Orca goes well, orca.

[Yaya]

Yeah. So sadly, Shamu killed his trainer by jumping out of the water, grabbing her by her ponytail, and dragged her in the aquarium where she was shook and drowned, whilst audience looks on.

Come to find out. This was not the first person he killed. Nor was it the second.

It was the third.

How many people have to die before you consider a killer whale a, uh, killer whale?

It's like when that Barnum and Bailey white circus tiger bit the neck of the trainer, and everyone said "the tiger went crazy!" What Chris Rock said was so true. "Tiger didn't go crazy! Tiger went tiger! Riding a unicycle? Now that's crazy!"

Surprised to find, they just started back the Shamu Show. I wanted to slap the Seaworld official who they interviewed on television. Instead of grieving for the women, she was defending Seaworld and how they were "defending these innocent orca from whalers".

I mean, they're called killer whales for a reason.

[saysadie]

There's a risk when working with any wild animal large enough to take a snack out of you/parts of you. *shrug*

I fail to see why this surprises anyone. Yup, it's sad. But an animal is an animal.

IMO just because the individual being interviewed didn't break down on television doesn't mean they aren't grieving. For all we know, she did mention it and that portion was cut for time or somesuch.

How many people have to die before you consider a killer whale a, uh, killer whale?

Fairly sure they knew the risks. It's the general public that seems to have forgotten. I blame Free Willy.

[Shanti418]

I think Sea World would be the first to tell you that they're killer whales: essentially wild animals in captivity. At the same time, there's no need for a kneejerk reaction. It's not like the killer whale is snacking on people in the crowd. The woman was trained and things happen. To me, it's no different than when Steve Irwin died. In terms of human/wild animal, lines were crossed, but they were crossed in the name of education and awareness, and crossed by people who understood and embraced the risks/rewards of their profession. If you look at the prior deaths caused by this particular whale, they were no more his fault then when a person is mauled by a tiger because they fell into the exhibit. I think that PETA's opinion - "See? We told you! We demand you replace all caged wildlife with animatronics!" - is the antithesis of people who want, say, a python/wolf/gorilla for a pet, but both positions are extreme and ridiculous.

All that being said, when I go to Sea World, I go for the dolphins, walruses, and penguins. :P

[Yaya]

I enjoy seeing these creatures as much as the next person, but the question still arises, is it right to keep wild animals in cages and lagoons?

I loved zoos as a kid, still take my nephews. But maybe if one looks at their (the animals) situation empathetically, and doesn't let the enjoyment of seeing these amazing animals distract one from humanely and objectively assessing their circumstances, maybe it isn't right after all.

[Shanti418]

Well, first off, you're using the word "humane" to anthropomorphize animals. I'm not saying that we can't treat animals well, I'm just saying that it's OK to keep your dog outside in a little house, and perhaps not so for your child.

More importantly though, what I'm saying is that the education/awareness of animal issues that the VAST majority of zoos/marine aquariums engage in is worth the possible "inhumanity" of their conditions. You may have had an argument 50 years ago, when zoology had a much less developed idea of what enclosure and isolation does to animals, but now, not so much. In effect, if you want an omelet, it may involved breaking eggs.

[Jack Cade]

Yeah, my feeling is that people's attitude to wildlife quickly becomes complacent when they're so far removed from it. Who cares about some monkeys in a rainforest? I mean, it's sad but we gotta have furniture.

Zoos perform an important function in reconnecting people with animals. When you actually see them in the flesh, the argument for protecting them in the wild is that much more crystal clear - to the heart and head. Visits to zoos in childhood probably account for a good number of conservation careers.

Plus, at least the animals in zoos get a better shot at a long and healthy life. Dull, maybe, but pretty luxurious - no starving to death or being eaten or having your home destroyed.

[The Last Autobot]

And once in the while you can kill one of those bastards that brought you here. And in front of a multitude to prove how angry nature is with us.