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Paean Wang
Professor Haas
Writing 39C
12 August 2015
Orca Captivity Needs To End
The first modern zoos were created to in the 18th century, during the age of
Enlightenment; a period in European History when science, reason, and logic were promoted as
ideals of society and government (Natl Geographic 1). Early zoos were similar to museums and
consisted of living animals cramped in small display areas. However, nowadays, zoos are meant
to entertain and educate the public but have a strong emphasis on scientific research and specific
conservation (Natl Geographic 1). Needless to say, modern day zoos were created with good
intention. Human curiosity has led us to build the astonishing world we live in today.
Consequently, it is important that we take responsibility for the consequences of our actions. On
the Captive Animals Protective Societys website, it explains that Zoos cannot provide the
amount of space animals have in the wild. This is particularly the case for those species who
roam larger distances in their natural habitat (10 facts about zoos). The Ornicus Orca is a perfect
example of an animal trapped in captivity for entertainment purposes without sufficient space for
the creature to freely live its life. Studies show that there are more negative effects on orcas in
captivity rather than in the wild. Contrary to what SeaWorld might claim, the infamous killer
whale is meant to be left in the wild.
In a review of a book by David Kirby, a journalist for over 20 years with several awards
and recognitions, Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity

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Mark J. Palmer, the Director of the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island
Institute as well as an activist against animals in captivity, states that one of the negative effects
of orcas in captivity is that Orcas in the wild virtually never attack humans. But they do in
captivity (Palmer 1). One famous incident that really brought light into the issue of orcas in
captivity was the tragic death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010, when a male orca,
Tilikum, grabbed her and pulled her into the tank with him. She died from blunt force trauma
(Palmer 1). That incident also inspired a famous documentary called Blackfish. The
documentary exposed the many kept secrets of SeaWorld while telling the story of Tilikum, the
killer whale, who killed more than just one trainer in captivity.
The people responsible for orca captivity are the corporations who are making millions at
the expense of the orcas. There have been many incidents where SeaWorld has tried to advertise
that what they are doing actually benefits the orcas as opposed to harm the orcas. The Dodo, an
organization For The Love Of Animals proves that SeaWorld advertisements are all manipulated
facts. In an article found on The Dodo website called SeaWorlds Newest Commercial is Bogus
and Here Are The Numbers To Prove It, by David Neiwert, an investivative journalist, states
that All the care in the world cannot compensate for the stress brought on by placing a large,
highly mobile, highly intelligent, and highly social animal with a complex life into a small
concrete tank. That in fact, even though SeaWorld claims government research shows they live
just as long as whales in the wild, the actual average lifespan of captivity is about eight and a
half years (The Dodo). In comparison to a wild killer whale with a lifespan that averages thirtyone years for males and forty-six for females (The Dodo). Not to mention, of the 136 orcas

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taken in captivity from the wild over the years, only 13 still survive (The Dodo). SeaWorld is
known for twisting the facts into claims that are true. However, killer whales are wild animals
who are highly social creatures and live in pod like social structures.
In this infographic explaining the negative effects of orcas in captivity, you notice that no
animal as large as the killer whale could possibly live a full life stuck in a tank. The numbers
speak for themselves in the photo. Notice that An orca at SeaWorld would have to swim the
circumference of the main pool more than 1,400 times to match the equivalent daily distance
travelled in the wild. That is only one of the many statistics explained in the infographic that
prove orcas are not animals that are meant to be held in captivity. In fact, no wild animal is
meant to live in captivity
and used for
entertainment.

Figure 1. Infographic showing statistics

and negative effects of Orcas in
Captivity. Found on the official website
for the UK Whales Dolphin Captivity
Organization website.

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Sure, zoos were originally made for research, however more damage than good has been
done to these animals. Orcas need to be allowed to roam free in the wild like they are meant to
be. No tank is capable of giving any killer whale the life it has evolved to live.