Aug15
A PETA Theme Park?
Posted at 02:55 PM | Permalink
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Comments (48)
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PETA sent a letter to the CEO of InBev this morning offering to buy the marine mammal parks and their captive animals, thanks to a very generous PETA donor. Have we mentioned before how compassionate and amazing our donors and supporters are?!
Just don't expect penguin enclosures, sting-ray petting tanks, or hoop-jumping dolphins. PETA's vision is to turn the animal-exploiting money-maker into an educational non-animal theme park with state-of-the art virtual marine mammal displays that are so realistic that it's as if you're nose to snout with Flipper. And the animals currently held captive in the parks would be rehabilitated in coastal sanctuaries before being released back into their natural environments—a place many of the mammals remember fondly from before they were captured, sent to flounder (geddit?) in SeaWorld's small pools, and forced to perform mindless tricks, over and over and over and over and over again, for the amusement of little children.
Virtual reality technology has become so advanced that there is absolutely no need to make animals suffer or to put them in danger for human enjoyment or education. 3-D effects put us right in the action—and make us feel as if we're swimming in the cold Pacific with the great whites. It's safe for the animals, and you don't have to worry about losing a leg or being painfully stung by jellyfish.
You can read our full letter to InBev under the cut.
Posted by Jennifer Cierlitsky
Carlos Brito, CEO InBev NV/SADear Mr. Brito:
I am writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 2 million members and supporters. PETA recently contacted InBev asking it to retire the Budweiser Clydesdale horses. Thank you for your commitment to looking into that issue further. We understand that once the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch is complete, SeaWorld amusement parks might be up for sale. A PETA donor has expressed interest in purchasing one or more SeaWorld marine mammal parks with the intention of releasing the captive animals to transitional coastal sanctuaries and replacing the live-animal exhibits with state-of-the-art virtual-reality exhibits.
We are very interested in this offer because the intelligent, social animals imprisoned at SeaWorld are and denied everything that is natural and important to them—all in the name of "entertainment." Many of these animals were violently captured from their ocean homes and are confined to tanks that, to the animals, are the size of a bathtub. In the wild, orcas and other dolphin species swim up to 100 miles a day in the open ocean, but captive cetaceans swim in endless circles in small tanks full of chemically treated water. Orcas and other dolphins have highly sophisticated sonar systems, and the reverberations that bounce off the walls of their barren surroundings cause some animals to go insane. Many are forced to learn circus-style tricks, and according to whistleblower tips from trainers, withholding food and isolating animals who refuse to perform are common training methods. Premature deaths of animals at SeaWorld are also common. Just this past April, a dolphin at SeaWorld's Orlando facility died after she collided with another dolphin while performing a stunt, and a baby killer whale died at SeaWorld's San Antonio park in June, just months after Taku, a male orca, died from pneumonia at the same facility.
Humane alternatives to these animal prisons—such as virtual-reality exhibits—can provide visitors with an exciting, educational experience. Large, open areas with immersive 3D video projections would allow visitors to view and interact with virtual orcas and other dolphin species. Incorporating light and motion sensors, sound sensors, computer consoles, and touch screens into the design would give visitors the opportunity to interact with virtual sea life. The experience would be like watching free-roaming wild animals, whereas captive animals' unnatural and repetitive behavior patterns—which are linked to their oppressive environments—are dull to watch and provide little educational value.
We urge you to allow the animals at SeaWorld to experience a more natural environment and give visitors an unforgettable 21st century techno-experience. I would appreciate hearing from you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kristie Phelps, Assistant Director
Animals in Entertainment Campaign
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Comments
not to be mean but i am a vegiterian but to say i dont think that if yawl buy sea world you shouldnt let the animals go to the wild just try to breed and make petting zoos but dont hurt them and if yawl let them in the wild they might get hurt or even killed because they have been used to people feeding them but you should get rid of the nasty nasty meat that they sell there but you should just keep then animals become safer if they are kept in kaptivivity
Posted by: steven | August 15, 2008 04:45 PM
Neat. I live across the street from good ol' SeaWorld Orlando. I'd much rather go to an educational facility then a park full of animals forced to live in environments that don't even come close to being similar to their natural habitat.
Posted by: Siobhan M. | August 15, 2008 05:21 PM
That would be very exciting, but you would have to sell copies of Animal Liberation on giant shelves at the exits. :-)
Actually it's tough because the food would have to be vegan.
Actually this donor should pay for long PETA commercials explaining speciesism, advertising Earthlings and Animal Liberation. You could interview Peter Singer and Tom Regan and Dale Jamieson and Gary Franione for the TV spots. If so, this donor would become one of the most important people in the world, literally.
