The once esteemed venue Sea World has come under attack following the release of a documentary critical of the company’s handling of captive orcas or killer whales. The attack on the company have been severe as any entertainer appearing at a concert hosted by the theme park is branded as supporting cruelty to animals.
Recently, scientists discovered what they believe is a 103-year-old orca. What is noted about killer whales is their close knit society. The mammals maintain strong bonds within their kin. This particular whale swam at the head of a pod which included offspring, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Admittedly, the existence of a whale out in the open contract’s Sea World’s earlier assertion that orcas in the wild live between 25 and 35 years.
That said, Sea World did not state that it is impossible for orcas to survive much longer than 35 years. They spoke to the average life span. Sea World’s orca life span claim still remains uncontested. Yet, it is hard to argue against the fact that an orca is happier roaming the open ocean as opposed to swimming in circles inside of a large fish tank.
At the same time, critics of Sea World has deployed the same deceptive tactics that one environmentalist did a decade ago with the famous polar bear on a melting ice cap photo. The polar bear picture led people to believe the animal was sinking into the open sea because its home melted away as a result of global warming. In actuality, the bear was never in danger. Likewise, critics of Sea World have published a photograph of a young viral orca jumping above the water with a caption making it appear to be the 103-year-old orca celebrating its birthday.