{"id":12,"date":"2025-04-29T18:45:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T18:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/engl110-template\/?page_id=12"},"modified":"2025-04-29T21:25:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T21:25:21","slug":"writing-sample-3","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/phamengl110\/formal-writing\/writing-sample-3\/","title":{"rendered":"OpEd"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Empty The Tanks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picture a breathtaking humpback whale, once a symbol of boundless freedom, now reduced to a mere spectacle; commanded when to leap, when to dive, when to eat, when to leap\u2013 again, and even when it can retire. Drowned out by rounds of applause are silent cries that echo between dense concrete walls. What is it all worth? Robbing these brilliant creatures of their life, all for just an hour of entertainment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cEmpty the Tanks\u201d movement aims to end the captivity of marine mammals in theme parks worldwide, specifically whales and dolphins. Founded on the belief that these highly intelligent and capable creatures suffer both physically, and mentally in confinement. The movement urges for the release of these animals into either sanctuaries or back to their natural habitats. Society often undervalues the lives of aquatic animals because it is more challenging to communicate with them.
A dog sleeps on the couch instead of a bed and the media cries abuse, but a betta fish can live in a tiny plastic container because \u201cit’s just a fish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking sea animals from their natural habitat to perform for us, not only continues a disturbing cycle of exploitation and suffering but also denies these sentient beings the right to simply live freely. By re-evaluating these practices and therefore; emptying the tanks, we can pave the way for a more compassionate and harmonious coexistence on our shared planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping whales in captivity, not only risks their wellness, but also our own. Seaworld being unethical is widely acknowledged. The media\u2019s consensus toward SeaWorld and other dolphin shows is negative, but that prompts the question: if a family was offered a free vacation on an exclusive Seaworld VIP tour, would they take it? Millions of people still attend these shows every year, regardless of the piling negative publicity around them. These attendees are not to blame though, The desire for such an experience is understandable. Dolphin shows offer such a unique opportunity to get a glimpse of these beautiful creatures at a fraction of the cost of going on a private yacht excursion. The responsibility for change ultimately lies with the corporations themselves.
Tilikum the orca was one of many victims of the entertainment industry; exploited and capitalized on, up until his very last days despite his numerous calls for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilikum was captured as a 2-year-old calf, renowned for his performances in the years coming. He was SeaWorld\u2019s \u201cStar whale.\u201d However, his tragic truth was
brought to light when he was involved in multiple fatal incidents, notably the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2010, 40-year-old Brancheau, tragically lost her life when she was brutally dragged into a pool during a bonding session. She was scalped, drowned, and dismembered, fracturing almost every bone in her body. Reports disclose \u201cThis was the third time that Tilikum had struck back since his 1983 capture.\u201d (The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature. \u201cTilikum: The Whale Who Rebelled – the Whale Sanctuary Project: Back to Nature.\u201d The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature, 31 July 2021.) While Seaworld tried to spin this accident as a playful mistake, the public speculated that Tilikum knew exactly what he was doing. The whale sanctuary project puts out a statement,\u201cTheir actions have had intent and purpose. If anything, these animals are psychologically strong, not weak. They are choosing to fight back.\u201d (The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature. \u201cTilikum: The Whale Who Rebelled – the Whale Sanctuary Project: Back to Nature.\u201d The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature, 31 July 2021.) This event was a testament to Tilikum\u2019s awareness, Serving as a call to action for other creatures in confinement. A tragic loss of life to serve a stark reminder of the daily loss of life behind the tank walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilkium\u2019s unfortunate attacks proved to be efficient in reaching the public, sparking widespread debate about the ethics of the Animal entertainment industry. His story extended beyond the animal rights community when filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite released her documentary Blackfish. She shares her motive for creating the documentary, \u201cI came in with these questions. I set out to understand this incident, not as an animal activist \u2013 because I\u2019m not one \u2013 but as a mother who had just taken her kids to SeaWorld.\u201d (Cowperthwaite, Gabriela. \u201cFilmmaker: Why I Made \u2018Blackfish.\u2019\u201d CNN, Cable News Network, 28 Oct. 2013.) This documentary sparked even more uproar and backlash toward Seaworld, prompting them to acknowledge the piece. Seaworld states, \u201cBlackfish is billed as a documentary, but instead of a fair and balanced treatment of a complex subject, the film is inaccurate and misleading and, regrettably, exploits a tragedy that remains a source of deep pain for Dawn Brancheau\u2019s family, friends and colleagues.\u201d (CNN, SeaWorld responds to questions about captive orcas, \u2018Blackfish\u2019 film). And when asked about scientifically proven evidence that whales need space to roam, they claim \u201cWhile a killer whale can and occasionally might travel as much as 100 miles in a day, it should be said that swimming that distance is not integral to a whale\u2019s health and well-being.