Geoffrey Ventre, 55, who began working at SeaWorld in 1987, says he was “honored” to work with marine animals, but over the course of his 8 years on the job, he noticed that the animals showed signs of “extreme need”.
“This job is more like a stuntman or a clown working with captive animals and using food deprivation as a motivation. Whales and dolphins had stress and it caused stomach ulcers, so they got medication. They also had chronic infections, so they received antibiotics. Sometimes they were aggressive or difficult to control, so they were given Valium to reduce aggression. All whales received vitamins packaged in their fish. Some received daily antibiotics, including Tilikum, for chronic tooth infections.”
Ventre also alleges that the theme park provided trainers with educational show scripts containing incorrect information about killer whales, including information about their health and life expectancy. “We have also told the public that dorsal fin collapse is a genetic disease and a fairly regular occurrence in nature, but that is not the case,” he added.
Former SeaWorld trainer John Hargrove, who retired from work due to animal welfare, also talked about working at the park. “I have worked with some whales who have been given medication every day and have personally watched the whales die of disease at a very early age. It was the hardest decision of my life to walk away from the whales I loved in order to expose the industry.”
Earlier this month, travel firm Virgin Holidays announced it would no longer sell tickets or include SeaWorld on tours. A spokesman for SeaWorld called the move “disappointing,” saying Virgin Holidays has succumbed to pressure from animal rights activists who are “misleading people to advance their plans.”
Virgin Holidays’ decision was supported by PETA director Eliza Allen: “In these parks, killer whales that live in the ocean, where they swim up to 140 miles a day, are forced to spend their whole lives in cramped tanks and swim in their own waste.”
We can all help whales and dolphins by celebrating their day by not going to the aquarium and by encouraging others to do the same.