Since CNN decided to almost continually air this "documentary", I decided I finally needed to write out all my problems with the film.  As with all issues, it's important to be able to look at both sides of an argument.  The main problem with Blackfish is that it simply doesn't provide the other side - at all.  I'm grateful that people are concerned about the welfare of animals in zoos and aquaria because they have helped to push zoos and aquaria to where they are today.  People should care about animal care.  But they should also know about what goes into it before they make assumptions.  I work in this industry.  I know what it means to be AZA accredited and I can promise you that the whales in SeaWorld's care are well taken care of.

SeaWorld made a great website in response that has all sorts of great info – here it is: http://seaworld.com/truth/

One of my favorite responses was this one (http://micechat.com/54871-seaworld-orlando-wild-days/) cause it showed some of the great things SeaWorld Orlando has done to make it more educational in the park itself.

This one is an interview with Tilikum’s actual trainer: http://micechat.com/54370-blackfish-backlash/

This one is about the OSHA Conflict of Interest: http://micechat.com/54871-seaworld-orlando-wild-days/

There are countless others.  If you want more information please feel free to check out the Stand with SeaWorld, Anti-Blackfish Movement, or Awesome Ocean's Facebook pages.

SeaWorld is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums which means its standard of animal care is well above anything that is required by the government.  The AZA holds zoos to a very high standard and the fact that SeaWorld is a member speaks volumes.  They're also accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.  That Alliance is the primary body for caring for marine mammals. SeaWorld is also one of the largest rehabilitation groups for marine animals and they do a ton of great conservation work.

Another thing I hear a lot is that these animals are too big or intelligent for captivity.  If you put the normal captivity issues people sometimes have with zoos aside, their intelligence is one of the things that makes taking care of them easier.  They enjoy being trained.  They love being social.  And they love working for their food.  That right there makes their care more rewarding for both trainer and animal.  .

I get to work with the zoo’s African elephants and they are pretty similar – very social, vary large, and they can walk around 25 miles a day in the wild.  But in the zoo, they were more than content with their exhibit.  I know these girls and can tell how they were feeling.  They love working with their trainers.  They get great enrichment every single day.  I can honestly say that they have a great life.  SeaWorld isn’t any different.

Accredited zoological facilities do their best to provide for their animals.  They educate millions of people every year and inspire them to care about this world.  Attacking SeaWorld is detrimental to all the people they inspire every year and reduces potential funding for the hundreds of animals they rehabilitate each year.  So please check your facts before you speak or post or tweet and choose the right side - standing with SeaWorld.