Life of an Orca

A few weeks ago, I heard the news that a killer whale killed its trainer at the Orlando-based Seaworld. And I cannot stress enough how disturbed I was about this entire incident.

Dawn Brancheau and Tilikum

Though I am a big scaredy cat, I have always been a lover of animals. I remember going on a specific 6th grade field trip to Dana Point. They took us all out on a boat and we got to see dolphins, seals, etc. I don't remember too much of that field trip, but I do distinctly remember being absolutely fascinated with the animals. So, at that tender age of 12 or 13, I began considering a career in marine biology. (I say "considering" because although I really liked the animals, I was still scared of them.)

As a junior in college, marine biology entered my mind again as I desperately tried to find a career path. So I pulled tooth and nail with my friend and we went to visit SeaWorld! Imagine how excited I was! My imagination ran so fast that by the time we parked into SeaWorld, I had already decided to send out my resume for an internship. Then...we went to go see the Shamu show. (I don't remember what it was called back then. Believe?) To my shocking surprise the killer whale's dorsal fin was bent! The trainer said it was because the temperature of the water is not as cold as its natural habitat and told us not to worry as it isn't harmful to the animal. But I was outraged! Just because something is not harmful doesn't mean that it is healthy either! I wish I could say my childhood dreams of becoming a marine biologist came true. Unfortunately, that fateful day resulted in confirming me that marine biology was not where I belonged.

That could've been me up there~

Orcas, commonly known as killer whales, are not actually whales at all! In fact, they are largest member of the dolphin family! That's right! They're really dolphins! But they were dubbed "killer whales" because they are known to have whales in their diet. Also, they are the largest mammals in the world! So large, they actually don't have a natural predator of their own, meaning that they are at the top of the food chain. Sadly, many of them are whale-napped from their homes and put into captivity aka animal parks. Some of the animals who reside in animal parks were rescued but many were not. And, sadly, Tilikum (the whale in question) falls into the latter category.

He was taken from his natural home at age 3 and placed in an animal park in Iceland. There he killed a trainer and subsequently was put on probation. SeaWorld bought him to sire many calves (baby whales). At SeaWorld, he killed a visitor when that man sneaked into the park after hours to go swimming with him. SeaWorld stated that Tilly (short for Tilikum) is not responsible for that man's death because the man should not have been there in the first place and because Tilly may have thought he was playing. Still with his previous records and his sheer size (he was the biggest killer whale at SeaWorld) only a third of the trainers there were allowed to work with him. With his recent killing of his trainer, Dawn Brancheau, Tilly is now on trial as to whether or not he should be put down.

I mean no disrespect to the trainer nor her family but this is ridiculous! Tilikum is a wild animal who does not belong in a swimming pool tank! He belongs in the ocean with his family and friends! Doesn't anyone see that Tilly is really the victim here! Also, I truly do not believe that his trainer would want him to be put down. She was aware of the dangers that came with her job and yet she still went to do it because she loved it. And she loved her job because she, too, was an animal lover. And she would not want anyone to harm her animals, including Tilikum.

Free Tilly!

As for me, this incident with Tilly brought back my divided feelings about animal parks. I do think that these parks are holding these animals in captivity and thus is a form of animal cruelty. And yet, I can't help but to be amazed by them and to be drawn to them. They are magnificent creatures who show just how great our God is, and it humbles me.

God is so awesome! It takes my breath away...