blackfish analysis by

In 2013, the documentary Blackfish was released, bringing light to specifically Orcas in captivity.

hicksa16 — 2023-12-01 14:57:57 UTC

hicksa16 — 2023-12-01 14:59:05 UTC

Tilikum.

hicksa16 — 2023-12-01 15:11:49 UTC

The parks called SeaWorld specifically was the main focus and place of these captive Orcas. The Orca this Documentary is centered around is a 16-inch, 12,000-pound captive whale named Tilikum (nicknamed Tilly). Tilikum was taken captive in November of 1983, and the first park he was taken to was Sealand of the Pacific in Victoria British Columbia. While Tilly was housed in the park, at age two he was expected to do tricks that trained female Orcas were able, and was punished when he wasn't able to, to the lack of training he had so far. He was also hurt and attacked by the other female whales, and because of his size it was hard for him to get away. He was placed in a 20 foot long tank when he was 16 feet long while at Sealand, and was left in the dark, metal cages for hours with the other females. As Sealand started to die down, Tilikum was sold to Seaworld for performances and breeding.

hicksa16 — 2023-12-04 14:38:00 UTC

Osha says that Orcas are dangerous to be around humans in close proximity. You should avoid them at all costs. As for years before this Orcas were perceived to be dangerous blood thirsty animals, they are known to be friendly in the wild, while in parks that does bring out the aspect of danger.

Orcas in captivity

hicksa16 — 2023-12-04 14:45:45 UTC

Orcas while in captivity are the only attacks by these animals on record. Trainers in parks say that they don't see the animals as scary but attacks prove that they should. Multiple trainers + civilians have been either attacked or killed by these animals in parks. Some think its due to frustration, of their treatment and being trapped in the minimal body of water that they get. Orcas are supposed to swim around oceans free, but these animals are trapped in tanks that don't have much space due to the size of the large Orcas. Orcas in captivity regularly have failed fins that slump over (like shown in the picture). These Orcas when they give birth are separated from their babies which is devastating.

Blackfish

hicksa16 — 2023-12-04 14:49:47 UTC

The purpose of Blackfish is to grab the watchers attention and draw it to the dangers of Orcas being in captivity and the sad truth of it all. Orcas are not known to be violent creatures, and have feelings and emotions such as humans have, even more advanced than the a human. When these animals are taken into captivity they are usually women being taken away from their mothers. When these animals are put in parks and made to do tricks and breed, they snap at some point and it takes a innocent life. No one is to blame other than the people who captured these animals while they were peacefully in the wild for their own benefit.

Parks

hicksa16 — 2023-12-04 14:57:17 UTC

Seaworld is a park well known for having Orcas that are able to perform tricks. These Orcas are trained with a trainer and are (at the time) in close proximity to the Orcas. This has resulted in numerous attacks and murders. The Orcas while they are in captivity in such parks have limited resources and free space to swim around. Typically there are multiple Orcas in one tank at a time and when they can't sort our there differences which causes them to fight and injure each other, which devastatingly has ended up in them passing away. In the wild, Orcas have a whole ocean to get away from one another, but when your trapped in a pool, helpless it doesn't end well. Some of these Orcas in Seaworld such as Tilikum have been bought just for breeding which adds more trauma onto this Orcas life. Breeding animals makes them more violent. While it was once a wonderful thing to go and see these large animals in person, it puts a toll on the animal and that makes them violent how they are. Animals such as Orcas, the size of Orcas do not belong in captivity as these parks promote.

hicksa16 — 2023-12-04 14:57:40 UTC

Trainers

hicksa16 — 2023-12-04 14:59:35 UTC

Many ex Seaworld trainers have come forward in this documentary talk about their relationships with the Orcas while they were in the water together. It is a life changing experience for all of them but they are all very aware of the risks. They all recognize that how amazing it may seem those poor Orcas do not belong there.

hicksa16 — 2023-12-04 15:03:30 UTC

After all of the truth that had been brought to light about all of the deceased and the distress the Orcas and many other sea animals that are captive feel, there have been many protests to shut down places like Seaworld or to let all of the able, young animals back into the oceans so they can live their lives. The ex Seaworld trainers are also a part in this as they fight and promote for those animals to be released and to have all of the capturing stop. These animals should be free in their environment they were built for.

hicksa16 — 2023-12-04 15:04:13 UTC

These beautiful animals deserve to be free.