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According to the Science in Context Database, St. Martin's Press, there is a "dark side" to keeping whales in captivity. Read the Q & A below to learn more.
Q: Are Orca whales generally a dangerous threat toward humans and their safety?
A: Only in captivity. In the wild, Orca whales almost never attack humans. However, while held in captivity, many Orcas have killed their trainers. Orcas held in captivity are a "ticking time bomb." Eventually, the whales often lash out at their trainers, which generally end in fatal results.
Q: When Orcas are held in captivity, such as places like SeaWorld, do they generally live a life as long as they would in the wild?
A: Orcas held in captivity never live up to their full life span. They often die at very young ages and statistics show that Orcas that live in tanks die about two and a half times greater than Orcas in the wild. Orcas held in small tanks are not getting enough exercise, given that such a large animal has such a small space to live in for their life.
Q: Are Orcas fed the same type of food they would receive in the wild?
A: No they are not. In the wild, Orcas get their water from the live fish that they eat to stay hydrated, because they cannot drink seawater. In captivity Orcas and other animals like dolphins, are fed dead fish that have previously been frozen and thawed, which caused the fish to lose most of its moisture, then leaving the animals dehydrated. Therefore, the workers must feed the Orcas large amounts of gelatin to attempt to keep them hydrated. Also, many of the Orcas held in captivity chew on the metal railings in the tanks, which causes most of the whales to lose their teeth and cause gum infections.
Discussion Question:
Are there any benefits for animals living in captivity?
FUTURE RESEARCH: Does the government need to control companies that use animals in captivity or can the free market regulate itself?
Julia, your post was very interesting! It made me sad to hear about all the negatives of the Orcas living in captivity. Maybe next time include some of your own analysis or your own feelings about these Orcas who are in danger by living in captivity.
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