Since its inception, SeaWorld has been known world-wide for their trainer/killer whale interactions. The bonds between them could be felt within the millions of guests that came through SeaWorld parks every year. Unfortunately, due to a tragic accident in 2010, veteran trainer Dawn Brancheau was pulled in and drowned by a killer whale, since that day waterwork with the killer whales at all SeaWorld parks stopped. It has been over a decade since that tragic day and many lessons have been learned from it. Many had dreamed of going to SeaWorld to see waterwork and never got to experience the majesty and beauty of seeing waterwork between whale and trainer. These examples below will show why waterwork specifically should be brought back into SeaWorld’s shows and presentations.

    Why is waterwork important for killer whales? To maintain close relationships between trainers and killer whales, SeaWorld trainers would spend the majority of their work time (beside hourly observation, food prep, and regular dry-work training and husbandry sessions) being in the water with them. These in-water interactions not only helped build strong bonds between trainer and whale, but it also kept the whales mentaly and physically stimulated. Another benefit from waterworks is that some medical examinations require both trainers and vets to have very close contact with the animals in order to take good care of them and ensure that they are healthy. Waterworks should be brought back to mainly be used for play sessions, during husbandry sessions and medical procedures to start. SeaWorld trainers knew the potential risks with getting in the water with the killer whales. Trainers would have to have three years of mentorship and observing senior trainers doing waterwork, to gain a better understanding of killer whale behavior and creating relationships with all the whales, before even stepping foot in the water with them.   

    Animal rights groups have created a double standard when it comes to views on waterworks with marine mammals. They claim that waterworks “hurt” marine mammals in human care when there are dozens of photos and videos of high-profile extremists engaging in interactions with marine mammals; in the wild both in and out-of the water. To them, these interactions involving these activists are regarded as “romantic”, “magical”, and “mystical”, while deeming in-water interactions with marine mammals as “bad”. This creates a double standard as far as their critique on marine mammal husbandry practices at accredited facilities. This, along with the fact that in many cases, it seems that companies acquainted with animal rights activists only target these accredited facilities because of how prominently known they are to many people in the United States.

    Over the course of nearly 50 years, waterwork had shown tremendous benefits to not only the killer whales themselves, but to the trainers as well. These in-water interactions can, and will, physically and mentally stimulate the whales. These close interactions between whale and trainer are immensely enriching for the animals. The bonds formed between whale and trainer could be felt in the millions of guests that came into SeaWorld Parks across the United States. In conclusion, we implore you to join us in our fight to bringing back waterwork at SeaWorld parks.

Thank you for your support, and together we can bring back waterwork.

Here is a link to view our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/gpPF3wS80L8