Bands, Brew, BBQ 2014

[DisneyFanKevin]

Trisha Yearwood has also canceled her appearance this afternoon as an FYI.

 

[Brian G.]

Lets cancel all appearances at SeaWorld because of orcas in captivity, but keep our schedules clear for Busch Gardens since they just have animals in captivity. Double standard..

 

[MrRoamer]

Lets cancel all appearances at SeaWorld because of orcas in captivity, but keep our schedules clear for Busch Gardens since they just have animals in captivity. Double standard..

:thumbs:

 

[GAcoaster]

Also, Trisha Yearwood was never officially announced, just officially announced she wasn't coming.

 

[Octobers Fade]

Lets cancel all appearances at SeaWorld because of orcas in captivity, but keep our schedules clear for Busch Gardens since they just have animals in captivity. Double standard..

But there wasn't a movie...

 

[Teebin]

My goodness, many of you are so hung up on this movie. Forget the movie ever existed and we are left with one simple fact: large intelligent mammals are being held in very small concrete cells 60-90% of a 24hr period every day. Pretend the movie doesn't exist at all and this is an still an absolute fact, standing all by itself.

For those comparing other mammals in other facilities, relative size matters. If an elephant gets 5-10 acres or a giraffe 20-30, I feel confident they are reasonably happy and satisfied compared to those getting a concrete space 30'X40'.

The movie never existed. Above still holds as true and as fact.

 

[Brian G.]

My goodness, many of you are so hung up on this movie. Forget the movie ever existed and we are left with one simple fact: large intelligent mammals are being held in very small concrete cells 60-90% of a 24hr period every day. Pretend the movie doesn't exist at all and this is an still an absolute fact, standing all by itself.

For those comparing other mammals in other facilities, relative size matters. If an elephant gets 5-10 acres or a giraffe 20-30, I feel confident they are reasonably happy and satisfied compared to those getting a concrete space 30'X40'.

The movie never existed. Above still holds as true and as fact.

No one's arguing that but it's obvious that the whales in captivity were never the issue it's being made into now until after the movie. Willie Nelson has performed at SeaWorld before for BBB, and it's not until now where he's taking a morality stand? It's obviously just trying to avoid bad PR.

 

[GAcoaster]

Dogs and cats are contained in small houses and they are intelligent, social animals who would roam for miles in the wild...where is anyone's sympathy for them?

SeaWorld is a victim of their own success. It is because of parks like SeaWorld that people care about these animals as much as they do and understand them as well as they do. Most of what is known about orcas comes from research on captive animals. It's because of parks like SeaWorld and the animals in captivity reaching people's hearts and minds that capturing wild orcas never happens anymore. I know people who work in animal care and can tell you those animals are loved and protected and the fact that they are in captivity so people can really see and appreciate them does more good for the whales and all marine life than can be measured.

At this point there is no way to "release" these animals that have lived in captivity all their lives. The story of the real "Free Willy" and the fiasco around the release of Keiko from captivity. I have little doubt that we will see orcas eventually disappearing from SeaWorld and all marine parks, but just like dogs and cats in captivity there is no way to responsibly turn them loose and euthanasia is not an option either. In the mean time SeaWorld is constantly taking steps to improve the care and keeping of these animals so their lives can be as long and healthy as possible.

 

[Teebin]

No one's arguing that but it's obvious that the whales in captivity were never the issue it's being made into now until after the movie.

Right, sometimes we are forced to overstate things to get people to focus on the one simple fact.

 

[Teebin]

Dogs and cats are contained in small houses and they are intelligent, social animals who would roam for miles in the wild...where is anyone's sympathy for them?

Those are domesticated animals, bred over thousands and thousands of years.

SeaWorld is a victim of their own success. It is because of parks like SeaWorld that people care about these animals as much as they do and understand them as well as they do. Most of what is known about orcas comes from research on captive animals. It's because of parks like SeaWorld and the animals in captivity reaching people's hearts and minds that capturing wild orcas never happens anymore. I know people who work in animal care and can tell you those animals are loved and protected and the fact that they are in captivity so people can really see and appreciate them does more good for the whales and all marine life than can be measured.

Seaworld is business first and foremost. Money is the bottom line and always will be.

At this point there is no way to "release" these animals that have lived in captivity all their lives. The story of the real "Free Willy" and the fiasco around the release of Keiko from captivity. I have little doubt that we will see orcas eventually disappearing from SeaWorld and all marine parks, but just like dogs and cats in captivity there is no way to responsibly turn them loose and euthanasia is not an option either. In the mean time SeaWorld is constantly taking steps to improve the care and keeping of these animals so their lives can be as long and healthy as possible.

Living is only worth it if you are healthy as WELL as happy. I can relate to those who might want to opt out of life if either one will never be forthcoming.

 

[GAcoaster]

Those are domesticated animals, bred over thousands and thousands of years.

That doesn't make it right, and even domestic animals still have the instincts to run free. That's why they become feral when given the chance.

Seaworld is business first and foremost. Money is the bottom line and always will be.

No one ever said this wasn't a business, but a component of that business is education through entertainment and anyone who doesn't recognize that SeaWorld has also made significant contributions through animal research, rescue and rehabilitation is short sighted.

Living is only worth it if you are healthy as WELL as happy. I can relate to those who might want to opt out of life if either one will never be forthcoming.

