Seaworld; FREE TILLY!

Today, my friend Nikki (a.ka. castmember) and I decided to write a blog post on something that's been on our minds for a while.
This is a somewhat different post than usual. I just wanted to share my opinion on a topic that I'd never really thought about before; Seaworld. In particular, the orcas that live there.

After watching the documentary 'Blackfish', I feel completely saddened by the idea of capturing a whale of an orcas magnitude and keeping it hostage, training it, using it as a toy, and ultimately, killing it. That's essentially what Seaworld is for these animals, a torture chamber. 
After you watch Blackfish, I can guarantee you'll feel the same as we do.

The documentary raised more than a few eyebrows when it was released, and has already impacted change. It shaped my entire outlook on Seaworld and exposed the park to the horrors it really endures on these magnificent creatures.
I don't want to go into too much detail, that's what the documentary is for, but it basically revealed the life of Tilikum, the largest male in Seaworld, and a killer.
Is anyone surprised these whales lash out? They belong in the sea with their family. But instead he was ripped away from his mother and forced to preform, alone in an empty tank, which lets face it, doesn't exactly look like the sea. He is constantly exposed to loud noises from the endless shows, which he is extremely sensitive to.  I feel as though people don't really think sea creatures have feelings or emotions on the same scale as us. But in fact, orcas are extremely intelligent creatures that feel just as much emotion as us.

Are we not horrified that elephants were once (and sadly still are) used to preform in circuses? Is this not the same kind of torture?

I don't know what we can really do now. We've taken away these animals lives and I for one am disgusted.
I don't know what your thoughts on Seaworld are, but I always thought the animals were happy being in captivity. (I'm naive.) I've even been to Seaworld, Florida. I can honestly say I will never EVER be returning to Seaworld, even if you paid me. To support them is to support animal cruelty. 

I never fathomed how sad and lonely these creatures are..

I hope this has enlightened you, and encouraged you to watch the documentary and sign this petition to finally, free Tilly. 
http://www.change.org/petitions/seaworld-inc-humanely-release-the-orca-whale-known-as-tilikum-to-a-seapen-for-rehab


Sian x