BONUS: Documentary Review on Blackfish

Blackfish follows the story of Tilikum and debunks the stereotype of killer whales as violent and threatening to humans. Tilikum was captured as a young calf near Iceland and is the largest killer whale held in captivity. He was held in captivity for a total of over 30 years in Sealand in Canada and Seaworld in Florida. Throughout his captivity, he killed three people. The film goes into detail of the life of the beloved Dawn Brancheau (lead SeaWorld Orlando trainer) as well as the incidences of a trespasser in SeaWorld Orlando, and a trainer at Sealand of the Pacific.

Due to media publishing twisted accounts of in addition to public fear, killer whales are seen as dangerous animals. Orcas’ name alone, “killer” whales, already instills terror to the public, suggesting that they kill humans. In fact, as stated in the documentary and through years of observation, no killer whale in the wild has ever killed a human. It is only the orcas that are held in captivity that did kill humans, most likely due to built up aggression from mistreatment and lack of freedom.

The film allows the audience to see the other side of killer whales through real accounts with trainers and fishermen. There are many clips where trainers are hugging and speaking highly of the orcas. Orcas definitely form bonds with humans in captivity and have no direct intention to hurt humans. One of the parts of the movie that left me speechless was of a former fisherman who captured killer whales for shipment to amusement parks. He recounts his grief as he had to net the orcas in the water, thinking to himself that he should not be doing it. He even compared capturing the orca as the orca’s family observes and wails from a distance to kidnapping a child while bystanders stare at him. He questioned his morality, yet he still continued the job.