My Dream Was To Work At SeaWorld. Then I Woke Up To Reality.

<p> mliu92 / <a class="checked-link" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mliu92/7499398372/" target="_blank">Flickr </a>(<a class="checked-link" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY SA-2.0</a>)<span></span> </p>
<p> mliu92 / <a class="checked-link" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mliu92/7499398372/" target="_blank">Flickr </a>(<a class="checked-link" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY SA-2.0</a>)<span></span> </p>

When I little, I had this dream that I would work at SeaWorld. I was so sure I would be great at "training" the seals, dolphins and orcas. I loved them all so much, and wanted to work with them. I eventually learned that I'd have to study to be a "Marine Bilologist [sic]" and, because I was so young, would say that messed up pronunciation each time I talked about what I wanted to do. It was all for SeaWorld, since they held the animals I loved most! I was excited.

The first time I went to SeaWorld, I was still young and so thrilled. I sat in the bleachers and watched as my beloved animals leaped and touched their noses to a ball at the whistles' command. I don't remember much about the details of the entire day, but I know that the best part came when the orcas performed. I always thought they looked so angry and menacing, which scared and fascinated me. To see them play made them look sweet and human-like. I loved them, and even back then I remember thinking that it was the best thing in the world to see them yet it didn't feel right. I knew they were playing, but it seemed like a fantasy world. Despite my desire to see orcas, it felt wrong. I had no idea why at the time, but it made me sad to think of them in that show.

I had gone to SeaWorld a few more times growing up and each time made me wonder why it was such a popular and fun experience, yet mixed with negativity. I decided that I did not want to work at SeaWorld because it just felt bad. I did not return there, but still enjoyed any opportunity to learn about orcas.

I was fortunate enough to visit the Whale Museum on the San Juan Islands off of Washington State. I loved the museum and learned more about whales there than I ever had at SeaWorld! In fact, the staff knew the whale pods and each individual whale in their area. They did not tag them, trap them, or shoot at them. They only watched them through binoculars at a safe distant away and photographed their dorsal fins for identification. I saw binders holding pages and pages of photos identifying what pods and whales. I even saw a whale pod as they migrated through the Haro Strait. On the boat, we watched the orca pod as they swam by, and then stopped to play. Well, it appeared like they were playing as they leapt out of the water, poked their heads up, and swam along side their babies to the waters' surface. I remember thinking how different they acted and looked in the wild versus the tanks of SeaWorld. I remember thinking, these animals were even more magnificent in their own environment, so why the hell would we need whistles and balls when they have everything they need and want in the ocean? They were so beautiful and they were free.The experience of seeing the orca pods live as they should made me wonder, how did marine parks get their show animals? What was their life like everyday once they were part of a show? I was scared to look into it, since I saw the free orcas and could not imagine intervening with nature. I forced myself to learn, because I love these animals too much to ignore what humans do to them.

After much research and watching documentaries like "Lolita: Slave to Entertainment," I was horrified at what went on behind the scenes. I felt so foolish for not investigating sooner, but I knew that I would never, ever give any more money to a marine park. Yes, seeing the animals is amazing, but it is at a huge cost to the animals. If I love them and respect them, how on Earth could I ever justify voting with my dollars to keep them confined and living an unnatural life? I laughed at the thoughts I used to have that I'd be helping the animals if I worked at SeaWorld and became their trainer. I think it's obvious that they do not need human training. Out of the wild, they are only a product that makes money for our entertainment. It is cruel, it is ignorant, and it is wrong, in my opinion.

Thank you to Sea Shepherd for all the hard work you do for marine animals. Thank you to the documentary "Blackfish" for educating the public more on this problem of animal abuse. A huge thanks to Paul Watson for recently writing an amazing article on alternatives to sea circuses: "If I Were The CEO Of SeaWorld." These organizations, documentaries and articles make me so happy to see progression and education!

My dream of working at SeaWorld died long ago, and I never again gave them another dollar as a guest either. If Paul Watson's ideas were implemented, I'd be so excited to support SeaWorld and spread the word on how it amazing it is. Until then, may the orcas and marine animals know that humans can be good. We just need a lot of training.