Blackfish Documentary - Student Response Assignment

Oceans 11 - Bowie Blackfish Documentary Student Response Assignment Page 2 of 2

Blackfish Documentary - Student Response Assignment

Name: ______Section: _____ Date: November 14, 2016

Recalling the facts:

1. How did the wild orca population behave during the time when SeaWorld group was attempting to corral the young whales and during the process of netting and removal of the young orcas?

2. Describe the environment that Tilikum lived in during his time at Sealand in British Columbia. What methods of training were the Sealand trainers using with the young Tilikum?

3. What evidence did the Sealand trainers have that Tilikum was being picked on by the other orcas?

4. When the trainer was killed at Sealand, who was blamed? Was this confirmed by the two woman who observed the entire event?

5. Why was SeaWorld Orlando so interested in buying Tilikum when Sealand closed?

6. What were the SeaWorld trainers told about Tilikum’s past behavior when he arrived?

7. The day that Dawn Brancheau died, trainers say that Tilikum was off his game. What behavior did they witness that was caused them to be concerned?

8. How exactly did Dawn Brancheau die? What did the SeaWorld executives claim was the cause of this tragic death?

9. After Dawn’s death, what happened to Tilikum? If you have access to technology, try to find out how Tilikum is doing today?

10. What misinformation were the employees of SeaWorld instructed to tell the public about the lives of orcas in captivity compared to the lives of orcas in the wild? Give at least 2 examples.

11. In the video, we see testimony of a neuroscientist who talks about the unique brain structure of orcas (based on an MRI scan) and how it differs, even from humans. What is the suspected result of this brain difference? How might this be of concern when decisions are made to separate mother orcas from their babies? What evidence do we see in the video to support this hypothesis?

12. SeaWorld is currently appealing a court ruling that makes trainers stay out of the water and a certain distance away from whales to ensure their safety. Do you believe that SeaWorld should be fighting that decision? Why or why not?

Thinking Critically

On a separate sheet of paper, write a well planned and critically thought out essay (not just a sentence or two, or even just a paragraph or two) explaining whether or not you think parks like SeaWorld, Marine Land, Sealand and others like them should continue to operate. Defend your arguments with supporting details, facts and examples.

You will be sharing your essays will classmates.