Animals in captivity

**BigRedV** · 26-02-2010 10:53

I was shocked when I heard on the tv this morning, they were still talking about what to do with the whale that "drowned" its trainer. Thankfully, they are not talking about killing the whale anymore.

The poor whale shouldn't have been in captivity anyway IMO

It annoys me when someone is killed by an animal, especially in the wild and they try and hunt the animal down and kill it.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...section=justin

**sockstealingpoltergeist** · 26-02-2010 10:57

I agree so wrong. Animals arn't meant to be performers.

It makes feel awful when I hear of such things. It's why I would never again go to a circus with animals in it.

**bellarosey** · 26-02-2010 10:59

This would also apply to a zoo I am led to believe. Do you enjoy going to the zoo as I certainly do. Some animals are better left out in the wild but that will never happen.

**CookiesRYum** · 26-02-2010 10:59

I think it's sad that the lady died, but it just reinforces that some if not all wild animals should not be kept in captifity.

Whales travel the worlds oceans and cover massive distances in their lifetime - they have had this poor whale confined for almost 30 years in a space relatively as big (or small) as a bath tub

Poor whale wouldn't even be able to survive if realised... I did read talk of them relocating it to a control part of the ocean..

I respect that to an extend some animals will be kept captivity for breeding and research etc; but having them locked up for pure entertainment at these seaworlds etc is sickening...

**SassyMummy** · 26-02-2010 11:04

I don't go to circuses with animals - everyone thinks I'm a mean mother for depriving DD of such things, but what's good about performing animals? What kind of life must they lead?

I feel the same about the killer whale incident. I think it's horrible that they've got a killer whale in such a small environment. It's not that much bigger (though it is a lot deeper) than your average swimming pool.

It's not a domesticated animal that is used to a restricted life (like cats or dogs), but instead a wild animal that has gotten sold so a bunch of people can cheer and laugh at it, and SeaWorld can make a LOT of money.

It's cruel. It's wrong. I'm sure the trainer cared a lot about the whale, but the fact is, it's a wild animal. It SHOULD be in the wild.

This is nothing new either. It's attacked before. So have other performing wild animals.

This really shouldn't have come to a shock to anyone.

**Looshkin** · 26-02-2010 11:10

I hate, and wont go to zoos either for this reason, it makes me terribly sad to see all of those animals that should be in the wild in a little cage. Aquariums I feel less bad about when it is small fish in very large tanks, I do feel horrible about seals/birds/dolphins/whales/sharks that should have the entire ocean as their home not a stingy pool.

I was just watching a docco on tigers on discovery, on how critically endangered they are that they think they will be extinct in a few years and that there are only 5 - 7 thousand left in the wild in the entire world. Made me want to

**FiveInTheBed** · 26-02-2010 11:25

Orcas (which are more closely realted to dolphins than whales) are highly intelligent!
so are many many wild animals that are kept in captivity.

whilst I do enjoy the looks on my kids faces at a zoo -it can be very obvious that alot of the animals held there are suffering depression when kept in enclosures too small, or not stimulating enough. Some animals though are only just hanging on to the brink of extinction thanks to mankind - in both negative and positive ways...man almost wiped them out and now are rehabilitating, growing their number s and releasing them into the wild.
If the keepers use their opportunity to educate rather than entertain I don't mind the odd animal kept [humanely] in captivity.

We have a pet Maquarie river turtle - he is in a reasonable sized tank - nothing compared to what he would swim in if in the wild - but he is loved - cared for and used to educate my kids on the beauty of nature and to understand how the balance should work.

I much prefer to see footage of them in their natural habitat.

**RoarsomeMum** · 26-02-2010 11:32

Originally Posted by CaraT

I respect that to an extend some animals will be kept captivity for breeding and research etc; but having them locked up for pure entertainment at these seaworlds etc is sickening...

I agree in a way.. it IS sickening (as far as these animals should be out in their OWN environment preforming the same "tricks" for their natural purpose, to defend from enemy or attract mate, or seek food..)

but As you said, Some WILL be kept in captivity.. places like seaworld and the Zoo and the "entertainment" via animal places, add $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to the funds that help to keep the animals well cared for, safe, as close to their own "natural habitats" as humanly possible, and also fund many being released back into the wild (when it is safe and appropriate.)

I am not sure the ends justify the means.. but I am no expert in the field either.

**SassyMummy** · 26-02-2010 11:32

I'm not against zoos if the animals have a reasonable amount of space to move. I think zoos can do a lot for endangered species and educating people about various animals.

Their lives aren't the same as they would be if they were in the wild, and I can see both negatives and positives in that. However, they're not performing. They're not forced to do things that are not natural to them.

**Ana Gram** · 26-02-2010 11:34

Orcas should not be expected to do tricks for humans. No animal should.

I am in two minds about zoos. In the ideal world, they wouldn't exist. But we don't live in an ideal world. All zoos could do better with the welfare of the animals that live there. Zoos should have more of a conservation focus.

The sad thing is, it isn't as simple as releasing animals back to the wild as they would not be safe. The animals already in the wild are not safe.