I don't think anyone can definitively say that these animals in captivity are not happy. They show affection to their trainers. Their health is a top concern for SeaWorld and always has been. If your assertion that this is only a business, then they see them as assets and it means they are valuable and their health is of the utmost importance. An unhealthy animal can't perform. The animal care staff at SeaWorld does not see them as performing machines, they see them as unique individuals who they care for and love.

 

[Legolas813]

Trisha Yearwood has also canceled her appearance this afternoon as an FYI.

Yep. I will add to the original post.

At this point there is no way to "release" these animals that have lived in captivity all their lives.

Well whether that is true or not, I think the main issue here is that many people want the breeding program to stop. That way the shows can be slowly phased out over the next couple of decades. The whales that are there now most likely are not going anywhere, but they don't have to keep bringing in new whales and furthering the cycle.

I also agree with Teebin that you have to consider the size of the animal and their personality and habits in the wild relative to the faux habitat and lifestyle provided. Also, just because an issue has never gained large momentum with the public before does not mean it is not important. And I don't buy the argument that we only care about animals and learn about animals by seeing them in a zoo or circus.

I personally am a fan of all of the Florida parks (I grew up with BGT very much a part of my life). That said, some animal exhibits I am comfortable with and some I am not. There is always room for feedback and improvement. I don't like that these concerts are cancelled, it is really unfair to the passholders, but at the same time if this is the way to bring attention then this is what has to be done.

 

[Legolas813]

I don't think anyone can definitively say that these animals in captivity are not happy.

Really? Have you been to Wild Arctic? That walrus that swims in circles without fail every single time you visit, that is really depressing. The tiny polar bear exhibit with the pacing back and forth is not much better. The penguins, sharks, etc. I think are fine, though.

I am not 100% opposed to animal exhibits, I just think they should be very large and very well made (no concrete floors and small cages for land animals). They should be at a minimum like the Serengeti Plain at BGT or some of those at Animal Kingdom.

 

[Teebin]

Really? Have you been to Wild Arctic? That walrus that swims in circles without fail every single time you visit, that is really depressing. The tiny polar bear exhibit with the pacing back and forth is not much better. The penguins, sharks, etc. I think are fine, though.

Hear hear! And I will agree that those with large domesticated dogs/horses should provide them an acre or more to run or not own them. So, I believe a Great Dane, African elephant, or Orca deserve a ton/acres of space in which to exist.

If they excavate all of Seaworld property to 200'-600' and fill it with seawater, then I might think they have a more reasonable situation in which to raise and care for Orcas. Think about that.

 

[Shucker]

Lets cancel all appearances at SeaWorld because of orcas in captivity, but will gladly stop tour bus on the way to Orlando at McDonanlds or Kentucky Fried Chicken for a quick lunch (you think Blackfish is bad, try seeing where they and others get their chickens from). In the grand scheme of animal cruelty, SeaWorld doesn't even register. Talk about making a big deal over an issue when there is thousands of other cases of animal cruelty that are exponentially worse. I get that it may not be 100% ideal, but when in life is everything 100% ideal, even for humans. The animals at SeaWorld for most of their lives are treated like kings and queens (cant say that about most zoo/aquarium habitats around the world). Not mention all the good work SeaWorld does in educating the world about our animal room mates. Hysterical that these bands (which I have seen everyone of them, a few of them a several times) who have no real history of animal rights suddenly have a conscience over SeaWorld?? Really??

 

[MrRoamer]

Why is it the orcas and seaworld that are the big deal. Bottlenose dolphins are likely smarter, have a larger number in their pens, and kept in smaller containment areas. Yet no one causes an uproar about them at seaworld or epcot. If you are going to play the animal cruelty card it applies to everything.

The monkeys and apes at animal kingdom are no better nor are the alligators in the land. Many of these animal protection agencies quickly devolve to their specific cause more than anything. For example, Peta is a terrible organization that had a campaign against cats because they were eating birds. Add on top of that going as far as hiring private eyes and sending death threats to people they felt were harming their cause at that specific time.

Seaworld has done a great job of educating and helping the animals they felt would help bring money and needed it. Now like someone else said are a victim of their success. I agree that some things could be better but the najority they have done is good. because a bad decision was made should not mean the baby should be thrown out with the bathwater.

 

[Legolas813]

I don't really see the point of people that are whataboutists. There will always be some other issue. This is the one the media is focusing on right now.

The fact is that this event is basically ruined now, so from a theme park enthusiast perspective I am interested to see how SeaWorld reacts to this.

 

[shiekra38]

Trisha Yearwood has also canceled her appearance this afternoon as an FYI.

Who?

I'm sure Sea World is quite content selling Bear and BBQ...the concert is clearly just to add a little pull..Anyone want to make I Love Sea World shirts with me?

 

[Nick]

Who?

I'm sure Sea World is quite content selling Bear and BBQ...the concert is clearly just to add a little pull..Anyone want to make I Love Sea World shirts with me?

She's a country singer. And i'm sure Sea World is content selling beer and BBQ. But what's the incentive for people to come out? Even if the artist isn't that well known, it adds some life and atmosphere to the event. It makes people spend money. There's no incentive without the band there, it's literally just another day at sea world.

 

[Shucker]

Its sad that the bands are pulling out, since it will have a big impact on the event. If they had such an issue with animal rights they should have never signed up to play at SeaWorld in the first place.

I don't really see the point of people that are whataboutists.

I also dont really see the point of people that are IgnoreTheBiggerProblemAndJustFocusOnAOneSidedDocumentaryIsts