In the current issue of CL, we have a report on animal rights and animal welfare, and referenced the tragedy that occurred on February 24 at SeaWorld in Orlando.
That's when an orca whale named Tilikum ended up grabbing trainer Dawn Brancheau in its jaws and thrashed her underwater, killing her in front of a stunned audience. It was the third time that Tilikum had been involved in a human death, and it has reopened a conversation about whether marine mammal parks like SeaWorld should be using such animals in confined circumstances for the entertainment of the masses.
We went to watch the Shamu Believe show featuring orcas last Thursday morning, and requested to speak with SeaWorld officials later that day for comment on our story. We did not receive comment that day, or the next day. We informed Seaworld media officials that our deadline was at noon on Monday.
We did not receive anything until Wednesday (though SeaWorld's Vice President of Communications Fred Jacobs insists he issued his responses via e-mail before our deadline).
In any event, here are our questions and Jacobs answers.
This article appears in Apr 7-13, 2010.