The Orcas (aka Killer Whales) were at first a beautiful sight against the deep azure blue pool on this hot summer day. However, seeing these beautiful pelagic creatures held in relatively small facilities, strictly for the entertainment of the average tourist and revenue for the owners of the venue (Marineland in Niagra Falls, Canada) truly sickened me - this only days after a report about a mother and pup sea lion dying from heat stroke in the Los Angeles aquarium. Marineland also had about 10 Beluga whales, also restricted to the confines of a relatively small pool. Although there were no educational aspects of the exhibit, you can pet the whale and they can even tell you his or her name for $8. I have mixed feelings about seeing sealife in captivity, especially large pelagic species. On one hand it does provide an educational tool for children and adults alike to help raise awareness of the beauty of the marine environment. Awareness is the first step towards conservation. But this is contingent on educational programs, which seemed absent from the experience I had in Marineland.
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