Don't use wild animals for entertainment

Straits Times Forum 19 Mar 10;

THE recent drowning of a trainer at SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida was indeed a tragedy, with many horrified people witnessing the violent act by Tilikum, a killer whale and long-term resident of the amusement park.

The animal had just finished performing at a noon-time show. It was reported that this was not the first time the same killer whale had been implicated in a death.

If one watches documentaries on these creatures (also known as orcas), they are naturally violent and aggressive towards their prey. They are also highly intelligent. Years of abuse in the captivity process - from capture and training to compulsory performance - no doubt provide the right climate for lashing out against the humans involved in the cruelty.

What goes on behind the scenes in the training process, one can only imagine - withholding or rewarding with food must surely be one way that the animals are bribed and forced into submission.

One can only hope, on hearing of this latest incident, that a universal review would be carried out to stamp out the insidious cruelty of capturing or breeding wild animals for human entertainment and amusement, for which ultimately some humans will pay the price, as in this case.

Closer to home, there have been incidents where wild animals used in performances have let loose their frustrations. As long as these creatures are placed near unsuspecting and excited audiences, there will always be a risk they will attack because they are inherently wild and unpredictable.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) supports the call by animal rights group Acres ('Wild animals are dangerous', Forum Online, March 5) for captive establishments here to be the leaders and refrain from using wild animals (including whales, dolphins, elephants and snakes) to perform or be handled by members of the public, in the interest of the latter's safety, and to protect the animals from unnecessary stress.

We also hope the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority will review SPCA's request in 2002 to extend the ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses (on public safety and animal welfare grounds) to captive facilities or other entertainment mediums in Singapore.

Deirdre Moss (Ms)
Executive Officer
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals