Week One, Post Two

Recently, an orca named Tilikum passed away after living in captivity since 1983. For most of that time, he performed in various shows in places such as SeaWorld, where he spent his last 24 years of life. Tilikum was involved in the deaths of three different people, two of which were SeaWorld employees. Another victim was a man who had snuck into the park after hours.

I bring this event up because this is a biology class and this event is in regards to the captivity of a certain life form-- a certain species-- and some of the ethical issues that this brings. up. Biological ethical issues are prevalent because they are very relevant to the human race, humanity, and the preservation of species in an ethical way. For example, there were several debates over how the deaths of the individuals could have been the result of taking animals out of their natural habitat and forcing them to live in a much less diverse and less nurturing environment. It is thought that Tilikum's death was the cause of a lung infection, which is apparently common for whales and dolphins in captivity. I thought it was an interesting event worth thinking about and exploring.

Actually, I bring it up because I hate it. I hate that Tilikum was taken away from his family and forced to turn tricks for commercialism. I hate that it is even a thing that happened. In class we talk about fitness and natural selection and it is humans that seem to often disrupt ecosystems and cause an imbalance in what is natural. Tilikum did not even have the chance to exist in his natural habitat and truly experience what his life should be like. It is a very personal opinion, but learning of Tilikum's death was very heartbreaking.