Analysis of Black Fish Documentary - Movie Review Example

Argumentative Essay: Black Fish After viewing the documentary, Black Fish I realized the extentof grave injustices we commit to not just animals but also humans when we bind wild and killer animals in concrete cages and pools. Sea World Orlando, a theme park, would argue otherwise. They say that these animals provide meaningful experiences to humans and that these animals may not survive in the long run if left in their own natural habitats. On the other hand, I argue that SeaWorld Orlando has twisted facts and figures to support their own multimillion company. For example, they continue to overlook major accidents where their own trainers have died while interacting with their whales. In this paper, I would present my argument to the effect that keeping killer whales as a form of entertainment is both detrimental for the trainers and the whales. These whales pose a danger to human lives and therefore need to be freed back to their natural habitats. The biggest case that can be made against SeaWorlds claim is the death of their own trainer, Dawn Brancheau. Dawn Brancheau was a committed trainer and was experienced in dealing with the killer whales. She interacted with the whales on a daily basis and even conducted relationship sessions with these whales. The objective of these sessions was to improve on the bondage between the whales and the trainers. What is most ironic is that it was during one of these sessions hat Dawn Brancheau was not just attacked but brutally killed during the session. She began a victim to one of the most vicious animal attack as she suffered multiple injuries on her body. These included brutal injuries to her head, liver laceration, fracture of the sternum, dislocation of the knee and the left arm (Cowperthwaite, 1:10:54). SeaWorld presented their own version of the truth when they explained the death of one of their expert trainers. SeaWorld commented that Brancheau was aware of the risk that she was putting when she trained with the killer. A SeaWorld Executive commented that if Brancheau would have alive, she would have agreed that it was her fault and her miscalculation in dealing with the whale. The company even implied that Brancheaus death was a result of her wearing her hair in a ponytail which acted as a stimulant for the whale. SeaWorld claimed that this was an isolated event and was just negligence on the part of the trainer (Cowperthwaite). However, most of their claims are flimsy at best. When SeaWorld trainers and Brancheaus colleagues heard of her death, they were shocked because Brancheau was one of the best trainers and they considered it unjust to imply that Brancheau was responsible for her own death. Also I would like to point to the fact that Brancheaus death was not an isolated incident. There have been incidences with the same killer whale, Tillikum. On February 20, 1991, Tilikum committed her first murder when she, along with two other whales, pulled a part time trainer and marine biology student, Kelite Byrne into the pool and attack her to death. Byrne tried to climb out of the pool but was outmaneuvered by three killer whales as onlookers continued to watch ("Over 30 years and 3 Deaths: Tilikums Tragic Story"). Sealand, the then owner of Tilikum, protected the whale by claiming that it was not Tilikum but the other whales who instigated the attack. However, two onlookers say otherwise in the documentary, Black Fish (Cowperthwaite, 00:19:01). This was not just one incident but Tilikum was also responsible for another death in 1999 when a name by the name of Daniel Dukes was found dead in the whale enclosure, draped over Tilikums back. Dukes had entered the park without the knowledge of the authorities and was found dead in the morning with severe lacerations on the body. SeaWorld claimed that Tilikum had only attacked when Dukes had drowned and died of hypothermia ("Corpse found on a whale") . The autopsy was unable to present a conclusive cause of death and thus SeaWorld was not held responsible. The three deaths on their own are not enough to implicate Tilikum and the theme park, SeaWorld but when seen together, I believe it is quite clear that friendly interaction between the whales and the trainers is not possible. Killer Whales are meant to live in their natural habitats and when they are taken out of it, they become aggressive. The death of the trainers is proof that these killers are not meant for an amusement park. However, SeaWorld would claim that these killer whales provide entertainment to millions of people. The theme park also claims that these killer whales are better off living under the care of expert trainers where they are properly feed and trained (Cowperthwaite, 00:40:59). However, under the light of the documentary, Black Fish, I would argue that this is not true. While it is true that these killer whales provide entertainment to millions of Canadian and even tourists coming in Canada, these killer whales are not meant for this environment. Their physical condition is proof that these killer whales are not happy in their environment. Often lacerations are found in the bodies of these whales (Cowperthwaite, 00:42:55). These whales show aggressive behavior to each other. Since they confined in a concrete pool that is hardly able to contain them, they have no way of expressing their aggression other than attacking each other and themselves. The concrete pool that houses them, I would argue, is too small for them. I make this claim based on the fact that these killer whales swim hundreds of miles on an average day. Also the dorsal fins of these killer whales have collapsed while living in the confined spaces. SeaWorld claims that dorsal fins collapse over time and this is natural. However, collapsed dorsal fins are a sign of unhealthy killer whales. This clearly suggests that SeaWorld is being inhumane by captivating these killer whales(Kennedy). SeaWorld claims that the life of these killer whales is extended when they receive such proper care. SeaWorld told its trainers that the average life of killer whales is 30 to 50 years. However, SeaWorld has a history of twisting facts. The average life of a male killer whale is 60 to 70 years while that of the average female is 90 to 100 years (" 8 Reasons Orcas dont belong to at SeaWorld"). SeaWorld trainers have repeatedly told in the video, Black Fish that they were often told inaccurate information about these killer whales. The trainers assumed that SeaWorld had more information about these whales than they did so they never challenged the information (Kuo). In their defense, SeaWorld could claim that their side of the story was never told in the documentary. However, this is not entirely true. During the filming of the documentary, the directors and producers continuously asked SeaWorld to provide their comments and insights but they refused on several counts (Cowperthwaite, 01:18:15). This suggests something is not right at SeaWorld since they cannot defend themselves. In conclusion, I would say that killer whales should not be confined to the theme park. Putting them out for display is cruel for these animals. It fosters an aggressive behavior in them which is detrimental to the trainers placed in proximity with these killer whales. The trainers continue to live with the killer whales for an extended period of time but even then they are unable to judge when these killer whales would strike. These killer whales are unpredictable and dangerous and therefore it would be morally wrong to put them in cages not meant for them. Works Cited "8Reasons Orcas dont belong at SeaWorld," Sea World of Hurt, n.d Retrieved May 13, 2015 Cowperthwaite, Gabriela, dir, "Blackfish", Magnolia Pictures, 2013, Film "Corpse Is Found on Whale". New York Times. July 7, 1999. Retrieved May 13, 2015 Kennedy, Jennifer, "Killer Whales (Orca) Dorsal Fin Collapse", About Education, n.d. Retrieved May 13, 2015 Kuo, Vivian, Orca trainer saw best of Keiko, worst of Tilikum, CNN, October 23, 2013, Retrieved May 13, 2015 "Over 30 years and 3 Deaths: Tilikums Tragic Story", SeaWorld of Hurt, n.d. Retrieved Retrieved May 13, 2015 Read More