SeaWorld: What do other people have to say?
A lot of people from around the internet, animal right activists (PETA), and in business have given their reactions of SeaWorld's response to the rumors and requests. We'll also be exploring how news outlets and the public responded when SeaWorld announced it was done breeding killer whales and phasing out it's killer whale shows.
Voice of San Diego, a reputable nonprofit news organization, starts off their article by saying SeaWorld's response to the accusations have been a, "long, strange series of responses". This source says that Blackfish was a catalyst to launch the wide spread outrage of SeaWorld's tactics. The article continues to point out how SeaWorld's responses to the outrage caused by Blackfish change and are outrageous at times. They point out that one of their more blunt statements, "This ticket price cut and decline in visitors has nothing to do with Blackfish". SeaWorld was defensive on all fronts and seemed to be very bothered by all attacks from outsiders. They even went as far as to make a special section of their website to dispute Blackfish as I mentioned in my last post.
A Fox News article gives a summary of the varying reactions to SeaWorld's change in heart from various sources including senators and board members. One surprising response to this decision was from someone that is supposed to be on the animal's side. "This decision means that in 30 or 40 years, after the last of SeaWorld's orcas have passed away, future generations of American children will no longer be able to see and experience the awe-inspiring physicality and intelligence of these apex predators up close and be inspired to help conserve them in the wild," says Kathleen Dezio, President and CEO of the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquarium. While her response also goes into how much scientific research and knowledge SeaWorld has gained from having these killer whales.
Another quote from that article has the opposite reaction. "For far too long, these intelligent mammals have been subjected to the heartwrenching practice of being kept captive in cruelly small tanks solely for public entertainment value," says Rep. Jared Huffman, D-California. Many reactions took a similar course to Huffman's quote here. You can read less tastefully worded and more straight from the heart quotes from regular people in this article from the San Diego Union Tribune.
While I believe SeaWorld is headed in the right direction by ending breeding of killer whales and stopping the shows, I think that there is still work that is needed to be done. These animals that they currently have still need to be treated better. Concrete prisons are only meant for those who have done something wrong and these whales have done nothing of the sorts. I relate better to what Hannah says above. While she may not be a reliable or trustworthy source, the public has a lot to say on this issue and they will not be silenced.
Voice of San Diego, a reputable nonprofit news organization, starts off their article by saying SeaWorld's response to the accusations have been a, "long, strange series of responses". This source says that Blackfish was a catalyst to launch the wide spread outrage of SeaWorld's tactics. The article continues to point out how SeaWorld's responses to the outrage caused by Blackfish change and are outrageous at times. They point out that one of their more blunt statements, "This ticket price cut and decline in visitors has nothing to do with Blackfish". SeaWorld was defensive on all fronts and seemed to be very bothered by all attacks from outsiders. They even went as far as to make a special section of their website to dispute Blackfish as I mentioned in my last post.
A Fox News article gives a summary of the varying reactions to SeaWorld's change in heart from various sources including senators and board members. One surprising response to this decision was from someone that is supposed to be on the animal's side. "This decision means that in 30 or 40 years, after the last of SeaWorld's orcas have passed away, future generations of American children will no longer be able to see and experience the awe-inspiring physicality and intelligence of these apex predators up close and be inspired to help conserve them in the wild," says Kathleen Dezio, President and CEO of the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquarium. While her response also goes into how much scientific research and knowledge SeaWorld has gained from having these killer whales.
Another quote from that article has the opposite reaction. "For far too long, these intelligent mammals have been subjected to the heartwrenching practice of being kept captive in cruelly small tanks solely for public entertainment value," says Rep. Jared Huffman, D-California. Many reactions took a similar course to Huffman's quote here. You can read less tastefully worded and more straight from the heart quotes from regular people in this article from the San Diego Union Tribune.
While I believe SeaWorld is headed in the right direction by ending breeding of killer whales and stopping the shows, I think that there is still work that is needed to be done. These animals that they currently have still need to be treated better. Concrete prisons are only meant for those who have done something wrong and these whales have done nothing of the sorts. I relate better to what Hannah says above. While she may not be a reliable or trustworthy source, the public has a lot to say on this issue and they will not be silenced.
The ticket price is an obvious move to lure more visitors to their business after the scandal erupted. It was a clear show that their number of visitors are declining and they need to come up with a way to overcome that. I feel like the company only cares about one group of stakeholders: the company's stockholders. They don't care about the media and they don't care about the public as you clearly documented.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line for SeaWorld is all about money and it always will be. Although, as a science facility and entertainment super house this is no surprise. You're right that they aren't taking in to consideration any of the other stakeholders in this situation. They only pay attention to the ones that "matter" in their eyes.
DeleteThe power of the film Blackfish is astounding, it made the ethical issues of SeaWorld into from page, 24/7 news almost overnight. The skill of the journalists who created the documentary is incredible, and they should be proud of their work.
ReplyDeleteI ageee that this was a huge catalyst for these changes. I wonder if other documentaries similar to this one have caused similar changes.
ReplyDeleteIm glad theat something is being done but it seems like Seaworld hangled the situation terribly. Their response doesn't make me feel good about how they will handle the transition in the future.
ReplyDeleteTheir responses almost seemed like they were done by a 15 year old. There's a little bit of angst in their replies. Then they release these basic YouTube videos that make people who understand the topic feel stupid. I think the public is outraged by the way SeaWorld handled it.
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