felinefan wrote:I didn't get a chance to read the article--time constraints due to library computer--but if the orca had a violent history, who's fault is it that it was being made to perform? I smell a lawsuit in the offing....
As I understand it, this particular whale was not performing with people in the water. They always kept people out of the water when he was performing because of his history.
Honda Enoch wrote:Million dollars says the trainer(s) abused the whale. Just like way back when the 2 whales crushed the trainer years ago.
People are always so quick to say the animal was bad or ill tempered, but no one sees the way the trainers mistreat the animals.
I won't say it's impossible that the whale was mistreated or abused, but I think it's very unfair to just make that assumption up front. It does happen in places. It does happen with certain people. Generalizing to all and applying to this specific situation, though, just doesn't seem right to me.
The trainer that was killed loved her job and loved working with and being with orcas. From what I have read, she had a very good relationship with them. Tilikum was not being "bad" as applying a moral distinction to his behavior is unrealistic. He was being a whale. What caused the incident (and death) is not yet known, but it's not that he was bad.
Read this article and honestly tell me that a woman like that would abuse an animal:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loc ... 7984.story
glendalais wrote:There have got to be better ways to entertain the public than making giant whales perform pony tricks.
Are the behaviors scripted/rehearsed? Sure. But they are all natural behaviors that whales do in the wild. No behavior (that I'm aware of anyway) is forced on them or is out of character for what an orca would do.
mapo wrote:This incident is devastating. My heart goes out to the cast (human and non) at Sea World park.
After our own devastating tragedies and near-misses at WDW, I understand all too well how the media can blow/slant things in the early hours of a travesty.
Please let them take the time to sort out what happened and figure out how they all can move forward from this event. Even now I can tell you that things are probably not how they seem via our buddies in the media.
Imagine how all of the monorail family and WDW cast in general felt after our not so distant deaths. The second guessing, the investigations, the media and nasty guest attention -- all while people are in shock and need to move to the grieving stages. All while having to work day in and day out. I know that many over there are not going to sleep tonight simply because they will need to sort out a plan -- even if they close for a day or two. A number of us here have been through that...and more.
Worse, imagine that Mickey went and did some action that resulted in a death. How horrific it would be in people's psyche and devastating to our Company! THAT is what happened.
The animal cast member representing Shamu did something that resulted in a human cast member to die. Imagine the impact of that event on those employees and guests who love Sea World like you love Disney.
Please, give them a chance to get the truth out. Give them the chance that no one gave us -- do not fall into the media grismill.
To the Sea World family -- Good luck and God bless. I am here if you need to talk....
MAPO
Very well said, Mapo. I could not agree more.
