Letters: Free Sea World’s orcas

Re “San Diego hails Sea World with proclamation,” March 19, and “A long focus on ‘Blackfish,’” Column One, March 18

Forcing a multi-ton whale to live in a tank is tantamount to confining a 5-year-old child to a dog crate. The latter would result in prosecution and imprisonment of the perpetrator.

I was feeling some relief after reading in Tuesday’s Times the piece about the success of Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s film “Blackfish,” and then came Wednesday’s knock-back headline, “San Diego hails Sea World with proclamation.” It’s clear that when it comes to the issue of abusing and misusing wild animals under the guise of “contributing to national and international marine mammal research,” the bottom line is the $14 million annually brought in to the city by the Sea World spectacle.

The sad truth is that this is just another indication that money trumps ethics every time.

Sylvia Lewis Gunning

Thousand Oaks

Thank you for the article on the making of “Blackfish.” Although painful to watch, it is hauntingly and beautifully made and lingers in the heart long afterward.

The horrific consequences for both orcas and humans seem to echo in perpetuity from the initial capture of these orca calves in the wild seas where they belong.

After seeing “Blackfish,” there is nothing Sea World could ever say that would change my perception of this tragic situation.

It is my hope that someday, Sea World will release its captive orcas to a sanctuary and transform itself into an educational marine group with some beneficial purpose.

Perhaps after a very long time, Sea World can then undo some of the damage that has been done.

Stacey Cole

Lancaster

Thanks to the San Diego City Council for honoring Sea World. Unfortunately, it might now need protection.

Why does any action by the animal rights group PETA warrant so much press? This just gives it the confidence to harangue anyone who works with animals if its opinion is that the animals’ “rights” are being violated. PETA is an embarrassment to those of us who work with animals with true concern for their welfare.

Howard Winet

Pasadena

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