Joe and I watched the (link) documentary on CNN, last night. We were appalled. Witnessing the agony of mother whales as their calves were taken from them was heart-wrenching. Learning that huge orcas have been contained in small spaces, sometimes for fourteen hours at a time, was maddening. Seeing collapsed fins... well, you know... just freakin' Free Willy, will ya...
But the worst nightmare of all was learning of Sea World's denial of knowledge that death and further threats against trainers had existed for decades. Secrecy. Why? Well, you know... the almighty dollar ruled. Take away Shamu shows and there goes the profit. OMG. Human life at such high risk of brutal death. Trainers' lives meant nothing to management.
And to think, we just enjoyed Mystic Acquarium.
The questions become,
"Are you opposed to zoos, aquariums and circuses? Will you continue to take your children and grands to see wild animals in captivity?
Enter Jack Hanna. In the post-show discussion, I knew exactly what he'd say. And he did. It's kind of like us and Mystic. We'd never given a thought to beluga whales. I truly fell in love. Further research taught me all about them... what threatens them... how we can help. Still, the vision of them swimming by exists in my mind's eye. Smiling faces? And like Jack observed, would we ever have given a thought to the unknown, without coming face to face with its inhabitants? Is he right? Is this mandatory to our caring?
Moral of the story:
I am so very torn, this morning.
