Captive Cetaceans: A Handbook for Campaigners - Whale and ...

The World Conservation Monitoring Centre notes that the yearly permits issued may
not necessarily represent actual trade; U.S. Annual CITES Reports indicate one orca
imported from Spain in 1989 and 1994, yet Ulysses is the only orca the U.S. has ever
received from Spain. According to Stefan Ormrod (1995), who played a major role in
the passage of the Zoo Licensing Act in the UK, "there is good reason for being
worried about any animals sent to Spain, which is acknowledged as the gateway to
illegal wildlife trade in the European Community".
Sea World's advertising has been more visible than that of any other marine park.
Under Busch Entertainment Corp., Sea World has hosted a number of televised
events, from the Miss California beauty pageant to Fourth of July extravaganzas and
even environmental awards presentations. Anheuser-Busch advertised lavishly during
the Olympics, promoting both its beer products and theme parks, with official
sponsorship of the 1996 Summer Olympics and 1998 Winter Olympic Games. As a
result of their advertising, the average American sees the Budweiser logo ten times a
day (Smith, 1993).
In marine park shows, animals are conditioned to perform tricks, or behaviours, which
marine parks insist are extensions of natural behaviour. While many species are
indeed naturally athletic, the term "extension" is stretched to the fullest breadth of the
imagination. Orcas do not "naturally" catapult humans into the air, or tolerate being
ridden, climbed upon, or walked on. Dolphins do not "naturally" allow trainers to
"water ski" on their backs, straddling two dolphins, in what is referred to as a Roman
ride. Tail-walking is not a behaviour observed in wild populations of Tursiops, nor is
"breaching" seen among beluga whales. Performances using props present potential
risks of ingesting foreign objects, as do demonstrations of echolocation which use
"eye cups". Marine parks eagerly purchased the "new" eye cups which were
digestible, suggesting their previous hazardous use.
A Sea World advertisement appearing in Mcleans magazine (November 18, 1991)
pictured a child sitting on an orca. The title stated, "Every great theme park has an
unforgettable ride." The caption beneath the photograph states, in part, "When it
comes to memorable experiences, perhaps nothing compares with sitting on the back
of a killer whale. At any number of his Sea World shows, Shamu graces some lucky
child with a thrill that is shared by the entire audience."
Marine parks must be recognised for what they truly represent: aquatic amusement
parks, circuses by another name, operated under the guise of education, conservation
and research.
ii. Public opinion...
"Nationwide polling underscores that the American people overwhelmingly believe
that zoos, aquariums, and marine parks play a key role in protecting animals and
wildlife and in educating the public about the animals, their habitat and environmental
conservation." (AZA/Alliance testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science & Transportation, 1993)
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