Former US SeaWorld trainer blows whistle on 'house of horrors' conditions
A former trainer at a US SeaWorld park has described the popular tourist park as a “house of horrors”, claiming its killer whales were kept in small pools, and often attacked their handlers.
Last week orca Kasatka became SeaWorld’s third killer whale to die this year, after falling ill.
John Hargrove, a long-time SeaWorld employee until 2012 described the park’s practices as an “abomination.”
“Kasatka lived in misery, in barbaric and horrific conditions, and died in agony. She lived out her days in a house of horrors – and I was complicit in selling the lie to the public,” he told the Daily Mail.
Behind the scenes the orcas, he claimed, often banged their heads against the concrete in boredom.
In 2006, Kasatka reportedly dragged trainer Ken Peters by the feet and almost drowned him at the bottom of the pool, where he suffered a broken foot and puncture wounds.
Four years later, trainer Dawn Brancheau, 40, was killed after an orca named Tilikum dragged her by the pony tail and severed her spinal cord.
Mr Hargrove, 43, had been friends with Ms Brancheau.
He told the publication he suffered broken ribs, fingers, toes and facial fractures during his 14 years as a SeaWorld trainer.
“These animals are trapped, frustrated, unhappy. Of course they take it out on humans they come into contact with. Being in a tank for years on end wrecks them mentally.”
He also called Kasatka “one of the most dangerous animals I met.”
Kasatka’s passing followed the July death of the park's final orca to be born in captivity under its former breeding program.
The three-month-old killer whale calf, named Kyara, died in San Antonio, and was being treated for an infection at the park’s Animal Hospital.
At the time, a press release from the company said staff fought tirelessly to save the orca, who the park believed died of pneumonia, but her health continued to deteriorate.
The mother of the calf, Takara, was already pregnant with Kyara when the company announced it was suspending its captive breeding program.
She was born in April after an 18-month pregnancy.
Announcing Kyara's death last month, an orca trainer named Julie said the animal had a tremendous impact on each of her care staff, and the park's guests.
"From late nights to early morning, rain or shine, we dedicate our lives to these animals, and this loss will be felt throughout the entire SeaWorld family,” she said.
A recent change in Californian legislation prevents mothers and calves from being separated, ending captive breeding.
SeaWorld, which also has parks in Orlando, Florida, and San Antonio, Texas, said the illness was not caused by her being in captivity and pneumonia was the most common cause of illness and death for dolphins and whales, in facilities and in the wild.
The park said it is monitoring other members of the orca pod in San Antonio, and none of them are showing any signs of illness.
Australia's Sea World park on the Gold Coast is not home to whales, but the park boasted a "strong reputation for caring for marine animals" and said it prided itself on its "exemplary record of animal care, research and rescue accomplishments".
In a statement, the local park used the lifespan of bottlenose dolphins to show how the park helps its animals to thrive. The dolphins usually have a life span of 23-30 years in the wild, however Sea World said it had some living beyond 50 years of age due to excellent husbandry, veterinary care, world class facilities and a lack of predators.
"The health and wellbeing of our animals is of the upmost priority. Sea World has rescued, rehabilitated and released many marine creatures over its years of operation through the park’s not for profit research and rescue foundation," the Gold Coast park said.
"Village Roadshow Theme Parks is very proud of its Australian operations and has a strong reputation for caring for animals, along with an exemplary record of animal care, research and rescue accomplishments.
“Any international marine park we operate will uphold these same values and ethics as Sea World Australia," the company added.
