Captivity of Killer Whales
Persuasive Speech Outline
The Effects of Captivity on Killer Whales
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that holding killer whales in captivity is harmful to the mammal.
Central Idea: Holding killer whales in captivity is a harmful problem to the mammal that requires action from both the government and the public.
Introduction
On February 24, 2010 couples and families were seated in the stadiums at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida for one of the most popular shows at the theme park “Believe”. Unfortunately, many families participating in that day’s event were eye-witnesses to an extremely traumatic tragedy at the SeaWorld theme park. It was reported by CNN news that the trainer Dawna Brancheau was grabbed by the mouth of Tilikum, the killer whale, and was thrashed around the tank until she was dead. It was also reported that the trainer was showing the audience how Tilikum liked his belly to be rubbed. He then took off from the side of the tank, came back, and picked her up from around the waist and began to violently shake her. Tourists and visitors were immediately evacuated from the “Shamu” Stadiums and the show was closed down for the rest of the day.
Wild Orcas, also known as killer whales, are not typically considered a threat to human beings. In fact, the primary cases of killer whales attacking humans are only those that have been held captive at various marine theme parks. Having attended marine theme parks, such as, SeaWorld, I can confirm that animals within the theme park are being exploited solely for the purpose of entertainment. Today, I’ll show you how holding killer whales in captivity is a harmful problem to the mammals and I’ll also suggest some ways of solving this problem.
(Transition: Let’s start with addressing the harmful effects that captivity can have on killer whales.)
Body
I. There are two main problems with keeping killer whales in captivity.
A. Killer whales in captivity are being deprived of necessary items
The Effects of Captivity on Killer Whales
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that holding killer whales in captivity is harmful to the mammal.
Central Idea: Holding killer whales in captivity is a harmful problem to the mammal that requires action from both the government and the public.
Introduction
On February 24, 2010 couples and families were seated in the stadiums at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida for one of the most popular shows at the theme park “Believe”. Unfortunately, many families participating in that day’s event were eye-witnesses to an extremely traumatic tragedy at the SeaWorld theme park. It was reported by CNN news that the trainer Dawna Brancheau was grabbed by the mouth of Tilikum, the killer whale, and was thrashed around the tank until she was dead. It was also reported that the trainer was showing the audience how Tilikum liked his belly to be rubbed. He then took off from the side of the tank, came back, and picked her up from around the waist and began to violently shake her. Tourists and visitors were immediately evacuated from the “Shamu” Stadiums and the show was closed down for the rest of the day.
Wild Orcas, also known as killer whales, are not typically considered a threat to human beings. In fact, the primary cases of killer whales attacking humans are only those that have been held captive at various marine theme parks. Having attended marine theme parks, such as, SeaWorld, I can confirm that animals within the theme park are being exploited solely for the purpose of entertainment. Today, I’ll show you how holding killer whales in captivity is a harmful problem to the mammals and I’ll also suggest some ways of solving this problem.
(Transition: Let’s start with addressing the harmful effects that captivity can have on killer whales.)
Body
I. There are two main problems with keeping killer whales in captivity.
A. Killer whales in captivity are being deprived of necessary items
Cited: Couwels, John, and Brian Todd. "Orca Kills Trainer at SeaWorld Orlando // Current." Current TV: News Video Clips & Current News Articles // Current. 25 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. <http://current.com/news/92212843_orca-kills-trainer-at-seaworld-orlando.htm>. Stephern, Lilly. "Killer Whale (Orca) | Cetacean Fact Sheet | American Cetacean Society." ACS - American Cetacean Society. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. <http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/KillerWhale.htm>. "The Hidden Cost Of Captivity- Oral Health of Killer Whales Exposed « The Orca Project." The Orca Project. 25 Sept. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. <http://theorcaproject.wordpress.com/2010/09/25/the-hidden-cost-of-captivity-oral-health-of-killer-whales-exposed/>. The Humane Society of the United States : The Humane Society of the United States. 2009. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. <http://www.humanesociety.org/>. "UnderwaterTimes | PETA Issues Statement On Seaworld Killer Whale Attack." UnderwaterTimes.com | News of the Underwater World. 25 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. <http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=76101834059>.