If somehow you’ve yet to be convinced that keeping killer whales in captivity is cruel and distressing for them, perhaps cast your eyes over the above video, which shows Sea World-owned orca Morgan apparently trying to “commit suicide”.
The shocking footage shows the animal beaching itself at the Loro Parque water park in the Spanish Canary Islands and has prompted renewed calls for her to be returned to her pod.
Morgan was out of water for at least 10 minutes, according to the Dolphin Project, who posted the video on their blog after it was captured anonymously.
Protesters gather outside Loro Parque last year. Source: Getty
"We cannot explain the reason for her behaviour," the organisation said. "Sadly, Morgan was still out of the water by the time the videographers had to leave."
The park dismissed the video as an attempt at manipulation through "exaggeration and dramatization of a completely normal situation".
"The orcas at Loro Parque are trained to leave the water on their own accord. This behaviour is used for manifold purposes, for example, for presenting the animals to the public, for conducting corporal check-ups, for inspecting their blowholes, as well as for testing hearing abilities of the orcas," they said in a statement.
It's true orcas have been known to beach themselves temporarily while hunting, but they usually remain constantly in motion, even swimming while asleep and when on land there is a risk the weight of their bodies may crush their internal organs.
Former Seaworld Trainer Dr Jeffrey Venture said he believed Morgan was obviously unhappy and engaging in "escape behaviour".
"She was captured ... in 2010, so this marks her sixth year in captivity," he told Sky News. "She was inserted into this social group with five other whales she doesn't get along with ... it looked like she jumped up on that stage area to get away from the other whales."
While visitors at the park didn't seem phased by Morgan's odd behaviour (some even stopped to take selfies), overwhelmingly, the response online has been one of concern, with some who watched the video going as far as to label it a "suicide" attempt.
It's not the first time Loro Parquq has come under fire for mistreating it's animals either.
Last year, PETA called for Spain’s Nature Protection Service investigate after they allegedly found the orcas with marks from "aggressive attacks", "missing or broken teeth" and some "floating listlessly and exhibiting atypical behaviour".
* Feature image via The Dolphin Project
Top Comments
How were they allowed to capture a wild orca and keep it? It would still be hideous if Morgan was born in captivity but it us vile they have trapped a wild animal for entertainment.
I don't agree with keep these animals in captivity but trying to humanise the behaviour by comparing it to suicide is absurd.
Is that what happens to whales beaching themselves.
Some scientists believe the Orcas intelligence and abilities to feel emotions rate 2nd only behind humans. Their brains are enormous with parts not even found the human brain.
Who really knows if she is attempting suicide but whatever she is trying to tell us it's not good and very sad.