Death at SeaWorld : Shamu and the dark side of killer whales in captivity / David Kirby

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

Object Details

Author
Kirby, David 1960-
Subject
Brancheau, Dawn 1969-2010 Death and burial
Rose, Naomi A
Sea World
Humane Society of the United States
Contents
Pt. 1. Blackfish : Marine biologist ; Trainer ; Capture ; Santa Cruz ; Johnstone Strait ; Hotdogging ; Residents vs. transients ; OrcaLab ; Happy talk ; Mama's boys ; Breakfast at SeaWorld ; Whale for sale ; Dissertation -- Pt. 2. Dark side : Arrival ; Humane Society ; Backstage doubts ; Blood in the water ; The case against ; Free Willy ; Protection ; Kiss of death ; Catch and release ; Tilly's Willy ; Better days ; The Salish Sea ; The strange case of Daniel Dukes ; Transatlantic ties ; Abnormal activities ; Ken and Kasatka ; Tenerife ; Death at SeaWorld -- Pt. 3. After Dawn : Wake ; Battle stations ; Oversight ; Citation ; Superpod
Summary
A scientific thriller that exposes the dark side of America's most beloved marine mammal park. It centers on the battle with the multimillion-dollar marine park industry over the controversial and even lethal ramifications of keeping killer whales in captivity. Following the story of marine biologist and animal advocate at the Humane Society of the United States, Naomi Rose, the author tells the story of the two-decade fight against public relations-savvy SeaWorld, which came to a head with the tragic death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010. The author puts that horrific attack in context: Brancheau's death was only the most publicized among several brutal attacks at marine mammal theme parks. This book introduces real people taking part in this debate, from former trainers turned animal rights activists to the men and women that champion SeaWorld and the captivity of whales. As the story progresses and orca attacks on trainers become increasingly violent, the warnings of scientists fall on deaf ears, only to be realized with the death of Dawn Brancheau. Finally the book covers the media backlash, the eyewitnesses who come forward to challenge SeaWorld's glossy image, and the groundbreaking OSHA case that challenges the very idea of keeping killer whales in captivity.
2012
Type
Biography
Physical description
viii, 469 p. ; 24 cm
Place
Florida
Orlando
United States
Smithsonian Libraries
Topic
Killer whale--Behavior
Captive marine mammals--Behavior
Killer whale
Animal attacks
Aquatic animal welfare--Moral and ethical aspects
Marine biologists
Record ID
siris_sil_1019447
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0