The last orca slave show in San Diego will be performed this Sunday!

[MoonRiver]

The slaves will then be free, hopefully to be successfully rehabilitated into the wild. One problem is that many, if not all, were born into slavery. A massive sea pen is the answer, at least temporarily, imo.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38547509/seaworld-san-diego-hosts-final-one-ocean-orca-show-on-sunday

[hunter]

1. Freeing these whales is so much more difficult than chimpanzees or orangutans.

As great apes ourselves, we have some idea what "freedom" might mean to other great apes, even those who cannot, for various reasons, be expected to survive on their own in the wilderness. We can create environments for them that are similar to natural environments, and we can closely monitor their assimilation into communities.

We humans simply don't know much what it's like to live as a killer whale in the open ocean; what skills are necessary, what dangers there are, how whales interact socially. Certainly, we know some, but it's not possible for humans to observe orca behavior to the extent Jane Goodall watches chimpanzees or Dian Fossey watched gorillas.

And recreating a protected environment for these huge, far ranging animals is impossible.

I'm glad these barbaric shows are ending. I'm glad humans are beginning to realize we share this planet with many other sentient species who have feelings and social structures very similar to our own.

[Maru Kitteh]

2. So glad to see this barbarism beginning to draw to a close.

[wordpix]

3. good riddance to the slave show forever!

These poor animals deserve their freedom