It’s almost surreal to think that Sea World will be discontinuing their killer whale show in California. It’s quite possible that this will follow in other states, eventually culminating in the end of the epic killer whale performance. I grew up in Sea World’s golden age. About four hours from where I live in Maryland, Sea World had a park at Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio. As a kid, my family and I visited it several times and I remember pressuring my parents to buy me a host of Shamu memorabilia. At Sea World we pet dolphins, watched killer whales perform incredible tricks and were immersed in the amazing world of Earth’s oceans. In 2001 the cost of operating the park, compiled with the fact that for most of the year the park was closed to visitors, led to Sea World selling its Ohio location to six flags. The marine animals were shipped off to other Sea World locations, and today the park is roller coasters and water slides. The reality is that the world has changed. How we perceive wildlife and captive animals has changed. 25 years ago the public was wowed by killer whales jumping, spinning and seemingly dancing with trainers. Today there is a body count of Sea World trainers, and serious questions have been raised about the ethical implications of placing intelligent marine life in closed quarters. Experiencing Mother Nature has changed as well. Automated drones can fly over vast distances, capturing ultra-high definition footage of wild places previously inaccessible to mankind. The ability to remotely pilot vehicles greatly reduces the risk of human injury and ensures that watching wildlife does nothing to disturb a natural balance. Anyone who follows the technology behind drones is aware that the consumer drone market is beginning to advance into the underwater realm. Already consumer drone submarines are available, equipped with high definition video cameras, built for the sole purpose of exploring and filming the deep.
Three of the orcas demonstrate a trick near the end of the show. This trick is actually meant to show how killer whales can jump on on ice edges to catch their prey.
No longer will tens of thousands of dollars of scuba gear, a highly trained dive team, decompression chambers and enriched gas be needed to film underwater. Within the next 10 years, it’s highly likely that for a few hundred dollars consumers can purchase a drone that offers ample time underwater, and streams live footage of the deep sea realm right to an iPad or iPhone.… More:
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