"Blackfish" is Not Dawn's Story

To advance both its anti-captivity claim and false theories surrounding Brancheau’s death, the film falsely suggests that Tilikum had become aggressive and psychotic. Ever since Dawn Brancheau was a young girl she always said “I want to work at SeaWorld and train Shamu!” Brancheau visited SeaWorld throughout her youth and which each experience her fascination with the marine mammals grew. For her sixteenth birthday her family adopted a whale in her name. She began working at the Shamu Stadium at SeaWorld in 1996 and instantly bonded with the orca whales. Brancheau worked hard to become one of the most experienced trainers in her field. According to the Dawn Brancheau Foundation: “Dawn left the world doing what she loved.” Brancheau’s family tremendously supports SeaWorld despite the accident. After the film was broadcasted her family said: “Blackfish is not Dawn’s story. Dawn Brancheau believed in the ethical treatment of animals. Dawn followed her dreams and became a marine animal trainer. She loved the whales and was proud of her work as a trainer.”  They continue to say how Tilikum was a whale she knew well and loved and how she would have never worked at SeaWorld for fifteen years if she felt like the animals were being mistreated. (Dawn Brancheau Foundation). Tilikum went eighteen years constantly working and engaging with trainers, researchers and veterinarians safely. Today, Tilikum remains at SeaWorld where he continues to thrive and socialize with trainers and guests.

                                     

TIlikum's Innocence Regarding the Death of Daniel P. Dukes'

In July of 1999, Daniel P. Dukes, a 27 year old man was found in a killer whale tank at the SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. He intruded into SeaWorld and broke into the back area of the Shamu Stadium after the park closed for the day. He jumped into Tilikum’s tank and was found dead in the early morning. Dukes’ body was found draped over the back of the largest whale held in captivity: Tilikum. “Blackfish” claims that his death was caused by aggressive acts by Tilikum rather than hypothermia and accidental drowning as the medical examiner determined. However, Ph. D., Naomi Rose, an outspoken critic of SeaWorld who actually appeared in the credits of “Blackfish” said this after the incident: “Since the body was found on Tilikum’s back, it’s unlikely the whale was behaving aggressively…The whale was probably playing with the man and continued to play with the body after the man died.” Also, marine mammal expert from the University of Miami, Sam Gruber, also describes killer whales as playful creatures and how tossing prey around and placing it on their backs is often a form of playing…not aggression. (The Orlando Sentinel). Multiple experts, scientists and researchers have concluded that the death of Dukes’ was not a result of Tilikum’s aggression as “Blackfish” likes to claim.

 

SeaWorld Does Not Capture Killer Whales in the Wild

“Blackfish” claims that the death of Brancheau was not a coincidence and not from a singular event; but that you must go back many years to clearly understand the actions of not just Tilikum, but all killer whales in captivity. They begin by discussing an event that took place in Puget Sound, Washington thirty nine years ago. According to diver John Crowe: SeaWorld had aircrafts, spotters, speedboats and bombs to lure the whales into a cove so they could capture the calves. But because the orca’s had been captured before, they understood what was occurring and they concluded that their young would be taken from them. Orca researcher, Howard Garrett claims that the adults without young went east into a cul-de-sac and the whales with young went north desperately hoping to escape. But because aircrafts were involved in the hunt, the calves were spotted and captured, leaving behind three fully grown dead whales in the process. (Blackfish). This scene leaves viewers with false impressions that derail the once beloved theme park, SeaWorld. It makes one question SeaWorld’s ethics concerning their whales and it leaves an impact on viewers that SeaWorld captures killer whales in the wild in this abusive way currently; when in fact SeaWorld does not capture killer whales in the wild and they have not done so in over thirty five years. According to the Department of Biology at the University of Portland, SeaWorld practices a safe and effective process of reproducing killer whales in captivity. SeaWorld has maintained killer whales since 1965 and has been reproducing in captivity since 1993, no longer needing to capture killer whales in the wild. Also, the collection of the whales merely forty years ago was in compliance with federal law and was displayed falsely in the film.

SeaWorld Understands the Important Bond Between Mother and Calf

“Blackfish” falsely employs emotionally manipulative sequences concerning the separation of killer whales. One separation incident described in the film left viewers with a false impression that killer whale, Takara was separated from her mother as an infant. However, Takara was twelve years old when she was moved. The second separation incident described in the film discusses a whale name Kalina who was four and a half years old when she was relocated. The film fails to explain the critical reasoning behind the separation. Kalina was disruptive to her mother and other whales, unfortunately needing to be moved. SeaWorld has said: “We do not separate killer whale moms and their calves, and in the rare occurrences that we do move whales among our parks, we do so only to maintain a healthy social structure.” For example, killer whale Kalina stationed at the SeaWorld in San Diego currently has her two babies by her side. They understand the important bond between mothers and calves and everything they do for their young whales is centered on that bond. On the rare occasion when a mother whale cannot care for her calf, they have pioneered techniques to successfully hand raise their young. SeaWorld’s ability to assist in this manner is due to years of experience working with killer whales, their extraordinary health and wellness programs and their understanding of the whales handling and behavior. Zoological professional and head animal trainer for SeaWorld said: “We recognize the importance of family bond…it is not true that we separate mothers and calves.” In fact, they have the largest data base for information about calves and how they relate with their mothers. They have the knowledge of when a calf gains one’s independence, how they relate to their mother and when they start and stop nursing. All of this information has helped scientists and every day Americans understand these marine mammals in greater detail than ever before. (ASPER. The Zoological Society of London).

            The controversial documentary “Blackfish” has brought the issue of orca whale captivity to the forefront of public attention and scrutiny. “Blackfish” particularly challenges SeaWorld’s practice of orca captivity for the purpose of entertainment, specifically focusing on the whale Tilikum, whose sometimes fatal aggression they blame on his captivity.  As a result of the documentary, many people have formed negative opinions about SeaWorld. However, “Blackfish” only legitimizes a narrow view of the issue, mostly ignoring opposing arguments in its quest to derail SeaWorld. The documentary casts an unfair light on SeaWorld and its practice of Orca whale captivity and ignores SeaWorld’s positive influence in preserving and researching Orca whales. This blog focuses on the main themes of “Blackfish,” and challenges the concept of keeping killer whales for entertainment.