Tilikum the orca, like Keiko before him, has captured the hearts of people from all over
the world. There has been an outpouring of concern for him since SeaWorld Entertainment released news that his health is deteriorating.
Many have written beautiful testimonies in response, describing how Tilikum’s story, featured in the “Blackfish” documentary, has impacted their own lives, inspiring them to become a voice for captive whales and dolphins. And many are outraged that this majestic male, captured from the wild when he was only two-years-old, will die as he has lived since that capture, in a tiny, concrete tank.
It is well known that Tilikum’s life has been one of man-caused tragedy and that at least three people – and four families, including his own – have experienced tragedy too, as a direct result of Tilikum’s incarceration.
Yet even in what might be Tilikum’s final days, SeaWorld still appears to be painting a picture of mutual love and care; still ushering the facts into a quiet corner, as SeaWorld ushers Tilikum from tank to tank. But the truth is much more sinister: SeaWorld is not his family and since his captivity, he has never had any freedom to choose.
Tilikum’s Deteriorating Condition
2015 Orca Research Trust
In its notice about Tilikum’s worsening health, SeaWorld has made ostensible efforts to wash its hands of the fact that Tilikum was captured fromIcelandic waters as a young calf. And the entertainment company also seems to make attempts at pre-emptively mollifying criticism that will arise from Tilikum dying at only 35 years of age under its supervision.
These issues have been discussed at length, and will continue to be discussed long after Tilikum has gone. Now, however, questions must also be raised about the statement SeaWorld has actually made about Tilikum’s health problem. SeaWorld said, “…We believe [Tilikum has] a bacterial infection in his lungs. However, the suspected bacteria [emphasis added] is very resistant to treatment and a cure for his illness has not been found.”
In a short video released alongside this statement, a SeaWorld veterinarian, Dr. Scott Gearhart, said that blood is taken from Tilikum at least once or twice a week so that Tilikum’s health status can be monitored. Daniel Richardville, SeaWorld’s animal training supervisor, additionally stated that Tilikum has been trained to provide any sample required, including the release of his breath into a petri dish so that SeaWorld staff can “see what’s going on in” Tilikum’s lungs.
With such medical access to Tilikum, alongside the superior healthcare he is supposed to be receiving, why is it that SeaWorld only “suspects” the bacteria Tilikum is infected with?
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