WASHINGTON—The HSUS is calling on Sea World to stop all
in-water work with captive orcas in response to the attack by a
killer whale on his trainer during a performance at the
company’s San Antonio park on Friday. The HSUS is also urging
the USDA and Marine Mammal Commission to investigate the
incident.
The behavior of an orca, a male named Ky, during the show
last Friday should not come as a surprise. “Wild animals can be
dangerous and pose a risk to people who come into contact with
them,” said Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist for The HSUS.
“The fact that this orca is trained for stunts and tricks does
not diminish his natural instincts,” she said.
At least one park visitor caught the attack on videotape,
which shows Ky repeatedly pushing his trainer underwater with
his chest.
In marine parks around the world, performing orcas are a
huge draw. As demonstrated by orca Ky’s behavior last week,
they are also a huge risk. The incident with Ky, last summer’s
incident involving Roy Horn and one of his tigers in Las Vegas,
and the gorilla escape at the Dallas zoo earlier this year
point out the inherent threat of injury or death that captive
wild animals pose to humans.
“The false presentation of orcas and other marine mammals as
tractable and friendly is an image that puts both humans and
animals at risk,” Rose said. “It perpetuates a fantasy that the
public believes, and does nothing to advance the conservation
of these animals in the wild.”
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s
largest animal protection organization with more than eight
million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream
voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals
and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals
in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The
HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation,
investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The
non-profit organization, which is celebrating its 50th
anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, DC and has 10
regional offices across the country.
