Anyone who hasn’t lived under a rock is fully knowledgeable of the Blackfish effect that the documentary has had on SeaWorld. Since the documentary told the story of an orca whale named Tilikum, who was stolen from his mother in their home of the wild when it was just a wee tot, consumers have become well aware of the cruelty that had been hidden by the ocean captivity conglomerate.

We also know that the sea animals in their care suffer greatly, as their health problems range from minor infections to major self-inflicted death.

Besides killing themselves because they are so miserable being crammed into a small tank when their instincts want the vast ocean, their confinement is driving them mad to the point where they attack humans. Killer whales are not known to attack humans in the wild. In fact, an attack on a human from an orca has never been reported besides the stories documented from sea parks. Many of these attacks have been near fatal and even deadly. Tilikum alone has killed three people.

Campaigns all over the world have been urging SeaWorld and other aquatic parks to #EmptyTheTanks, but if it did so, that would mean shutting down the company, and it is big business after all. We also understand that by closing down the SeaWorld franchise, people would lose their jobs. By liquidating the brand, yes the captive oceanic animals would benefit, but the humans wouldn’t, and that is why SeaWorld won’t release their slaves.

What if we had an idea that would be in everyone’s favor? What if there was a solution that would not only rescue the cooped up cetaceans, but also create more jobs, opportunity and profits for SeaWorld, while turning them into a true organization for animal lovers?

The orca prison can truly turn itself around by releasing the orcas and using its facilities for other things. Here are some ideas that SeaWorld can capitalize on:

1. SeaWorld can host and teach marine biology classes and other ocean-life themed programs. They can even turn the tanks into stadium-style seating to utilize the SeaWorld experience. There are many colleges and universities that are successful with such programs, and the programs prove to be profitable and in demand, as many students want to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants.

2. SeaWorld can use its facilities for rehabilitation and release only. They can use the tanks and equipment to only rescue hurt or orphaned animals and prepare them for life back in the sea. They can still charge people to watch their veterinarian care, rescue and releases, and they can even make big events out of setting the animals free and back into the ocean. Many animal lovers and activists would take part in this and feel good about the fact that their admission money is going towards helping the animals. Getting a brief up-close glimpse at the animals that are rehabbing would just be a bonus.

3. SeaWorld can host aquatic-themed birthday parties and screen sea-themed movies like Jaws or Titanic. I would rather sit in an empty tank that is turned into a movie-viewing experience than know that a huge whale is living a pathetic life in that tank rather than in the ocean. By hosting these events, SeaWorld can still make money, entertainment is happening but in a much kinder way, and the whales can be swimming freely in the sea, where they belong.

4. SeaWorld can use modern technology to hologram the animals in at the park. Think of all of the money that will be saved rather than used on food, care and services for the whales and other animals. It will be a true 3D experience and a way to view the animals in a magnificent and unique light. It worked well for Tupac Shakur at Coachella and for Michael Jackson at the Billboard Music Awards. In fact, people were even fooled by how real the holograms seemed. SeaWorld can still have animals do tricks, except the entertainment will be performed by electronic remotes rather than abused animals.

5. SeaWorld can host charity events and concerts with partial proceeds benefitting wildlife conservation. Big names that once boycotted SeaWorld, like musicians such as Joan Jett or Bare Naked Ladies, might decide to work with them again by letting them use their music or by performing. If SeaWorld were to release the captive animals, I bet that celebrities would likely jump at the chance to be a part of this new and animal-loving organization.

6. SeaWorld can replace the animals with amusement park rides, a water park, laser tag and arcades. I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid I would rather run around shooting lasers than watch sad, enslaved animals behind a thick piece of glass. Heck, most adults would rather do that! Point is, there are so many other forms of entertainment that can be sea-themed, and all of them do not include the captivity and enslavement of tormented animals that really do belong in the wild.

Basically, SeaWorld can offer big fun at their parks while keeping the animals out of them. This would also prevent injuries to humans by these animals. These ocean natives do not belong on land in a tank filled with just a tiny percent of the water that they can experience in their natural habitat, which is practically endless and boundless. The possibilities of transforming SeaWorld into a place of good rather than a place of abuse are endless, too!

Only a few ideas have been touched on; there are so many other forms of amusement that work well. Doing so would not only create a better life for the captives and for future captives, it would also mend broken relationships while setting a positive example. Severed relationships with partners like Virgin America, Southwest Airlines, Taco Bell, Outdoorplay.com, and many others can possibly be fixed, celebrities can once again support the organization, and even activists might want to be a part of this huge display of goodness. In fact, SeaWorld can make such a splash with a decision like this, that they would truly make history while changing the game for captive entertainment animals. Just something for them to consider.

Source: http://www.care2.com