

An edition of Death at SeaWorld (2012)
Shamu and the dark side of killer whales in captivity
By David Kirby
Publish Date
2012
Publisher
St. Martin's Press
Language
eng
Pages
469
Description:
A scientific thriller that exposes the dark side of America's most beloved marine mammal park. It centers on the battle with the multimillion-dollar marine park industry over the controversial and even lethal ramifications of keeping killer whales in captivity. Following the story of marine biologist and animal advocate at the Humane Society of the United States, Naomi Rose, the author tells the story of the two-decade fight against public relations-savvy SeaWorld, which came to a head with the tragic death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010. The author puts that horrific attack in context: Brancheau's death was only the most publicized among several brutal attacks at marine mammal theme parks. This book introduces real people taking part in this debate, from former trainers turned animal rights activists to the men and women that champion SeaWorld and the captivity of whales. As the story progresses and orca attacks on trainers become increasingly violent, the warnings of scientists fall on deaf ears, only to be realized with the death of Dawn Brancheau. Finally the book covers the media backlash, the eyewitnesses who come forward to challenge SeaWorld's glossy image, and the groundbreaking OSHA case that challenges the very idea of keeping killer whales in captivity.
subjects: Death and burial, Sea World, Aquatic animal welfare, Killer whale, Animal attacks, Biography, Behavior, Marine biologists, Captive marine mammals, Humane Society of the United States, Tierhaltung, Schwertwal, Whales, Aquariums, Animal welfare, Biologists, Zoology, united states, Moral and ethical aspects
People: Dawn Brancheau (1969-2010), Naomi A. Rose
Places: United States, Florida, Orlando