Oh, and please refer to me when you're trying to decide what roller coaster to build. After all, I'm not just a PETA member, I'm and American Coaster Enthusiasts member. :-)
Posted by: Mark | August 15, 2008 06:10 PM
This would be fantastic! Please keep us updated...what a great success story if possible!
Posted by: Courtney | August 15, 2008 06:45 PM
I would love a PETA theme park, but insulting Dollywood is fightin' words. Take it back!
Posted by: Amanda | August 15, 2008 08:39 PM
I love the idea.... vegan hotdogs, burgers and pizza. YUMMY!!!!!
name it petawood! lol
Posted by: marysol | August 16, 2008 12:35 AM
Thank you Donor for giving to the animals. Please help also the cruelty of NYC carriage horses ;(
Posted by: Roxanne | August 16, 2008 01:45 AM
Hmm, honesty, that doesn't sound overwhelmingly appealing... I say either keep the animals or just do away with the park entirely.
Posted by: matt | August 16, 2008 01:48 AM
Most of the orcas and dolphins at Sea World were born in captivity and know nothing of the wild. The ones that were captured from the wild have been captive for so long that it would be almost impossible to teach them how to survive in the wild again. Keiko the orca was released into the wild, but he kept seeking out humans, and he died fifteen months after his release. In my view, his release was the result of people claiming he was longing to be free when we have no idea what he was thinking. People need to stop putting their opinions down the throats of animals. The water does have chlorine in it, but it is only about as much as a glass of tap water. By the way, seawater has chlorine in it too. Sodium chloride is in seawater, as are other chloride salts.
On forcing marine mammals to perform, it is very difficult to do that. An orca or dolphin will do what it wants when it wants, and they still get all their food every day. The trainers love their animals very much, and they aren't paid all that much because much of the money made goes to feeding, giving medical care, and keeping the animals healthy in their homes. The attacks on their trainers by orcas and dolphins are the result of them retaining their instincts and showing unwanted behavior, not from captivity. Wild orcas and dolphins have attacked people, though they escaped without serious injury.
You think premature deaths happen only in captivity? If you say yes, then you're more ignorant than I thought. If you do research on wild orcas, you'll find very few are past the age of fifty. In addition, fifty percent of wild newborn orcas never see their first birthday. Nor do thirty-three percent of wild newborn dolphins. Nobody knows what the actual lifespan of an orca is, but it is estimated to be forty to forty-five years overall, and it is about twenty-five to thirty years overall for dolphins. Many orcas and dolphins born in captivity could never have survived if born in the wild because of genetic problems and rejection by their mothers. Life in the wild is not bliss. It is dangerous for all animals.
Posted by: Shark | August 16, 2008 12:32 PM
I hope your donor does that! Those virtual displays would be so awesome! And, instead of tapping tanks and pestering real animals, you could push a button and make the 3D model do whatever you want! I would totally pay to go see that.
Posted by: John | August 16, 2008 04:08 PM
That would be great!
Posted by: Maggie | August 16, 2008 06:05 PM
Awesome!
But yeah, Dollywood rocks, too!
Posted by: Curtis | August 16, 2008 07:30 PM
PetaWorld would be way better than SeaWorld any day of the week. Shamoo belongs in the ocean, not a tank of probably really filthy water!
Posted by: Phill | August 16, 2008 09:53 PM
This sounds great and I would really like to see it happen! Especially in Orlando, we went on a vacation there and amusement parks, carnivals, water parks, gift shops, all that tourist trap stuff just lines the streets and it's crazy there all year round. Please buy the Orlando park! I've seen that poor walrus in there literaly pound against the glass, I felt so bad for it.
Posted by: Jackie | August 17, 2008 02:00 AM
If you want to see what this technology can be like, check out the "Dolphin Oracle" at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. It's definitely the most popular piece there. Ask it a question, and it will answer.
Posted by: shannon | August 17, 2008 02:28 AM
I think it would be wonderful to have a PETA theme park!!! I feel it would make alot of money!
Posted by: Serenity | August 17, 2008 05:27 PM
Awsome. What a thoughtful and exciting prospect. How exciting to see them up close without exploiting them for a buck. I love the idea. Who ever has fronted the money to do this is an unsung hero... imagine the first person in history to revolutionize the way we learn and teach about animals, stayed out of the spotlight. It's humbling and greatly appreciated by the world i should hope. A great leap into the future of man'kind'. Please please bring one to Australia. Great, Great idea : )
Posted by: twyla anderson | August 17, 2008 05:45 PM
Don't disrespect Dollywood. It does a lot for injured bald eagles and Dolly Parton personally donated a hefty chunk of cash to help pets after hurricane Katrina.
