Tag Archives: SeaWorld

Death is Tilikum’s Only Escape From SeaWorld

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By Kirsten Massebeau

Ripped from his family 35 years ago Tilikum the star of the film “Blackfish” has been diagnosed with a deadly respiratory infection that cannot be cured.  SeaWorld continues to update the public trying to convince the world that “they care” but in reality all SeaWorld saw in Tilikum was a river of golden sperm that would further their breeding program. Through constant sexual abuse SeaWorld employees collected sperm artificially inseminating female whales, producing 21 calves within the SeaWorld prison system. Those baby orcas, were then ripped from their mothers sides, and shipped to other SeaWorld’s where they too must perform to eat. Many have died or become aggressive, never knowing a true family or the rhythms of the sea, their true home. They are a generation of slaves born into the SeaWorld prisons.

Sexually Abused Tilikum was SeaWorld’s main victim for their breeding program.

Despite the backlash from the film “Blackfish” documenting the death of Dawn Brancheau, the trainer killed by Tilikum, SeaWorld has made no positive changes for Tilikum or any of the orcas languishing at their many facilities in the United States and abroad.

Tilikum will never know the impact he has made on the captive industry. His story, supported by objective data, details a cruel environment that destroyed an orcas mind and spirit, who was kidnapped at the age of two destined to live out a life of torture, and terror for 35 years, killing three humans beings along the way. His message was loud and clear but SeaWorld and the captive industry would never listen.  Now his only escape is death as he dreams of the Icelandic ocean, the rhythms of the sea, and the family he will never see.

As Tilikum’s condition continues to deteriorate dolphin activist communities and scientists are pledging that they will increase the pressure on the cetacean prison camps and all dolphinariums worldwide. It’s time to empty the tanks and give dolphins and whales the retirement and restitution owed to them by the captive industry which is a failed experiment in every way as evidenced by the tragic life of Tilikum.

PBS Stands Behind Lie To The Public That Keiko Star Of Free Willy Who Lived 5 Years Free Died The First Year of Release

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By Kirsten Massebeau

Keiko swims free on 2002 by the Orca NetworkIn their lopsided article entitled article, “In danger or endangered? Will world’s lonliest orca be released into the wild?” PBS discusses the release of Lolita the captive whale at the Miami Seaquarium and her possible release if she obtains endangered species status along with her family, still present in the Puget Sound L-Pod.

In this atricle PBS has made a huge blunder. In what looks like a pro-cap move the giant super station has contended that Keiko the star of “Free Willy” who was later released only lived one year in the wild promptly dying. Sadly PBS has not vetted their source or they do not want the world to know the truth as described in the documentary, “Keiko The Untold Story”.

Why PBS quoted Hari Sreenivasan, printing his lie obviously defending orca captivity is the question? “Keiko was the iconic killer whale that starred in the movie “Free Willy”. Keiko was released into the waters off Norway in 2002 but died alone a year later of pneumonia”.(source)

Apparently PBS would have preferred to see Keiko die in a tank truly alone far from the ocean. Howard Garrett Director of the Orca Network and expert on Lolita’s release and Keiko’s life was not included in the interview . Instead Pro-captivity Hari Sreenivasangot got the last word.

This is how PBS Ombsbudsman Marcia A. Apperson, Assistant Director PBS Ombudsman’s Office Responded to my question on their blatant lie:

Ms. Massebeau:
Several messages our office received about this report were forwarded to the PRODUCERS. Here is the response they sent:
Thank you for your comments. It is true that proposed plans to move Lolita, the killer whale, includes time for her to get re-acclimated into the wild before being released completely.  We addressed this briefly in the story. Here is that line: 
 
“That could lead to Lolita being re-acclimated over time and eventually released back into the waters off Seattle, where she was captured in 1970.”
 
It is also true Keiko, the iconic killer whale that starred in the movie “Free Willy,” also had time to acclimate to the wild.  A year after Keiko was fully released into the wild, Keiko died.  We understand there is a passionate debate around Keiko’s death and whether she was properly prepared for returning to the wild or if she died simply of natural causes.  In the future PBS NewsHour may have the opportunity to do an in-depth story about this important debate.
 Best,
Marcia Assistant Director, PBS Ombudsman’s Office
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