California has become the first US state to ban orca breeding and captivity programs and the legislation comes into effect in 2017. At Ecophiles, we welcome this news which follows years of boycotts and legal pressure – killer whales are not meant to be kept for entertainment purposes.
In 2013, the CNN documentary Blackfish brought attention to the practice of capturing young orcas in the wild in the 1970s. This put SeaWorld on the spot for raising orcas in dark, cramped conditions. Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. Director-producer Gabriela Cowperthwaite compiled shocking footage and emotional interviews to explore the creature’s extraordinary nature, the species’ cruel treatment in captivity, the lives and losses of the trainers and the pressures brought to bear by the multi-billion dollar sea-park industry.
The scrutiny led to SeaWorld announcing in March that it would end its orca breeding program and the shows featuring its killer whales.
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A still from Blackfish Photo: Blackfishmovie.com
And now, Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law which states that killer whales already in captivity may remain in the state, but they can only be used for “educational presentations” starting in June.
Elizabeth Hogan, U.S. Oceans and Wildlife Campaign Manager, World Animal Protection says, “California’s ban of the breeding and performance of captive orcas in the state is a huge victory for marine life. This groundbreaking legislation, signed into law by Governor Brown, sends a powerful message to other states and the entire country that orcas belong in the wild, not in captivity for entertainment. The experience of captive marine mammals is a far cry from their natural lives in their wild ocean homes, causing extreme suffering and stress for these intelligent creatures. The passage of this law reflects that the welfare of marine animals is increasingly crucial to the consumer tourist public, which does not want to see wildlife exploited for entertainment.”
The orca is a toothed whale and the largest member of the dolphin family. It is highly social and composed of matrilineal family groups.