Posted by: Paul Daniels | August 18, 2008 11:38 AM
I'm all for getting captive wildlife to a better place, and for shutting down breeding in captivity.
But releasing them in the wild? It's the worst thing you can do. The captive animals did not undergo enough natural selection to have immune systems that will keep them healthy in the wild.
The animals you release will create massive competition for wild animals already struggling to survive, they will promote viruses and bacteria to spread due to their weak immune systems, and then they will die.
Please don't do this.
Posted by: Maya, CVT | August 18, 2008 01:57 PM
I agree with Maya. these animals forgot about catchig fishes or they have never learned. they will be near people and they cuold be hurt (remember Luna. They will miss their traineres. they can die because of immune system not adapted. what will happen with them? maybe corky and other captured whales will join their pods but what will hapen with born in captivity animals? and they dont do forced tricks. they do tricks that they can do they are not forced. they are trained with love and positive strenghteinig (just read dont shoot the dog of karen Pryor) i hope they can't set these beautiful animals free. just think about their difficult life in the open ocean. can you imagine you in the amazon? it's just the same
Posted by: loveorcas | August 18, 2008 02:30 PM
I think this is a great idea!
Last time I went to Seaworld (because unfortunately I was not aware what goes on over there until recently) it wasn't very exciting. I mean, the shows were okaaaay, but there was nothing really educational about the place. It's great that PETA will rejuvenate the park and make it more educational and cruelty-free. America needs some more education!
Posted by: Natalie | August 18, 2008 03:54 PM
That Would be the best thing ever.
and think hoe neat it would be... :)
Posted by: Krista | August 18, 2008 05:56 PM
I know you guys are trying to help but releasing the animals back into the wild (or even putting them in the wild when they didn't come from there) is not good.
Remember that wild whales and dolphins might not accept these newcomers into their groups. Captive creatures would be chased off and possibly killed.
Also, the immune systems of captive animals are quite different. You have to understand that these animals have been around people and thus have built up immunity for that, they could be carrying disease (such as respiratory disease which can be passed from dolphin to human or human to dolphin) and to release captive dolphins into the wild would only cause problems for wild dolphins that have never built up that immunity.
An idea to helping these animals would be to find a sanctuary that is built out on the water, that is protected from their wild cousins and yet still gives them the space to run.
Even better, figure out a way to create one big area for each group to live in. Keep them out of public view if that would be best for them and let them live out the rest of their days with proper social interaction (both with their kind and humans which they have learned to get along with) and proper care.
Posted by: Sarah | August 18, 2008 07:36 PM
What a wonderful idea!
Posted by: KATHLEEN W. | August 18, 2008 08:26 PM
Well before I knew any of this or even became a vegetarian, my husband and I purchased season passes to sea world. We don't make a lot of money. And to not use them would be a waste of our hard earned money. So what do you suggest we do with them?
Do you ever write Mexico? Cuz did you know that for like $300/person you can swim with the dolphins? I highly doubt they treat those dolphins any better than Sea World. Just a thought. I'm sure I'm right about it, too.
Posted by: bbr | August 19, 2008 09:02 AM
I'm sorry I just don't think all animals in captivity is bad. I actually just went to Sea World a few weeks ago and loved it! I loved the fact that I actually got to touch a sting ray my favorite sea animal. Sea World is also one of the reasons I fell in love with animals in the first place, because I got to see, as a child, how amazing and majestic they are...the few animals in Sea World do a lot more good in captivity for the millions of animals no child ever gets to see in the wild.
Posted by: Kristen | August 19, 2008 09:35 AM
Kristen,
I think it's lovely that you got to enjoy a ray, they are so beautiful. But I'd be curious to know how good folks like you feel about their captivity - as opposed to how they live in the wild.
I have considered doing a study on visitor's feelings after they leave a zoo or aquarium. Do people learn to conserve these animals?
Most people say yes, but then they go home and eventually go back to their old habits. I'm afraid tha zoos and aquariums only teach people that it's good to keep animals in enclosures where they are not happy.
Sadly there is not enough public knowledge to realize that they are in fact deprived of their needs.
Thanks for listening ;)
Posted by: Maya, CVT | August 19, 2008 11:47 AM
BBR, you're right on about the dolphins.
Regarding the Sea World passes, call and ask about their refund policy. Be polite so you'll have a better shot.
Either way, the important thing is that you write to Sea World and tell them why you and all your friends and coworkers won't go to SeaWorld any more.
