PR Straight Talk

Tilikum, the Orca Whale at Seaworld, must be saved.  Orcas are great intelligent beings, and should not be confined to pools that are far too small for their size and spirit.  The ocean is their natural habitat – and in the case of Tilikum – who did not intentionally kill its trainer – it should be released to a larger environment and not killed.  Tilicum and the other Orcas are energetically suppressed at Seaworld.  A terrible thing.  Like the other Orcas at Seaworld in Orlando – and other entertainment parks – the Orcas are confined because they are an entertainment attraction that bring in big bucks.  This must stop. The Orca does not deserve this.

Tilikum is now confined to an even smaller space – a tiny holding space – where it can barely move.  This is atrocious – cruel – horrible.  Because Tilikum has been confined for so long, it should be moved to an Ocean area much, much larger than the pool at Seaworld, yet that has wide and large boundaries so it is under some kind of protection, but not a crippling protection.

Mark Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals, who was interviewed for Enrichment.com [see: www.Enrichment.com (Enrichment.com Interviews Mark Bekoff, author, The Emotional Lives of Animals) said in Psychology Today:  “Unfortunately, killer whales and other highly sentient beings are shipped here and there from one zoo or aquarium to another to be used in shows that generate a lot of money. We need to respect these beings for who they are and not put them on display as if they’re some sort of commodity or object who live for our own entertainment, because they’re not. Indeed, many whales possess spindle cells that are important in processing various emotions and anyone who’s been around orcas and other cetaceans know that they are extremely emotional beings. Some people argue that cetaceans may fulfill the criteria for being called ‘persons.’”

Michael Yaki, writing for SF Gate, said:  “Does a species that research shows has its own unique language and dialects, … that has documented teaching behavior passed between generations, whose brain is complex enough to process multiple dimensions of sound and sight, and who is built for the open water, deserve to be subject to the bounds of concrete tanks? Is there something inherent in their conditions that, for lack of a better word, drive some of them crazy? … Let’s not just free Willy. Let’s free them all.”

Please send an urgent protest letter or fax to the two people who can save Tilikum.  Demand that Tilikum be saved, and sent to a larger environment.  Demand that all the Orcas be removed from Seaworld and returned to the ocean or sent to a much larger environment where their spirits can soar – and where the cruelty of confinement can end.  Demand compassion NOW.  Protest the exploitation of these great Beings for monetary gain.  Protest your refusal to visit Seaworld unless and until Tilikum is saved, and the Orcas are rescued from this horrible confinement.

Mr. Keith M. Kasen

Chairman and President

Seaworld Parks & Entertainment

9205 South Park Center Loop

Suite 400

Orlando, FL 32819

FAX:   314-613-6049

Phone: 314-577-2000

and

Mr. Stephen A. Schwarzman

Chairman & CEO

Blackstone Group

345 Park Avenue, 31^st floor

New York, NY 10154

FAX:   212-583-5712

Phone: 212-583-5000

The Blackstone Group is an alternative asset management group which owns Seaworld Parks & Entertainment.  Its sole purpose is to make money.  Mr. Schwarzman must be told in no uncertain terms that the sacred lives of the Orcas must not be hijacked for profits.  It is an abomination!!