Orlando, Florida. September 25, 2011. A recent OSHA investigation into the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau caused by orca Tilikum in Feb. 2010, resulted in a $75,000 penalty for the company and the recommendation that SeaWorld institute physical barriers between its trainers and orcas. Fearing the impact to its operations, SeaWorld is currently challenging the ruling in court, forcing the company to defend itself as marine mammal activists cry foul.
SeaWorld case is not going well for the entertainment park
By challenging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's ruling which resulted in three citations for SeaWorld, the marine entertainment park is increasingly being forced to defend its operations in view of the public eye. Lawyers for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), accused the entertainment park Wednesday, of not fully documenting all of the acts of aggression towards trainers by its killer whales.
Once Chuck Tompkins, corporate curator of zoological operations for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment acknowledged that SeaWorld's incident report log, had "missed a few", organizations against marine mammal captivity gained even further ammunition and ratcheted up the pressure a notch.
Two days prior to Tompkin's testimony, Save Japan Dolphins director Ric O'Barry, posted video and written testimony from former SeaWorld trainers who claimed in retrospect, that SeaWorld had failed to fully inform them of the dangers of working with Tilikum and other orcas. Furthermore, testimony by one of SeaWorld's senior trainer's, Lynne Schaber, only appeared to bolster OSHA's claims after she described how 12,000-pound Tilikum, who was known for his failure to release objects, prompted a special section in the training manual specifically dedicated to him.
Under pressure, SeaWorld issues press release
SeaWorld, in an attempt to defend itself publicly, issued a press release on Sep. 23, describing itself as a "global leader in animal care and conservation." Few are aware, the park said, "that SeaWorld operates one of the world's most respected wildlife rescue and release programs and has treated more than 18,000 animals over the last four decades." Yet, these claims were quickly disputed by O'Barry who issued his own press release on Sep. 24, claiming that SeaWorld was merely attempting to "snow the public."
While "SeaWorld saves some animals," O'Barry said, the fact that the park made $1.4 billion in profit last year, makes "their rescue program ... a token effort." O'Barry, a former dolphin trainer turned advocate, added that rescue animals are often kept by SeaWorld and not returned to the wild. Marine parks are finding it more difficult to obtain animals, explains O'Barry, because the "Marine Mammal Protection Act states that the capture of marine mammals for captive purposes must be done in a humane manner." This is not possible in the wild, suggests the Save Japan Dolphins director and founder of The Dolphin Project, so SeaWorld keeps these mammals "by claiming they could not be released back."
AMMPA: "SeaWorld demonstrates a commitment to safety"
Marilee Menard, the Executive Director of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), of which SeaWorld is a member, told Suite101.com, "For the two decades I have worked with the marine mammal community, SeaWorld has always been at the forefront of marine mammal care and has always demonstrated a commitment to the professionalism and safety of their trainers."
AMMPA, which represents marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities, and professional organizations Menard says, ensures that all, "Alliance members must conduct and/or support scientific research and/or conservation projects related to marine mammals." Unfortunately with the SeaWorld court case still in active litigation, adds Menard, "it would be inappropriate to comment further."
SeaWorld-OSHA hearing in recess until November
After the week-long hearing concluded Friday and was adjourned until November, SeaWorld issued the following written statement. "(In) maintaining a safe environment for our trainers, the demands of humane care require our zoological team to work in close physical proximity to these animals," the park said before adding, "the fact that there have been so few incidents over millions of interactions with killer whales is evidence not just of SeaWorld’s commitment to safety, but to the success of that training and the skill and professionalism of our staff."
O'Barry on the other hand, suggests SeaWorld might better defend itself if it was involved in marine mammal conservation outside of the entertainment industry. If SeaWorld were to help the Dolphin Project Team prevent amusement parks from opening in Thailand, or help to stop the "trafficking and slaughter of thousands of dolphins," in the Solomon Islands or Taiji, said O'Barry, "then SeaWorld might have some credibility." But because they don't he adds, "theirs is an industry of hypocrites ... who choose to pretend the abuse and suffering," is not associated with them.
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Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
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