We should not allow theme parks to hold Orcas in captivity. Discuss.
In recent years, there has been a huge explosion in the number of theme parks built in many countries over the world as governments try to attract the tourist dollar. While this is undoubtedly beneficial to the countries’ economy, it is debatable whether these benefits outweigh the health risks to the orcas that star in these marine theme parks. Furthermore, the trainers and participants who participate in these attractions may also be vulnerable to the unpredictable actions of the orcas as the orcas are after all, not domesticated but are wild animals. Nonetheless, there are critics who argue that keeping orcas in captivity is safer for them as compared to living a life in the wild. Despite this opinion, I generally believe that the theme parks should not hold orcas in captivity.
To begin with, there are negative effects on orcas in keeping them in captivity. In the wild, orcas are able to travel for 160km a day and are almost always in motion even when they are sleeping, spending less than 20% of their time at the water surface. In addition, the orcas are able to choose to form strong, long lasting social bonds with certain other members of their pod. They are intelligent and altruistic, helping other members of their pod, other species or even human when they are in trouble. Even though the lifespan of the orcas in the wild ranges from 50 to 80 years old, however, when they are in captivity, their average lifespan decreases to 10 years. These orcas require space and complex situations which only the ocean can provide. Due to the performances at the theme park, the orcas would spend more time at the water surface than they normally would in the wild.
Some people say that the lives of the orcas in captivity are less stressful than those in the wild. However, they fail to realize that sometimes, having little or no stress could actually be stressful too. With the limited space the orcas have...