As I watched this extremely thought-provoking documentary I was reminded of the recent film Project Nim. In the latter we were shown the tragic consequences of people deciding to bring a chimpanzee up as a human. The basic message of this incredible documentary was that if you bring a wild and dangerous animal into an artificial world populated by people, be prepared for some repercussions. Blackfish, likewise, has a very similar message. Except in this example the outcome is far worse. Not only do we see animals mistreated but some of the very people who love them most end up dead. There aren't many winners in this one.
The story is underpinned by the death of a trainer. In 2010 Dawn Brancheau was killed in SeaWorld in Orlando by a killer whale called Tilikum. This in and of itself is a pretty horrible event but it's what was discovered with a little research that takes the horror up to a new level. It turned out that the same whale had in fact killed another trainer back in 1991 in very similar circumstances and had shown aggressive behaviour to trainers on other occasions. There were a few other near misses with orcas dragging trainers underwater in this water park but, worse still, there was a further killing in a park in Spain that obtained its whales from SeaWorld; whales that were the offspring of Tilikum. As if this was not appalling enough, to rub salt in the wounds, SeaWorld attempted to put the blame on the trainers, as if they were in some way responsible for their deaths. Eye witnesses were never asked for evidence in the '91 death despite their account of the tragedy conflicting with the SeaWorld version of events (incredibly, 'drowning'), while the eye witnesses in the 2010 case countered the official line from SeaWorld leading to a court case. What comes out of all of this loud and clear is that when it comes to SeaWorld, money is prioritised over the welfare of the animals and the safety of the trainers. It makes you angry and makes you wonder how these parks have not been shut down. Needless to say, SeaWorld refused to be interviewed for this documentary.
These killings are terrible events but no one is blaming the orcas. These animals, who are used to roaming the oceans in large family groups which they never leave, are stuck in small pools performing tricks. It would be unusual if creatures with such highly developed brains with emotional capabilities did not develop forms of psychosis in this environment. In one very upsetting part of the film one of the female whales has her calf removed from her permanently on the basis that it was interfering with the performances for the paying public. The mother whale remained in a corner of the pool for a very long time crying out with a sound no one had ever heard before. The animal was clearly in extreme grief. Is it acceptable that people are allowed to do this to such an emotionally developed creature? We take them from the seas away from their families; surely there should be a moral responsibility? But there isn't. There is even one unpleasant moment from 1970 captured on film where a calf is captured and removed from its family. The other orcas did not flee, they hung around and cried. It was pretty awful and even one of the hunters was traumatised by this event.
This is a film that really should be seen. Particularly if you are thinking of taking a trip to see the performing killer whales and those dedicated folks who work with them.
The story is underpinned by the death of a trainer. In 2010 Dawn Brancheau was killed in SeaWorld in Orlando by a killer whale called Tilikum. This in and of itself is a pretty horrible event but it's what was discovered with a little research that takes the horror up to a new level. It turned out that the same whale had in fact killed another trainer back in 1991 in very similar circumstances and had shown aggressive behaviour to trainers on other occasions. There were a few other near misses with orcas dragging trainers underwater in this water park but, worse still, there was a further killing in a park in Spain that obtained its whales from SeaWorld; whales that were the offspring of Tilikum. As if this was not appalling enough, to rub salt in the wounds, SeaWorld attempted to put the blame on the trainers, as if they were in some way responsible for their deaths. Eye witnesses were never asked for evidence in the '91 death despite their account of the tragedy conflicting with the SeaWorld version of events (incredibly, 'drowning'), while the eye witnesses in the 2010 case countered the official line from SeaWorld leading to a court case. What comes out of all of this loud and clear is that when it comes to SeaWorld, money is prioritised over the welfare of the animals and the safety of the trainers. It makes you angry and makes you wonder how these parks have not been shut down. Needless to say, SeaWorld refused to be interviewed for this documentary.
These killings are terrible events but no one is blaming the orcas. These animals, who are used to roaming the oceans in large family groups which they never leave, are stuck in small pools performing tricks. It would be unusual if creatures with such highly developed brains with emotional capabilities did not develop forms of psychosis in this environment. In one very upsetting part of the film one of the female whales has her calf removed from her permanently on the basis that it was interfering with the performances for the paying public. The mother whale remained in a corner of the pool for a very long time crying out with a sound no one had ever heard before. The animal was clearly in extreme grief. Is it acceptable that people are allowed to do this to such an emotionally developed creature? We take them from the seas away from their families; surely there should be a moral responsibility? But there isn't. There is even one unpleasant moment from 1970 captured on film where a calf is captured and removed from its family. The other orcas did not flee, they hung around and cried. It was pretty awful and even one of the hunters was traumatised by this event.
This is a film that really should be seen. Particularly if you are thinking of taking a trip to see the performing killer whales and those dedicated folks who work with them.