A Malaysian viewpoint on the tragic Sea World accident

[Guest guest]

Saturday March 6, 2010

Appreciate animals in the wild, not captivity

 

WHILE our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of SeaWorld trainer Dawn

Brancheau who was killed by a killer whale “SeaWorld killer whale kills

trainer” (*The Star*, Feb 25), our concern must also be directed at Tilikum,

the killer whale implicated in three human deaths so far.

 

Killer whales, like all wild animals, have complex behavioural, physical and

social needs, which can never be fully satisfied in captivity.

 

Killer whales require lots of open water and the lifelong companionship of

their families.

 

Any programme involving wild animals in captivity should place emphasis on

educating the public on the natural history of each animal and the need to

conserve their habitats.

 

What we typically have are animal shows where intelligent and sensitive

animals are made to perform circus tricks.

 

Such shows serve no purpose other than to entertain spectators and to assert

man’s purported dominance over other living beings.

 

Marine mammal biologist for the US Humane Society Dr Naomi Rose has warned

that Tilikum may kill again as he is unused to humans being in the same

tank, and he is forced to react in a way that seems natural to him.

 

Marine biologists are urging that killer whales in captivity be released

into sea pens to ease their transition back into the ocean, and the keeping

of marine mammals in captivity be gradually phased out from zoos and marine

animal parks.

 

Marineland, a marine mammal park in Napier, New Zealand, for instance,

closed down after its last dolphin died and the authorities would not renew

permits to introduce new animals.

 

This move demonstrates the New Zealand government’s commitment to protecting

wildlife and marine mammals.

 

While it is a blessing that Malaysia does not as yet have a marine mammal

park, it is hoped that in future, all travelling shows featuring performing

wild animals be banned.

 

The recent travelling Dolphin and Sea Lion Show at Sunway Pyramid, for

example, attracted complaints over the welfare of the performing animals.

 

However, the authorities treated the travelling show as another tourism and

business opportunity.

 

The advice of animal protection groups, at best, had nothing more than

persuasive value on the way the travelling show was allowed to operate, and

at worst, was regarded as a threat to business interests.

 

Humans must learn that we cannot predict, let alone control, the natural

behaviours of wild animals.

 

The idea that we can tame wild animals is a dangerous illusion.

 

The correct way to appreciate wildlife is in the wild, and those who

proclaim to love marine mammals should go on whale and dolphin-watching

cruises, not to marine mammal shows.

 

I believe our society is evolved and compassionate enough to understand that

the correct way to help wild animals is not by keeping them captive and

dependent on humans, but by protecting, revitalising and restoring natural

environments that they will be able to sustain a healthy wildlife population

again.

 

*WONG EE LYNN,*

 

*Petaling Jaya.*

 

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/6/focus/5805478 & sec=focus