Let justice for Shamu serve as catalyst for more reform

At long last, the behemoth SeaWorld entertainment and amusement giant has come to its senses in its decision to stop playing stupid human tricks on magnificent – but defenseless – orcas, dolphins and other sea mammals at its American theme parks.

The decision to end its profiteering from the pain of these mammals represents one commendable advance toward compassion and recognizes that a growing segment of the American animal-loving public views the confinement and manipulation of these beautiful sea creatures as inherently inhumane.

The action also serves as a model for other sea-creature theme parks and as a starting point for even broader and more structural reforms in the breeding and housing of such animals at SeaWorld and other animal-entertainment venues.

For years, even before Sea World of Ohio closed in 2000 over declining attendance and other factors, voices of protest over the cruel and unusual treatment of Shamu and his seaworthy brethren could be heard. In recent years, thanks to an expanding public consciousness of the abuse as depicted in films and popular culture, those voices have reached a crescendo.

Just how cruel was the marine park in its treatment of its orcas and dolphins? The People for the Ethical Treatement of Animals, one of the world’s most-respected animal-welfare organizations, has compiled a partial list of horrors. Consider:

Many orcas have been killed during efforts to catch them for breeding and captivity. When the original Shamu was stolen from her family in 1965, a hunter killed her mom right in front of Shamu.

Orcas in the wild live between 30 and 50 years. The average age of orcas that have died in painful captivity at theme parks is a mere 13 years.

Orcas in their natural environment swim up to 100 miles per day. Living in cramped quarters in theme parks causes stress and aggression that have led to injuries from infighting among them.

It’s long past time to let orcas thrive. The large-toothed whale with distinctive black-and-white markings and a prominent dorsal fin can best do so in groups that cooperatively hunt for fish, seals, and penguins in the seeming endless expanses of the ocean.

MORE SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED

SeaWorld also deserves commendation for its new partnership with the Humane Society of the U.S. to develop conservation and education programs and advocacy campaigns to end the commercial slaughter of marine mammals.

Beyond those steps, however, more can and should be accomplished. For example, SeaWorld and other marine parks could seriously consider ending breeding programs altogether and reserving its tanks for injured animals that cannot survive in their natural habitat.

The enlightenment of SeaWorld comes on the heels of another singularly American entertainment giant wising up to the need for more humane treatment of its animals. Last year, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus made an overdue reality check by announcing it would end its practice of dressing up elephants and forcing them to amuse audiences by such senseless antics as standing on their heads.

It’s not been fun and games for those elephants, however. Cases of torture with bull hooks have been well documented, as have reports of their transport in chains inside tight, stuffy and stinky boxcars across the nation. Due to popular demand, Ringling has moved up the date of extinction of elephants from its shows from 2018 to May of this year.

Like SeaWorld, the Ringling Bros.’ reform should serve only as a launching pad. PETA and other groups are responsibly calling for the complete removal of lions, tigers and other assorted creatures from circus shows. Too often, trainers force animals to become chintzy entertainers, deprived of their natural habitats and freedoms.

Collectively, the responsible actions of SeaWorld and Ringling Bros. speak to the growing intolerance of Americans toward torture as a form of family amusement. Other sea parks, circuses and zoos should recognize as much and follow their humanitarian examples.