Heroes of Science volume 2 | Page 14

Black Fish

Black fish is a documentary on Orcinus Orcas, or Killer whales. Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity. It also sheds light on the loving, emotional good moments with the whale

Good points:

-The documentary addresses a woman, Dawn Branchaeu, one of their best trainers, and explains Tilikum killed her

-Shows the orcas’ intelligence of humans capturing whales. The mothers and children would split up from the group, while the others led the humans away

-Shows the adult whales grief and communication while the babies are being herded

-Shows how Tilikum was abused, and suggests that Tilikum was on a short fuse. Tilikum then, kills a young trainer Kelty Burn

-Shows their diverse communication, and the fact that orcas have a special part of their brain for emotions

-Explains how media lied about orca life spans. Saying that they lived 25 years in captivity was longer than living in nature, was a lie. Fact is they live up to a 100 years in the wild

Bad points:

-Does not show EXACT footage of the capture of Tilikum and the affect on his family

-Does not show ALL the information of a killer whale