\u201d (CNN, SeaWorld responds to questions about captive orcas, \u2018Blackfish\u2019 film.) Seaworld\u2019s actions unveil their disregard for the welfare of their captive orcas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies have shown that the confinement of animals in cages prompts them to begin behaving strangely. Whales turn to self-injury and impulsive movements, much like how humans tend to fidget when constrained. Their desperate attempts to cope are glaring, \u201cThey may lick, suck, or chew the floors and bars of their cages.\u201d (A Summary of the Effects of Captivity on Orcas, Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.) Furthermore, the cramped environment of these cages worsens these unnatural behaviors. According to a report, \u201cAt SeaWorld, orcas are kept in a series of tanks that average approximately 86 feet by 51 feet and are only 34 feet deep. (PETA- A Summary of the Effects of Captivity on Orcas.) Tilikum was 22 ft long and 12,000 lbs, with barely any space to roam, forced to dwell just below the surface his whole life. Nothing but unfortunate. These distressing behaviors underline the urgent need for a change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Seaworld, Orcas had no chance of vital bonds with other orcas. Marine researcher Dr. John Hall says,
\u201cSeaWorld removes calves from their mothers at ages far younger than they would be separated in the wild, if at all.\u201d (\u201cInterviews – John Hall | a Whale of a Business | Frontline.\u201d PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.) This has shown highly distressing to the young orcas right from when they are first captured. Within seaworlds walls, the orcas are constantly moved around disregarding their need for complex familial and sociological bonds. Researchers found that, \u201cMost populations live in stable social groups with strong long-term associations, and some individuals, such as mothers and sons, stay together for life.\u201d (Fisheries, NOAA. \u201cKiller Whale.\u201d NOAA, 17 Jan. 2024.) The disruption of these bonds not only induces distress from young calves, but also deprives them of meaningful social connections vital for their well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, we want to let the whales free immediately, but it is no easy process since the whales have grown accustomed to having human caretakers and resources given to them. SeaWorld and other marine biologists have said, \u201cWhales could not survive outside the park because they have lived all or most of their lives in captivity and lack hunting skills. (LA Times- Here\u2019s why SeaWorld probably won\u2019t release its whales into the wild). While this is logical, SeaWorld completely
dismisses any innovation to solve this problem, unconsidering of any alternative to captivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Whale sanctuary project is only one of these solutions, promoting the release of whales and dolphins. With a research team of marine experts, they look to rehabilitate them in seaside sanctuaries before releasing them back into their natural habitat. They claim, \u201cImmediately after announcing our choice of Port Hilford Bay for the location for the sanctuary, we began a series of environmental studies. This detailed work involves expert analysis of everything from microorganisms, water pressures and temperatures through every season over two years to gaining a full understanding of the soil and rock on land and on the seabed.\u201d (The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature. \u201cThe Sanctuary – the Whale Sanctuary Project: Back to Nature.\u201d The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature, 1 Nov. 2023.) The time for complacency is over and considering alternatives like this is the first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seaworld fights morals for profit, Empty the tanks fights exploitation for freedom. Let’s strive for a future where freedom and dignity are afforded to all beings, both great and small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Works Cited
Cowperthwaite, Gabriela. \u201cCowperthwaite Talks to CNN about \u201cBlackfish.\u201d\u201d CNN, 23 Oct. 2013, www.cnn.com\/2013\/10\/23\/opinion\/blackfish-filmmaker-statement\/index.html.<\/a>
Masunaga, Samantha. \u201cHere\u2019s Why SeaWorld Probably Won\u2019t Release Its Whales into the Wild.\u201d Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2016, www.latimes.com\/business\/la-fi-seaworld-sea-pens-20160317-htmlstory.html.<\/a>
Nature, The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to. \u201cThe Sanctuary.\u201d The Whale Sanctuary Project | back to Nature, whalesanctuaryproject.org\/the-sanctuary\/.
NOAA Fisheries. \u201cKiller Whale .\u201d Noaa.gov, NOAA Fisheries, 2016, www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/species\/killer-whale.<\/a>
PETA. A Summary of the Effects of Captivity on Orcas.
\u201cSeaWorld Responds to Questions about Captive Orcas, \u201cBlackfish\u201d Film – CNN.\u201d CNN, 2013, www.cnn.com\/2013\/10\/21\/us\/seaworld-blackfish-qa\/index.html.
The Whale Sanctuary Project. \u201cTilikum: The Whale Who Rebelled.\u201d The Whale Sanctuary Project | back to Nature, whalesanctuaryproject.org\/whales\/tilikum-the-whale-who-rebelled\/.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reflection: Writing this op-ed was more than just putting together facts. This is a topic i am deeply passionate about, and this assignment pushed me to think deeply about how language can spark empathy and drive change. I wanted readers to feel<\/em> the injustice behind the smiling faces of marine shows, which is why I opened with a vivid, almost poetic image of a whale turned into a puppet for applause. That choice was intentional\u2014to immediately break through the polished image of places like SeaWorld and instead humanize the orcas behind the glass. As I wrote, I realized how powerful storytelling can be in exposing truth; blending Tilikum\u2019s story with harsh statistics and emotional appeals made my argument stronger and more real.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Empty The Tanks Picture a breathtaking humpback whale, once a symbol of boundless freedom, now reduced to a mere spectacle; commanded when to leap, when to dive, when to eat, when to leap\u2013 again, and even when it can retire. Drowned out by rounds of applause are silent cries that echo between dense concrete walls…. <\/p>\n

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