Orcas

http://action.sumofus.org/a/seaworld-orcas-captivity-california-ban-blackfish/?sub=fb

These whales are some of the most amazing creatures I think I have ever seen in my life. I've loved them since I first saw Free Willy back in the 90s. I used to think that maybe I would be a SeaWorld trainer. Sure, it did take a movie like Blackfish to make me understand that SeaWorld lied to me as a 4 year old girl, and I believed it up until now. Yes, it's embarrassing that I didn't realize that SeaWorld is exactly the same concept as the sea park in the Free Willy movie. But I have done my research now, looked into both sides of the argument, and all I can say is I'm happy my eyes are opened, even if it seems like I'm just jumping on some sort of bandwagon. The way they do that squealing thing to talk to each other that always reminds me of stepping on my dog's toys. That white oval on their heads that I used to imagine was their giant eyeball. The fact that they love their babies just as much as our parents love us. They're fascinating. They're stunning. They're one of the best parts of this world. But they are not ours. If years from now, children don't get the same exciting experience of Sea World that you and I had when we were kids, then so be it because we don't get to exploit and torture other living, feeling beings for our own "education". If I want my children to see and appreciate the beauty of these animals, which I do, I'll take them whale watching where they can appreciate the animals not doing tricks for food, but simply existing the way that they're supposed to. "Why does it really matter?", you might ask. Well, I can't make you care. I can't do anything to keep you from thinking that humans are the smartest, most important creatures on this planet and we get to do whatever we want to make our own lives better. But I don't see it that way... So if you haven't watched Blackfish, watch it. And if you like Orcas to be happy and healthy in the ocean with their babies, read the link and sign the petition. :)