SeaWorld Trainer Speaks Out: ‘Beneath The Surface’ Tells Tale Of A Terrible SeaWorld, Mistreated Orca Whales
A former SeaWorld trainer speaks out after leaving the company, and he wants the world to know his truth. According to NewsMax, John Hargrove released a new book called Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond “Blackfish.” In the book, he talks about his time as a trainer, and how he came to realize that Orcas shouldn’t be in captivity. He also talks about the mistreatment of these majestic mammals, and just how terrible he feels his former employer is.
“As I became higher-ranked, I saw the devastating effects of captivity on these whales and it just really became a moral and ethical issue. When you first start to see it, you first try to say, ‘OK, well, I love these animals; I’m going to take care of them.’… You think, ‘I can change things.’ And then all these things, of course, never improve and then you start… seeing mothers separated from their calves; you start seeing trainers being killed, and then they blame [the trainers] for their own deaths,” Hargrove said in an interview with NPR.
The SeaWorld trainer who is speaking out says that he wants to help the whales in any way that he can. Since he couldn’t change things while he was employed by SeaWorld, he feels as though telling his story will do a greater good — and that’s what he plans on doing.
According to People Magazine, Hargrove has spoken out about SeaWorld in the past, too. He was actually a part of Blackfish, along with six other former SeaWorld trainers. He talked about the death of Dawn Brancheau, who was killed when an Orca grabbed her by the hair, and dragged her underwater in his tank.
Hargrove and the others also discussed the company’s “inhumane practices,” which have since deterred thousands of people from paying park admission. After seeing Blackfish, people have promised to boycott SeaWorld, and they hope that the company stops keeping killer whales in swimming pools.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Hargrove does not believe that SeaWorld cares for these whales. He has accused the company of being cult-like, and he says that employees who want to leave are often threatened, which is why Hargrove says he stayed for so long. After his friend Dawn was killed, however, he knew that he had to get away.
Hargrove says that SeaWorld is having a hard time keeping their heads above water, thanks perhaps in part to his efforts, and the efforts of those who took part in the Blackfish documentary.
“Despite what SeaWorld says they are definitely not thriving, and they’re not even surviving.”
Have you seen Blackfish? Would you be interested in reading Hargrove’s book? Have you been to SeaWorld? Would you go to SeaWorld now?
[Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images]
