SeaWorld After Tilikum
It has been four months since Tilikum's passing at SeaWorld Orlando. Last Friday, April 28, SeaWorld's pilot whales were moved from Dolphin Stadium to Shamu Stadium. These pilot whales have been the subject of controversy since coming to SeaWorld. Now they occupy the middle tank where Tilikum spent most of his time at the end of his life.
Photo by Heather Murphy/Ocean Advocate News
Jeansonne-Becka said the water at Shamu Stadium was temporarily and gradually adjusted over several days to a safe water temperature for both species to help with their acclimation. Both orcas and pilot whales are found in overlapping habitat areas in the wild, with similar temperature ranges, she said.
These pilot whales came from Florida waters at a time when the water temperature is estimated to be around 70 degrees, similar to the water temperature at Dolphin Stadium. They have been moved to Shamu Stadium where the water temperature is around 55 degrees. Although the water was "temporarily and gradually adjusted" over several days, the change is not permanent. It is questionable what effect this might have had on the orcas, if any, and what the long term effects will be on the pilot whales.
Meanwhile at Dolphin Stadium, SeaWorld has replaced "Blue Horizons" with "Dolphin Days".
SeaWorld claims that "Dolphin Days will entertain and inspire while educating your family about dolphins and their importance to our natural world. Together with a soaring rainbow of tropical birds, sea and sky unite while guests receive an up close look at the relationships the majestic animals have with their trainers."
"Educating your family about dolphins and their importance to our natural world." Hmmm...
Photo by Heather Murphy/Ocean Advocate News
The only thing "Dolphin Days" seems to do for education is to continue to educate guests on how to ride and stand on the dolphins. Sad.
