Santa Monica Assemblyman, Richard Bloom, planned to release a bill that would ban killer whaleshows at SeaWorld, a theme part in San Diego.
"Blackfish", a documentary film released by CNN in 2013 about killer whales in captivity, caused the assemblyman so much rage he proposed a bill March 7 prohibiting orca performances. "There is no justification for the continued captive display of orcas for entertainment purposes,'' Bloom said in a statement upon preparing for the bill's release. "These beautiful creatures are much too large and far too intelligent to be confined in small, concrete tanks for their entire lives.''
The incredible documentary film "Blackfish" unravels the story of Dawn Brancheau, a SeaWorld trainer who was attacked by a killer whale, Tilikum, she cared for, leading to her death in 2010. Dawn Brancheau, unfortunately, is not the only victim of Tilikum. The film explores the complexities of dichotomy -- orcas are beloved and friendly, giant creatures, yet have a capacity to kill viciously while in captivity.
In response to the film, SeaWorld says that the film conveys "false and emotionally manipulative sequences". Though interviews with numbers of employees at SeaWorld reveal the inhuman treatment of orcas being kept in miserable conditions, SeaWorld's message is that boredom and stress in captivity are the main factors that turn these beautiful creatures into ferocious killers. The theme park accuses the filmmakers of relying on animal rights activists disguised as scientists and former SeaWorld employees who had little experience taking care of killer whales.
This bill, if passed, would ban orcas from participating in shows and captive breeding as well as prohibit the import and export of killer whales. However, whales are still allowed to show up in aquarium-like settings. "It is time to end the practice of keeping orcas captive for human amusement." Assemblyman Bloom said in a statement.
Whether what's displayed in the film is worth a ban on killer whale shows or not, watch "Blackfish" and show us your own thoughts!
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