not want the Orca destroyed, but, that really isn't her call and it never was.
Without Dawn and other trainers alive to act in unison with these ambassadors there isn't any reason to have them in captivity at all.Their trainers, no different than caretakers of zoos are necessary to meet their needs and see to their well being.
These Orcas are first animals and they are allowed to be in captivity. Humans are allowed to enjoy their ability to entertain, if society finds that a valuable commodity. That is the 'legalese' of the issue, but, it isn't completely now is it?
Dying really should not be a reality in handling these mammals. I doubt seriously any trainer goes into practice with Sea World anticipating some day the dangers they confront will kill them. But, it does become a reality they face and in that the 'real danger' becomes more casual than it should.
Now as to the morality of the issue, that is something the legalese does not address. At least not completely.
Ric O'Berry has the right idea. There needs to be better living conditions for these Orcas. An offshore or near shore complex where literally they 'go for vacation' from the rigors of tanks of water. I believe Sea World needs to re-evaluate its continued interactions with Orcas and I would strongly suggest they find an alliance with Ric to come to a resolve regarding these mammals.
Breeding for the purpose of having performers is a huge issue. We have seen a very, very similar topic take shape with elephants. This is no different.
Humans have to make room for nature. It isn't profitable to do so. But, then morality is not necessarily profitable.
I think Ric O'Berry has the right idea, but, we already know the mammals that are in captivity will be unsuccessful in the wild. It is time to decide where indeed their lives become hideous to their purpose.
The other consideration is the gene pool of the Orcas and where that is all headed. If captive animals are bred without infusion of wild stock the gene pool will produce individuals that cannot function. It is not the purpose of Marine Mammals to make Sea World or any other marine mammal facility profitable. The Marine Mammal Protection Act must prohibit any removal of marine mammals from the wild gene pool for the purpose of profitable ventures. These are all highly endangered mammals.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act needs to be amended to include the protection of those in captivity and how their status is viewed and resolved. It is a complex moral issue, but, it does need to be addressed. These mammals need more protections and not less and certainly not more casual laws.
I'll put it this way, the folks in New York City that visit the Museum of Natural History to witness the 100 foot model of The Blue Whale, "get it."
