prepare a debate on animals belong in zoo and circuses
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Is it ethical to keep in captivity animals that are normally found in the wild? In recent years, the debate around this question has been heating up, with animal rights advocates convincing an increasing percentage of the public to reconsider its attitudes about zoos, circuses, and theme parks featuring water animals. In the summer of 2016, after a long campaign by animal rights groups, Barnum and Bailey's announced that it would be retiring its elephant performers. Similarly, the marine mammal park SeaWorld announced that it would be phasing out the use of orcas (or killer whales) as performing animals.
In 2013, SeaWorld came under fire for its killer whale program after the release of the documentary Blackfish. The film raised questions about the ethics and safety of holding captive orcas for entertainment. Orcas, which are considered to be among the most intelligent species on Earth and are believed to be capable of complex emotions, are prone to extreme psychological stress as a result of life in captivity and the rigorous training required to perform for audiences. In a January 25, 2013, article for the Los Angeles Times, reporter Amy Kaufman discussed the documentary's argument:
[Samantha] Berg, now 44, is one of eight former park employees who appear in "Blackfish," a documentary that received a strong reception when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month and was quickly acquired by Magnolia Pictures and CNN Films. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the movie examines whales in captivity and one in particular, Tilikum — an orca that has killed three people, including veteran SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
The film...explores the psychology of Tilikum, who was born in the wild near Iceland in 1983, captured and sent to a marine park near Vancouver before coming to SeaWorld in Orlando. Separated from his family, he was bullied by other whales as a calf in captivity. Older female whales raked his skin constantly, and Tilikum ("friend" in Chinook) was kept in a small, dark tank for more than 14 hours at a time — factors the movie suggests may have contributed to his aggression later....
Berg said she came to realize she told numerous things to park-goers that were not true — including that whales live longer in captivity than in the wild. (Orcas can live as long as 80 years in the wild, according to the Vancouver Aquarium.) When she was hired, she was also unaware of Tilikum's dangerous history or that orcas had injured dozens of trainers over the years.
In response to Blackfish, SeaWorld launched a multi-million dollar public relations campaign to address claims made by the documentary. SeaWorld claimed that its animals were "healthy and passionately cared for" and that seeing them perform left visitors "inspired and enriched by their experience with killer whales" and "more aware of the need to preserve the world around [these animals]." Nevertheless, the impact of the film on SeaWorld's bottom line was significant, as the parks reported reduced attendance and lost revenue. Ultimately, in 2016, SeaWorld announced that it would stop using orcas at all of its locations by 2019.
In a similar move, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced in January 2016 that it would end its use of elephants as performers. Animal rights activists had long argued that keeping elephants in captivity was cruel, since in the wild, the species forms strong familial bonds that are broken in captivity. Further, elephants are accustomed to having vast open spaces in which to roam. While Barnum & Bailey contested the claims of critics, arguing that it treated its elephants humanely, it ultimately bowed to changing public attitudes about seeing animals used for entertainment. As Sandra Pedicini wrote in a March 5, 2015 article, for the Orlando Sentinel, the actions of both SeaWorld and Barnum & Bailey reflect a change in attitude:
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announcement Thursday that it will retire its performing elephants is part of a trend of entertainment companies rethinking their use of animals
Americans' attitudes toward animals have changed through the years, theme-park industry experts said. People view them more as companions and pay more attention to their treatment in circuses, zoos and theme parks. Thanks to cable stations such as Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, seeing wild animals in person isn't as exciting now, said Scott Smith, assistant hospitality professor at the University of South Carolina....
Disney's Animal Kingdom, the only Central Florida zoological facility that still keeps elephants, would not comment on Ringling's announcement but said it has not made any changes to its animal exhibits.
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