Blackfish is finally on Netflix!
This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by LeftyMom (a host of the Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights group).
So I finally got to see what all the hubbub is about. Some observations:
1) The low point for me was when they took the calf away from its mother. I don't really think that was right and if I were in management I'd probably would've kept them together.
2) The main point that Tilikum is a whale driven to madness by his surroundings didn't really ring with me.
Orcas are called killer whales for a reason. They are opportunistic carnivores who have been known to eat whales, sea lions, sharks, and very rarely, moose. It stands to reason they might be interested in the occasional human.
3) Because of the above I don't really buy the naïve trainer line. There's always inherent danger in working with large carnivores and they had to have known that.
Also, part of me thinks that trainers should be allowed back in the water as long as they sign a waiver understanding this fact. People in this country do have a right to do stupid and dangerous things for money.
4) Morally speaking I am upset that the whales' living condition isn't as good as it could be. If I had vast wealth I would give them more room and work to improve the mistakes of the past.
That being said I am in no moral position to boycott SeaWorld on this point alone considering my attitude towards animal welfare in other areas.
Pigs are just as intelligent as whales and yet I don't boycott pork because of swines' infinitely worse conditions on pork farms. I love my bacon waaay too much to give it up.
When artificial meat becomes the norm, I will gladly eat it to reduce pigs suffering but as there is no cruelty free equivalent now, it is what it is.
5) Lastly, seeing this movie just makes me even more excited to see Tilikum this weekend. I will enjoy every bit of it guilt-free because I know some of the bad things don't outweigh all the good that I feel Sea World provides.