Emotional Orca Show

According to ABC, Emotional Orca Show Marks 1st since Trainer Killed. That must have been interesting, as Orcas are generally pretty unemotional.  As predicted, however, SeaWorld was really quick to restart the shows, and they have announced that the animal now responsible for two deaths will continue to perform.  It's worth noting again that following the death of a "trainer" in Canada, SeaWorld was able to purchase the whale on the cheap, with the understanding that he would be used strictly for breeding purposes. That SeaWorld clearly failed to abide by the terms of the purchase agreement, leading directly to the death of a second "trainer", indicates where the priorities of management lie: lives are simply less important than dollars.

At SeaWorld, management is no more emotional than the Orcas themselves.  Naturally, blame for the death is now being placed upon the "trainer".  And while in part, that is clearly true, the fact remains that managers at SeaWorld made several deliberate decisions in order to enhance the bottom line:  they insisted upon incorporating an animal with known behavior issues into their entertainment lineup.  Moreover, a cursory glance at the video demonstrates that "trainers" are little more than actors:  they are bubbly, lively entertainers.  Ms. Brancheau shakes her upper body from side to side, ponytail flying. and prances about the platform prior to being yanked into the water and shaken from side to side.

She's not reading the animal; indeed, she seems only peripherally aware of it.  She's busy putting on a show, which is what management at SeaWorld not only expect, but demand.  An actual animal trainer reads the animal, step by step - and if something isn't quite right, a trainer backs off and implements a backup strategy.  A performer lacks that set of skills, and at SeaWorld, we see the result of labeling a performer as a trainer.

Not only was Ms. Brancheau's death needless, it was precipitated by decisions enacted by the brain-trust that is SeaWorld management. 

Comments

[Patrick Conlon]

"She's not reading the animal; indeed, she seems only peripherally aware of it." That's exactly what it looked like to me in the footage taken just before the killing.

[Max]

Update: this animal had killed not one, but two people previously, making her his third "victim". SeaWorld plans to continue using him in performances.