Last night, CNN Films aired Blackfish, and gave the issue of killer whales in captivity extraordinary exposure. (If you missed it, CNN will re-broadcast Blackfish this Sunday at 9 pm EST).
As part of the lead-up I appeared on Crossfire, with hosts Van Jones and Newt Gingrich. Across the table, taking the opposing view of killer whales in captivity, was Grey Stafford, Director of Conservation at the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium.
You can watch part of the discussion here (it was a tough night for Stafford, I think; not even Newt Gingrich believes SeaWorld’s killer whale program is on the right track):
During the CNN broadcast, CNN assembled a great team to tweet live during the broadcast. Sadly, due to some sort of technical glitch my prolific effort to add background details to the film somehow never made it onto the Live Blog. But it’s worth checking out anyhow! And I think they will do it again during the re-broadcast of Blackfish on Sunday.
Overall, I was amazed and impressed by how many people CNN managed to engage in the issues and in the film. Yet another humbling lesson for a writer in the power of the visual medium!
The Earthist Chronicles 
As a child, my Mother refused to allow us to have a bird as a pet. She said, “Animals deserve to be free.”
What a wonderful globe this would be if we had people save money to visit a country where they could see the animals in the wild ! The economies of those countries would be enhanced and we would be able to explore different cultures we share our money with.
How were these men raised at home, what kind of parents did they have….. to believe their “greatness” is defined as the “Slave- holders” of wild animals who are denied all rights of a natural habitat?
SICK CEO’s and their awful parents. Sorry to be honest…..
Tim, Don’t ever give up. Stand firm in knowing you are doing the right thing! How can I help you? What do you suggest we, as individuals , can do to influence laws to return Tillicum and all these enslaved bathtub survivors back into their natural surroundings?
I am an influential person using words as my tool.
If I can help you in any way, please send me an email. My address is near Seattle.
Jesus will bless you in all ways as we ask Him to give us wisdom. I am not religious but my life took wonderful directions when I learned how I could use my gifts God gave me.
Anne ~
I worked for Sea World in Aurora Ohio in 1995. Why was this Ohio Sea World not mentioned in the documentary once? They were open from 1970-2000, was there not one recorded incident in 30 yrs?
Great interview. It’s a shame that SeaWorld wouldn’t come down from their ivory tower to participate. They will learn that the base of that ivory tower – performing orcas – is being eroded every time that Blackfish is seen around the world.