RIP Tilikum, Finally Free

[Debby]

The big bull orca Tilikum, who notoriously killed three trainers in his 35 years of life, has finally died at SeaWorld. Now finally he is free and has joined Granny, another orca on the West Coast who died at the age of 105. As well as his notoriety for the trainer deaths, he is the orca that inspired the movie Black Fish.

While Seaworld is apparently trying to suggest that Tilikum died in his old age, Granny's death in the wild at the age of 105 shows that Tilikum was not a senior. Whales of any sort do not belong in little tanks unless the goal is to kill them while young.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-seaworld-tilikum-died-20170106-story.html

 

[mrstime]

Having seen Black Fish I won't mourn Tilikums death, as for him the cage is finished. Wish his life could have been a normal whales life free in the sea.

 

[Debby]

Everyday on my FB feed, I get news from around the world and I get news and videos about how we humans use animals. The sad story of this dead orca is the good news this weekend, compared to the other stories. We are a cruel and uncaring species overall and nothing will convince me otherwise.

Personally, I've decided to not use the name people gave this whale because it wasn't how his family will have known him when he was stolen from them. Think of it as a matter of respect for a being who was not ours to name. I'm also glad he's dead because now he's finally free of us.

 

[WhatInThe]

One of the aquariums said they would not have the whales do shows and put them in a more natural setting which winds up being nothing different decorations on the same tank. I think it was San Diego. I think they said whales in captivity will be for educational purposes only.

 

[Debby]

Doesn't make any difference to the whales does it, but I guess this is the effort to soothe the publics irritation. Personally, I hope it doesn't work and we all stay irritated.