Tell them that only non releaseable animals belong in captivity, and that the underdog animals deserve better enclosures.
And you can try calling Better Business Bureau if you don't get your money back. Tell them you have severe ethical concerns about SeaWorld - that may do the trick. ;)
Posted by: Maya, CVT | August 19, 2008 11:53 AM
I've never been a fan of SeaWorld.
Back in the early 1970's,Seaworld "collected" a number of wild orca from Puget Sound-most of them died BTW.The lone survivor is Lolita- who's around 40 years old -at the Miami Seaquarium-which has her in a too small tank and is alone 24/7.
So maybe PETA could offer the owner of Miami Seaquarium some serious $$$and totally revamp the park into more eco and animal friendly.
I'm a South Carolina native, and we don't have marine parks with captive solphins, pilot whales or orcas,due to the fact it's against state law!
Posted by: Cynthia Long | August 19, 2008 12:08 PM
I think that PETA should care incredibly well for the marine animals, instead of releasing them all back into the wild.
Some of them need to stay there. (Shamu, Klondike and Snow.)
I know ya'll have wonderful intentions, but SeaWorld is doing wonderfully right now.)
Life isn't a fantasy world, and if you release these beautiful creatures, they could be hunted, and turned into furs and skins.
Better human rights need to be established first, and world peace needs to be 99.9%, especially with the way things stand in the Middle East.
Please, PETA, don't do this.
Posted by: Mary | August 19, 2008 02:07 PM
Cool. This is a really great idea. I would so totally got there :)
Posted by: Sophiya | August 19, 2008 03:53 PM
I've read enough. many of you can't even spell. who is shamoo? (it's Shamu) a virtual reality park? ARE YOU NUTS? I go to Seaworld at least once a month b/c I can't afford to hop on a plane and go visit orcas in the Pacific...like most people. People are not going to want to pay to go see a fake animal. Those animals are absolutely spoiled rotten. They are not starved or mistreated. If you have never been to Seaworld and are agreeing with PETA, you need to hop on a plane and go....NOW!
Posted by: stevette | August 20, 2008 08:22 PM
I think it's a wonderful idea. And no doubt Peta will be working closely with marine experts who are well informed on rehabilitation in coastal sanctuaries and issues with release.
You're right, Jennifer. The Pacific IS cold-bracing-glorious!
Posted by: lynda downie | August 21, 2008 12:59 AM
This is the worst idea ever. I thinking it's more cruel to release the animals than keep them at Sea World. The animals get good care. The people in animal husbandry have to go through a long interview process and they love the animals. They get paid around $8 an hour, but don't care because they love what they do. I have a friend in the animal husbandry dept at SeaWorld Orlando and she has to work 3 jobs just to support herself. Basically, the workers take great care of the animals.
Yes, they probably shouldn't be in captivity, but they ARE. Some have been bred into captivity and simply would not survive in the wild.
And the PETA idea of Sea World just seems beyond lame. I wouldn't want to pay to go see a bunch of robot animals. Who cares if they have vegan hot dogs. (yes, I am too vegan).
I just hope that this is a publicity stunt. The people at PETA cannot really be so dumb to think that releasing all the animals is a good idea.
Posted by: heather | August 21, 2008 09:06 PM
Does Keiko mean anything? The poor animal died after people like you forced him back into the wild.
Posted by: Kari | August 22, 2008 07:24 PM
One correction, Inbev is a Belgium-Brazilian company.
Posted by: Carlos | August 23, 2008 02:42 PM
Keiko is one that passed away, but he passed away of a lung infection despite veterinary care, it was no one's fault.
DOZENS, yes, DOZENS of cetaceans and pinnipeds have been successfully rehabilitated and released from captivity to lead healthy lives in the wild. One failed case doesn't mean it can't be done. Educate yourselves.
Being loved by their trainers doesn't negate their boredom and social deprivation. If they were loved so much, they'd entitle them to space and freedom from human contact.
Posted by: Kat | August 25, 2008 11:03 PM
Kat, I'm a wildlife rehabilitator and I can tell you that the pinnipeds and cetaceans released into the wild were not ones bred or raised at zoos.
You're thinking of situations where these animals are found injured or orphaned at the ocean, and a good samaritan will call Fish and Wildlife and they bring the animal to a marine rehabber.
Those animals are only in "captivity" to recieve medical care. They only spend a few days or weeks in captivity, whereas aquarium animals spend years or decades in captivity.
If they're not born and raised in the wild, they have no chance of survival. And it is highly illegal as well to release captive animals into the ocean.
