When Animals Attack!

Free Willy

Let’s get one thing clear.  I don’t care how cute you think it is, there is a reason why they call it a “Killer” Whale.  Recently at a Sea World event, a killer whale named “Tilly” killed a trainer after she accidently fell into the water just before a live show.  This isn’t the first time that an animal has killed a trainer – its not even the first time that this particular whale has been involved in a person’s death.  What should we learn from this?

Stop @*$%*& with animals!

I’m not a card-carrying member of PETA and I often believe that people take the animal rights crusade a bit too far.  But some things are just aren’t debatable.  I don’t think I can ever understand those who think killing animals can be a “sport” or television actors who feel it necessary to kill animals when they are “pretending” to be in survival mode.  Whales, tigers, elephants and bulls do not volunteer to be circus acts or live in cages and were not created for our entertainment.

I believe zoos and certain attractions do provide an important educational service that I think helps people understand and sympathize with the world around them.  You’re probably less likely to hurt an animal that you’ve had the opportunity to pet.  But there has to be some kind of balance.  There has to be a way for us to learn about these animals without permanently ruining any chance of them being able to live in their natural habitat.

Whether you liked the movie Avatar or not, it can’t be understated that we have to continue to be sensitive not just to animals, but nature as a whole.  Sure, we’re on top of the food chain and we can pretty much do whatever we want but if we’re not careful, we can forget that power isn’t the same as invincibility.

Apparently Tilly felt like giving us all a reminder.