Do not promote or sell David Kirby's book "Death at SeaWorld"
- by: SeaWorld fans and supporters
- recipient: All bookstores and media outlets
Note to signers: All anti-captivity comments will be removed. I respect everyone's beliefs, and I ask for the same level of respect in return. Only sign this petition if you support SeaWorld. Otherwise, take your comments somewhere else. No exceptions!!!
This coming July, David Kirby's book Death at SeaWorld will be released in various bookstores. This book discusses the controversy of keeping killer whales in captivity, which currently revolves around the tragic death of Dawn Brancheau on February 24 2010. It also follows the story of marine biologist Naomi Rose of the U.S. Humane Society. Kirby not only mentions people who campaign against SeaWorld, such as former trainers and eyewitnesses, but he also mentions incidents between killer whales and trainers, including Dawn's death. In addition, he describes the ongoing case between SeaWorld and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This book should not be sold or promoted in any way.
SeaWorld trainers have worked to educate people about killer whales. Before we had places like SeaWorld, people were afraid of these animals. Fishermen shot them in competition for food, and the U.S. Military used them as living targets for anti-submarine training. They were even hunted. It was through places like SeaWorld that we have learned to appreciate killer whales. We have also learned interesting facts about these animals, such as their social behavior. Although we may enjoy seeing these animals in the wild, not many people get this opportunity. Therefore, having some killer whales in captivity can be beneficial to our knowledge.
Trainers at SeaWorld know that working with the ocean's top predator is a dangerous job. That is why they are doing everything they can to minimize the risk of being injured or killed. Before February 2010, a new trainer would not be allowed to enter the water until he or she had formed a strong, trusting relationship with the killer whales. Trainers have been told about signs they should look for to predict when an animal is about to become aggressive. They have also been warned about which whales they should never enter the water with, such as Tilikum, the 6 ton killer whale who was blamed for three deaths, including Dawn's. Following this tragic death, SeaWorld has been revising their safety protocols. For example, trainers with long hair are now prohibited from having ponytails, and must tie it in a bun. They also have new rules for working with Tilikum. Now they must maintain a safe distance and use extension poles to perform the tasks necessary to take care of him. SeaWorld has also invested millions of dollars in new safety equipment, such as fast rising pool floors, removable guardrails, and radio control distraction devices.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) should not have any right to keep SeaWorld from allowing it's trainer to re-enter the water with killer whales. Interacting with these animals in the water, referred to as waterwork, helps to keep them stimulated, and it strengthens the relationship between killer whale and trainer. This bond is important because it allows trainers to work closely with the whales and take care of them. Also, some husbandry examinations require trainers and veterinarians to have close contact with the killer whales in order to maintain their health. Ever since OSHA fined them, all close contact has been impossible. In October 2010, a killer whale named Kalina died of a bacterial infection. If OSHA had not interfered, trainers and vets would have been able to detect her condition earlier, and they would have had more time to act. This could have saved her.
Dawn Brancheau died doing what she loved, and although her death is a serious matter, it is not fair that people like David Kirby are using it to make a profit. This is an offense to her and her family. SeaWorld has worked hard to promote conservation, and educate people about the animals that inhabit our oceans. Therefore, Death at SeaWorld should not be sold or promoted anywhere.
The goal of the petition is as follows:
1. To question the morals of the author and the people he profiled in the book.
2. Have the book be kept off of bookstores and online shops out of all grounds regarding the questionable morals of the author and his use of using a trainer's death to gain profit without the consent of Dawn's family.
3. To establish a moral code of ethics for authors regarding their use of high profiled tragedies, such as not being allowed to use a high profiled tragedy nor it's victims without the consent of their families. This consent must ensure that the family does receive a portion of an author's income produced from sales of these books.
4. To have all books not be completely one-sided. If books want to focus on various issues, they must include more than just a single side of the issue.
5. To prevent media promotion of the book due to the book's explotive use of a trainer's death.
DISCLAIMER: This petiton does not aim to censor the book in any way.
To whom it may concern,
We the undersigned urge you not to sell or promote David Kirby's book Death at SeaWorld.
This book discusses the controversy of keeping killer whales in captivity, which has revolved around the death of Dawn Brancheau on February 24 2010. David Kirby not only mentions people who campaign against SeaWorld, but he also mentions incidents between killer whales and trainers, including Dawn's death. In addition, he describes the ongoing case between SeaWorld and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding the interaction between killer whales and trainers in the water.
SeaWorld trainers have worked to educate people about killer whales. Before we had places like SeaWorld, people were afraid of these animals. Fishermen shot them in competition for food, and the U.S. Military used them as living targets for anti-submarine training. They were even hunted. It was through places like SeaWorld that we have learned to appreciate killer whales. We have also learned about their characteristics. Although we may enjoy seeing these animals in the wild, not many people get this opportunity. Therefore, having some killer whales in captivity can be beneficial to our knowledge.
Trainers at SeaWorld know that working with the ocean's top predator is a dangerous job. That is why they are doing everything they can to minimize the risk of being injured or killed. Before February 2010, a new trainer would not be allowed to enter the water until he or she had formed a strong relationship with the killer whales. Trainers have been told about signs they should look for to predict when an animal is about to become aggressive. They have also been warned about which whales they should never enter the water with. Following Dawn Brancheau's tragic death, SeaWorld has been revising their safety protocols and they have invested millions of dollars in new safety equipment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) should not have any right to keep SeaWorld trainers from re-entering the water with killer whales. Interacting with these animals in the water, referred to as waterwork, helps to keep them stimulated, and it strengthens the relationship between killer whale and trainer. This bond allows trainers to work closely with the whales and take care of them. Also, some husbandry examinations require trainers and vetrinarians to have close contact with the killer whales in order to maintain their health. Ever since OSHA fined them, all close contact has been impossible. In October 2010, a killer whale named Kalina died of a bacterial infection. If OSHA had not interfered, trainers and vets would have been able to detect her condition earlier, and they would have had more time to act, which could have saved her.
Dawn Brancheau died doing what she loved, and although her death is a serious matter, people like David Kirby should not use it to make a profit. SeaWorld has worked hard to promote conservation, and educate people about the animals that inhabit our oceans.
For all of these reasons, we ask that you do not promote or sell Death at SeaWorld.
Thank you for your time.
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