Posted by: Maya, CVT | August 26, 2008 11:38 AM
I think I lot of people who have written in have good points to make. First the offer from the Peta donor could be a huge step to a better world. If the park is done state of the art and captures the beauty and wonder of the ocean and it's magnificent beings I'm sure it would be much more interesting to kids and adults than a few pool shows and yes I have been to Sea World. I do take notice though of what many have brought up with keeping the animals that have been raised in captivity in a safe environment, that would not envolve doing shows or living in small pool tanks. I trust Peta to do the proper research with experts to what would be the safest, smartest and compassionate place for them to live out their lives. The biggest part of the picture is so much more than a park, it would set a a new standard for how we as humans should expect to view living being of other species. I was disgusted from my first school field trip to a zoo and support Peta completely in forging the way for a sane approach to experiencing our other earthling friends. If this park happens I will be first in line with my family.
Posted by: Louise | August 28, 2008 11:10 PM
Stevette, Shark and Heather need to do some more work in school and get educated in the knowledge of abducted wild animals. Most are not captivity born, most were stolen cruelly from their lifelong families at sea. They use explosives, nets and support the Japanese blood baths in therir captures. Most die in the captures or within the first few weeks un-named. Your happy little trainer-wanna be attitude that these creatures are "Happy" is a fun dream for you. Wake Up, How happy would you be in a cell, twice the size of your body. With people that speak different languages, and only being fed when you perform. With live food when you only eat dead food? Sounds fun and yummy too....you 3 need to learn to read and educate your toddler brains into the truth....beLIEve the lies.
Posted by: Dishwalla | August 29, 2008 09:29 AM
I am very glad to know the news that PETA is going to buy Sea World. I am much disgusted at zoos,marine parks and so on. But to drive faculity like a theme park is a very dificult business. So I think you had better turn Sea World to a sanctuary for retired sea animals which cannot live in nature.
Posted by: kitokaze | August 29, 2008 10:20 AM
I am a life long vegetarian and I must be honest...this is a terrible idea because this it is well and good to think about its obvious goodness you must consider it fiscally and frankly, nobody is going
Posted by: Jessica | August 29, 2008 11:28 PM
I'M TORN, ON ONE HAND YES, RELEASE THEM IN TO THERE NATURAL HABITAT, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND COME ON, THEY ARE SAFE AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF AT SEA WORLD. THEY ARE PEOPLE ORIENTED NOW, WILL THEY SURVIVE OUT IN THE WORLD?!?!?!
TAKE THEM AWAY FROM WHAT THEY HAVE KNOWN NOW FOR HOW EVER LONG?!?!?
DO THEY HAVE THE SKILLS TO BE OUT IN THE WORLD ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
I AM TORN, AND CONCERNED FOR ALL ANIMALS THAT ARE THERE NOW!!
Posted by: Tucker | August 30, 2008 10:17 AM
I am a firm supporter of PETA
I think you do some really wonderful work. This however would not be one of those times. Rehabilitating injured wildlife and releasing them back into the wild is a very good cause, but what you have to understand is that SeaWorld currently has 25 killer whales... Only 5 of them were captured in the wild... 1 of those 5 has been in captivity for almost 40 years... The other 4 for 30-35 years. The remaining 20 animals were born in the three SeaWorld parks... I would consider PETA would be participating in cruelty to animals for even considering releasing any of these animals into the wild... for they would have a much higher chance of dieing, than surviving. And that's not even mentioning the countless other animals that SeaWorld has that are either captive born, or have been in captivity for most of their lives. Animals like Various species of Dolphins, Whales, Sea Lions, Seals, Penquins, etc. A more humane idea might be to turn the park into solid education, do away with shows, and the most appauling "interaction" programs. But please consider these well being of these animals for most of them releasing them into the wild would be a death setence.
Posted by: Julie | August 30, 2008 11:57 AM
it put a smile on my face!
:D<-
Posted by: besy | September 4, 2008 03:10 PM
This is a terrible idea. Seaworld rehabilitates injured manatees and provides a home for non-releasable ones. Stop and think for a moment how many would die if Seaworld wasn't there for them! Also, most of the orcas are captive-born, and performing provides active stimulation for them. Like matt said, a marine mammal won't perform if it doesn't want to.
Posted by: Julian | November 14, 2008 06:54 PM
i think dollyhood is pretty sweet and take care
Posted by: dave | December 27, 2008 10:01 PM
Killer Whales at Sea World AREN'T ABUSED. PETA should really buy the circus instead of Sea World Bush Gardens!Its important to think about what is happening to our enviornment and global warming will effect the lives of most born in captivity animals! DONT BUY IT.
Posted by: Colin | July 22, 2009 02:07 AM