PETA Demonstrators: "Boycott SeaWorld" and "Free Tilly!"
By Karin Bennett
This past weekend's weather may have snowed in New Yorkers and sent Hawaiians running for the hills, but pouring rain in both Orlando and San Diego didn't slow down PETA demonstrators outside SeaWorld amusement parks. Armed with wellies and warnings, they delivered urgent messages about SeaWorld's ticking time bombs.
Experts agree: Whales like Tilly, who grabbed and killed his trainer in front of horrified SeaWorld patrons last week, should not be crammed into tiny tanks and trained to perform tricks for their dinner. These marine mammals are 6 tons of frustration and misery, and it's really only a matter of time before tragedy strikes again. SeaWorld's cruelty to Tilly and other captive orcas is bad enough, but the corporation's refusal to stop cashing in on the whales is also irresponsible and dangerous.
As for me, I've only seen orcas once, and that was from deck of a ferry boat in Seattle. They were leaping out of the Puget Sound, and the whole scene took my breath away. Like anyone else who's ever spotted these magnificent animals living as nature intended, I know that their sad lives at SeaWorld is nothing like it.
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Kilroy, you make a very valid point. the only time these people come out is if they can somehow make a name for themselves by it. They were there very briefly after the dolphin incident at discovery cove a few years ago and they let the biggest twit i have ever seen speak on their behalf. Lets get a few things straight here...
1. The animals are not FORCED to do anything. Can you imagine trying to FORCE a 6 ton animal to do something? Please...
2. They do not perform TRICKS for their dinner. The animals are fed no matter what people. They are given treats for doing a behavior (that, btw they would be doing in the wild all on their own, they are just trained to do it on command) when directed. Be it presenting their fluke for a blood draw, or a great leap creating many memories for thousands of people. Kind of like giving your dog a treat when he sits or doesnt crap on the carpet when you leave him alone all day.
3. Tilly is not frustrated or miserable. You would not believe how well the animals there are treated. better than most humans! They all have the best in medical care not to mention people who understand them to play and interact to keep things fresh.
So once again, PETA , stop sensationalizing yourself to try to seem better than anyone else. your pathetic little drones are not going to stop a corporation like SW because they have years of experience in the proper ways to handle animals. Why do you never mention all the efforts of SW to rescue, rehab and release animals that have been the victims of stupid human errors? Go cover the good news of all the people helping with the oil leak and get off SW's back!
I understand that people have very definite opinions on what is right, and what is wrong when it comes to animal rights . I am glad that there are people out there willing to stand up for the rights of those that cannot speak for themselves. I respect those that are willing to go the extra mile to make sure people realize there are another side to things. However, I am curious why we never see or hear from groups like PETA unless it is news worthy? I live near Orlando. I have my entire life. I have never once seen anything at all from any animal rights group before this. Why is it suddenly an urgent message, or even a ticking time bomb? It is the same establishment now as it was a month before this happened, but there was no one around then with a PETA sign. It seems rather opportunistic.