Shamu is the nickname for killer whales in SeaWorld in the US.
I had this title's feeling when I went to the San Diego SeaWorld last week. Of course, all the shows that I saw such as Sea lions, Dolphins were fantastic and fun. And my favorite was Shamu show called "believe", because it was the biggest scale compared to other shows.
However, I didn't see the typical performance that trainers and Shamu swim and jump with each other. All of their performances were conducted by only Shamu. I think the accident that happened in SeaWorld Orland last year had some effect on their components of their show.
According to the TIME on the internet, the 16-year veteran trainer at SeaWorld was killed by Tilikum, a 12,000-lb. (5,500 kg) killer whale. On Feb. 24, 2010 in the middle of a routine show, the 40-year-old trainer was standing at the edge of a tank when the 29-year-old animal leaped from the water, grabbed her by the ponytail and began thrashing her. Tilikum then dragged Brancheau underwater to her death.
I think that Tilikum didn't want to kill her; he just wanted to play with her.
However, Tilikum is not a first-time offender. Two accidents happened in 1991 and 1999.
So, even American people who like whale said that Tilikum should be killed or taken back to the wild. Don't do the performance anymore ! Media also said similar thing. However, SeaWorld announced next day that we still keep him, because it was our fault not Tilikum. And they added that we should have paid more attention to him. So, we don't have the option such as taking him to the ocean or putting him down. And her family agreed with this opinion and said that my daughter had a really bad day but we are still in deep sorrow.
I was surprised by their quick decision and announcement. I think if he did the same thing in Japan. It might take long time to make a decision and Tilikum must be put down as murder. Also taking him to the ocean means killing him anyway. It is because he can't catch his food by himself.
I wonder as being creature in the sea, is it happy to live in the SeaWorld?
This is only a generalization, but people feel sorry for keeping them in a small tank and having them perform in the show is giving them a lot of stress.
Meanwhile, looking at a different point of view, there are no enemies, no need to get food and live in the comfortable environment. These points could be good for the creature.
Many people said that living in the wild is best for animals, but this opinion is created by human being. Also, SeaWorld appeal that we help a lot of creatures and breeding. However this opinion also stand in human being side.
Biologically speaking, species preservation is the most important thing.
So, breeding by people and keep their population means good strategy for them. I don't know but, Shamu could understand about it.
Personally, I agree that people catch creatures and eat them to live.
I agree with people breeding creatures as their pet for relieving their stress.
But at the same time, I understand people feeling sorry to breed animals. Important thing is having meaningful discussion and building our sense of ethics.
What I can say finally is that animals are always not wrong.
Written in Aug 2011 and revised Feb 2012
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