Blackfish and SeaWorld: Orcas are my new favorite wild animal

[Dr_Liszt]

I saw Blackfish and it's one of the most heartbreaking documentaries ever. It follows the story of Tilikum captured by age 2. The whale family aware of what was going on, they split in two misleading the boats to go to a different direction, while the mothers and babies hid underwater going to another, but since they were being followed by a helicopter as well, they were spotted when they had to come up for air. During the capture 3 whales died and were filled with rocks so they would sink and no one noticed what goes on during captures. Lolita's capture, another captive whale, resulted in the death of 6 whales of her family. It just amazes me they actually planned an escape, they didn't run to whatever place, they knew boats were coming for the babies and they acted on it.

What's amazing of these animals is how evolved they are, they are more emotionally evolved than humans, have a sense of awareness and they can feel empathy. Each pod has it's own culture and language, they actually have conversations between them. It's a matriarchal society where males are very bonded with their mothers and won't socialize with any other whale who is not introduce to them by their mother. They are also not aggressive animals and have never attacked people in the wild. Which brings me back to the movie, it documents Tilikum's attacks at SeaWorld. Also several attacks of other captive whales towards their trainers and almost all the attacks are documented in video.

These captive whales are forced to share pools with other whales that have other cultures and other languages, causing them to get aggressive towards each other and even have resulted in deaths of several whales. They grow up unhealthy and their life expectancy gets reduced by half. Tilikum himself has killed two of his trainers and spends most of his time in this solitary pool, rarely performs anymore. SeaWorld people are just using him for his sperm and considering he is an aggressive whale, they are spreading this all over the waterparks. Doesn't sound smart, but when money is involved who cares about smart?

They also talked about Keiko and how his released was considered a failure because he died a year after being released. But what they don't tell you is that returning him to his family was crucial to his survival, because the bond they have with their moms and the whole social pod structure is vital to their survival. Keiko would even gather his toys and sleep surrounded by them. They also don't say that before his death he recovered his weight and was healthier than ever, could hunt on his own and began vocalizing again. He was happier than he ever was.

These animals actually know and feel things unlike any other animal, and SeaWorld along with the other parks destroy these animals that are very much like us. I hope SeaWorld dies.

I will now become a Free Tillikum and Lolita activist.

Also I know Orcas are dolphins not whales.

[Derived Absurdity]

I hope SeaWorld dies.

you and me both

good review

[Dr_Liszt]

I think I might have seen Tillikum at one of his shows. I really would like to donate for his release and considering how the world is becoming more and more corporative. It's going to be harder than releasing Keiko.

Also, this documentary is a 10/10. It's only flaw is that it is propaganda, but since it's the propaganda that I like, I don't care.

[aels]

Blackfish was on TV a little while ago and I missed it, like a numpty. I really wanted to watch it.

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

I did not know that orcas were dolphins.

[Dr_Liszt]

Watch this, amazing creatures that even eat shark.


After watching this, not sure it will be a good idea to release Tilikum. He is the only orca to have ever eaten human, what if he liked it and introduce that meal to his family?