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24-02-2010, 17:37
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#1
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CF Adviser
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Pac NW
Boat: Boatless, for now, Cat enthusiast
Posts: 1,318
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SeaWorld Orca Trainer Killed
It is a sad, sad thing when someone is killed in such a fashion. SeaWorld Orlando: 1 dead at SeaWorld Orlando Shamu attraction - latimes.com
I am left to wonder what message we will be left with after this tragedy is investigated. As those of us who have encountered orcas and other whales in the wild come to quickly realize -- these are majestic animals, to be sure, but they are also incredibly huge, strong, and yes, they have a will of their own.
Personally, I will not patronize "attractions" like SeaWorld, although I also realize that for many, it may be the closest they will ever come to experiencing the ocean world that those of us who cruise on it love with all our hearts. But, this is a high price to pay; not only for the trainer and her family, but for the captured creatures.
I really wonder what the orca was thinking, because I'm pretty darn sure that Tilikum was definitely thinking something. An accident, simply a case of what would be playful for an orca being fatal for a human? Intentional, focused anger, "I've had it with you and now I'm going to show you who really rules in the water"?
I wonder.
ID
__________________
Intentional Drifter
Observations are gold; hypotheses, silver; and conclusions, bronze.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.--Ben Franklin
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.--Daniel Patrick Moynihan
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24-02-2010, 17:48
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,406
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Who knows what they are thinking, but if they really do have a reasonable degree of intelligence, their lives would be no different than putting a human in a tiny jail cell and then told to go do tricks if you want to eat. That type of environment would make any intelligent creature at least partially mentally ill and probably angry at their captors.
Wouldn't you at least be a little pissed if a bunch of monkeys captured you and put you in front of hundreds of other monkeys as the star of their show?
I do have sympathy for the woman who died. But its the same sympathy I would have for a logger who dies cutting down the rain forest.
If people want to go see orcas, then go see them in the wild or turn on Animal Planet. These intelligent mammals do not belong in tiny concrete jails. What surprises me is this does not happen more often.
__________________
David
Life begins where land ends.
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24-02-2010, 18:00
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: California Coast
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 331
Posts: 681
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Thank you DavidM! You are 100% correct.
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24-02-2010, 18:00
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#4
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CF Adviser
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Pac NW
Boat: Boatless, for now, Cat enthusiast
Posts: 1,318
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I'm surprised it doesn't happen more, too. After all, orcas are the top of the oceanic food chain. They've been known to play with great whites, before killing them.
On a happier note, though: New Calf Spotted With L Pod » Kitsap Sun
ID
__________________
Intentional Drifter
Observations are gold; hypotheses, silver; and conclusions, bronze.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.--Ben Franklin
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.--Daniel Patrick Moynihan
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24-02-2010, 18:06
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Puget Sound
Boat: Irwin 41 CC Ketch
Posts: 2,878
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This particular whale is said to be responsible for two other fatalities as well...Time to "Free Willie" I'd Say...and I agree with the sentiment if ya want to watch a whale show, get on a boat.
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"Go simple, go large!".
Relationships are everything to me...everything else in life is just a tool to enhance them.
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24-02-2010, 18:14
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wells, Vt
Boat: 42ft Colvin Gazelle - TLA HLA
Posts: 503
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My sympathies to the family of the trainer lost and the person "Tilly" got before her, but I agree, it isn't right to be keeping these, or other animals in captivity under such conditions to make a buck. Perhaps this will help to shed some light on the practice although I won't hold my breath waiting. So long as there is money to be made it will probably continue. You are right not to patronize such establishments.
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24-02-2010, 18:18
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
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I'm not endorsing captured whales but we have learned a lot about these creatures while in captivity. Like chimps when they reach a certain age they probably become more aggressive and should be released or relocated. A change of environment will even pep up my dog.
But the loss of one life in such a long while is nothing compared to the deaths with horses, dogs, elephants, camels, limas and other livestock.
We as humans have domain over the animals and should recognize when something is going wrong, especially with such large creatures. Maybe someone did but for the $$$ refused to deal with it.
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Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
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24-02-2010, 18:24
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: No fixed address
Boat: Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus 35 Berzerker
Posts: 137
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Congress will no doubt have hearings, debate and act on proposals to ban Killer Whales immediately.
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24-02-2010, 18:39
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Princeton, NJ
Boat: Challenger Anacapa 42
Posts: 2,097
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Hence the name "Killer", duh. I cant stand to see something that magnificent in a tank.
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24-02-2010, 18:41
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wells, Vt
Boat: 42ft Colvin Gazelle - TLA HLA
Posts: 503
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And the sea worlds will send their money to loby congress and disinform the public and all will continue so they can make a buck....
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24-02-2010, 18:42
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Houston
Posts: 149
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anzo
Congress will no doubt have hearings, debate and act on proposals to ban Killer Whales immediately.
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Before an outright ban, there should be taxation on them; and then they'll need health care.
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24-02-2010, 18:46
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wells, Vt
Boat: 42ft Colvin Gazelle - TLA HLA
Posts: 503
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That's exactly it, there are many tax dollars to be gained in the game as well.
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24-02-2010, 18:48
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maitland, FL
Boat: Bristol 29
Posts: 230
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Orcas are the smartest animal in the sea, so there was probably intention behind such an ironic accident. I can't blame the whale any more than you could blame a caged lion for attaching a trainer. Seaworld is the largest taker of orcas. Perhaps this incident will encourage InBev to divest itself of captured wild animals.
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David www.bristol29.com
"The lookout that first sights the cat shall have ten guineas and remission of sins, short of mutiny, sodomy, or damaging the paintwork." - Jack Aubrey
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24-02-2010, 18:55
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maitland, FL
Boat: Bristol 29
Posts: 230
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Intentional Drifter
I'm surprised it doesn't happen more, too. After all, orcas are the top of the oceanic food chain. They've been known to play with great whites, before killing them.
On a happier note, though: New Calf Spotted With L Pod » Kitsap Sun
ID
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That is tremendous news! I know Ken Balcomb must feel like a new dad!
__________________
David www.bristol29.com
"The lookout that first sights the cat shall have ten guineas and remission of sins, short of mutiny, sodomy, or damaging the paintwork." - Jack Aubrey
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24-02-2010, 19:30
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bourbonnais, Illinois
Boat: McGregor venture 15 "IMP"
Posts: 506
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What a tragic story, I read about it today and was surprised to hear how common a tale this is.
Spencer
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