Argumentative Essay

Marine-Mammal Shows: Harmful to both Animals and People A famous dolphin trainer gave up his career which could have brought him both wealth and prosperity and became a free-the-dolphins activist instead. His name is Richard O’Barry and he is now struggling to conserve the rights of marine animals, especially dolphins. He was motivated by the fact that his precious dolphin (in the movie “Flipper”) that he once trained committed suicide in front of him, which shows one of the many problematic aspects of marine-mammal entertainment industries. Marine park shows include marine mammals such as dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions, orca, cetaceans and so on. Since the 1960s and the movie “Flipper,” these animals started to be displayed to the public in special shows with radically increased public demand. Meanwhile, it is debatable whether humans have the right to use marine mammals for entertainment. Although some think that the marine-mammal shows are beneficial for educational purposes, it is imperative that the shows be stopped because they absolutely do not guarantee the animals’ health, the animals’ emotional well-being, and human safety. Those who insist that marine-mammal shows be continued believe that the shows are educational for people. They state that, in the urbanized contemporary world, there is very little chance to see marine mammals. They believe that the shows enable people to learn how to understand, communicate with, and love the animals. However, it is doubtful that the educational purpose of marine mammal shows is well-realized. This is because the audiences who are supposed to be educated actually do not seem to feel the effects of the show. According to Kellert and Dunlap, unlike the educational statements of captive animal facilities, the average visitor’s care and regard for the biology and ecology of animals after a zoo visit lessens (Jiang 3, 2007). Furthermore, the shows could bring the reverse results. Many visitors of animal parks,

Cited: Jiang, Yixing; Luck, Michael; Parsons E.C.M. “Public Awareness, Education, and Marine Mammal Captivity.” Tourism Review International, Volume 11, Number 3, 2007 , pp. 237-249(13), Cognizant Communication Corporation Kretzer, Michelle. “8 Trainers Reveal Abuse at Marine Park.” www.PETA.org, 16 August 2012. Web. 12 May 2013. Mike Thomas of The,Sentinel Staff. "Critics Fight Sea World Whale Hunt." Orlando Sentinel: 0. Jan 04 1987. ProQuest. Web. 20 May 2013 Garcia, Jason. " 'Gaps ' in Trainers ' Safety Debated." Orlando SentinelSep 20 2011. ProQuest. Web. 20 May 2013 The Cove. Dir. Louie Psihoyos. Perf. Ric O 'Barry. Oceanic Preservation Society, 2009. Film.