Brief Summary Of The Documentary 'Blackfish' By Georgia Mason

Zoos have long been a popular attraction, but concerns about the welfare of animals and ethical practices have led to a growing debate over their continued existence. The concern surrounding the ethics of zoos and animal welfare has continually been rising despite being considered a popular pastime. This can be elucidated through two sources that I will utilize “Blackfish” a documentary, and Georgia Mason’s article on species differences in response to captivity stress in 2010. People’s changing perspective can be attributed to a plethora of factors.

Zoos, also called zoological garden or zoological park, place where animals and, in some instances, domesticated animals are exhibited in captivity. In such an establishment animal can generally

According to Mason, "virtual zoos could provide a way to engage people with animals and their habitats without harming the animals themselves" Mason (2010). In addition to these alternatives, Mason also highlights the importance of improving animal welfare within traditional zoos through the implementation of better management practices and the development of enrichment programs that provide animals with mental and physical stimulation.

Overall, Mason suggests that there are a variety of potential solutions and alternatives to traditional zoos that could address concerns about animal welfare and ethics. These alternatives range from the development of naturalistic enclosures to the use of virtual reality technology, and could provide a way to engage people with animals and their habitats without harming the animals

The film has been widely credited with contributing to a decline in attendance at SeaWorld parks and with increasing public pressure on the industry to improve animal welfare standards. According to Lori Weisberg “In the year after the film’s debut, attendance at the park fell 17 percent, from 4,554,774 in 2013 to 3,773,288 in 2014, SeaWorld reported.” In 2016, SeaWorld announced that it would end its orca breeding program and phase out its theatrical killer whale shows, citing public pressure and evolving societal attitudes towards the use of animals for entertainment purposes. The documentary "Blackfish" has had a significant impact on public concern about the welfare of animals in captivity, and has contributed to a broader debate about the ethics of using animals for entertainment purposes in zoos and