This week starts the trial of SeaWorld vs. OSHA, resulting from the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau last year. After Brancheau's death, the park was issued 3 citations and fined $75,000. (Mike Schneider, www.bostonglobe.com). The trial is scheduled to last all week, with a ruling from the Judge to come about 10 days after the end of the trial.
In addition, according to OSHA's website (www.osha.gov) it was stated that, "In addition to the history with this whale, the OSHA investigation revealed that SeaWorld trainers had an extensive history of unexpected and potentially dangerous incidents involving killer whales at its various facilities, including its location in Orlando. Despite this record, management failed to make meaningful changes to improve the safety of the work environment for its employees". You can find the full link to the article talking about OSHA's citations against SeaWorld, here.
So many news articles are coming out about the trial this week, it's hard to keep up. Experts on news channels talking about whale behavior... people talking about pros and cons about captivity. In my own opinion, since this is my blog, this is how I feel.
Captivity kills. It's as simple as that. Captivity kills whales and dolphins, because research has shown that captive sea animals such as these large animals live a much shorter life span than their non-captive family and friends. Those whales and dolphins who are in the wild live a life that is double, if not MORE than that of one that is in captivity.
Captivity also kills humans. It's a sad fact that this is not the first time a human has been killed by a orca, or another wild, captive animal. And, even worse- it won't be the last. In fact, for Tilly, the whale that was involved in Brancheau's death- this was his 3rd death of a HUMAN that he was involved in. THIRD.
So, I guess what we really need to ask ourselves is this.... How many more dolphins, whales, and HUMANS need to die before we see the light that captivity isn't the answer?
My heart goes out to Dawn's family during this difficult time. I'm sure reliving the time of her tragic accident is not going to be easy for them.
SeaWorld, shame on you. Shame on you for not only holding animals captive, but for allowing yet another death to occur. This time, a human life was lost.
R.I.P. Dawn Brancheau
If you would like to see the copy of Brancheau's autopsy's report, please click here, thanks to autopsyfiles.org.
Until Next Time....
In addition, according to OSHA's website (www.osha.gov) it was stated that, "In addition to the history with this whale, the OSHA investigation revealed that SeaWorld trainers had an extensive history of unexpected and potentially dangerous incidents involving killer whales at its various facilities, including its location in Orlando. Despite this record, management failed to make meaningful changes to improve the safety of the work environment for its employees". You can find the full link to the article talking about OSHA's citations against SeaWorld, here.
So many news articles are coming out about the trial this week, it's hard to keep up. Experts on news channels talking about whale behavior... people talking about pros and cons about captivity. In my own opinion, since this is my blog, this is how I feel.
Captivity kills. It's as simple as that. Captivity kills whales and dolphins, because research has shown that captive sea animals such as these large animals live a much shorter life span than their non-captive family and friends. Those whales and dolphins who are in the wild live a life that is double, if not MORE than that of one that is in captivity.
Captivity also kills humans. It's a sad fact that this is not the first time a human has been killed by a orca, or another wild, captive animal. And, even worse- it won't be the last. In fact, for Tilly, the whale that was involved in Brancheau's death- this was his 3rd death of a HUMAN that he was involved in. THIRD.
So, I guess what we really need to ask ourselves is this.... How many more dolphins, whales, and HUMANS need to die before we see the light that captivity isn't the answer?
My heart goes out to Dawn's family during this difficult time. I'm sure reliving the time of her tragic accident is not going to be easy for them.
SeaWorld, shame on you. Shame on you for not only holding animals captive, but for allowing yet another death to occur. This time, a human life was lost.
R.I.P. Dawn Brancheau
If you would like to see the copy of Brancheau's autopsy's report, please click here, thanks to autopsyfiles.org.
Until Next Time....
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