This weekend, Magnolia Pictures’ Blackfish documentary opens. The filmmakers seek to answer questions about the 2010 death of a trainer at SeaWorld and criticizes the theme park for keeping killer whales in captivity. The park has responded to the claims, calling the documentary ‘inaccurate and misleading.’
Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite told ABC News, “There is no documented case of a killer whale ever killing anybody in the wild. It's only in captivity where these incidents have happened.” Her film traces SeaWorld’s history, including the capture of killer whales and leads up to the tragic death of trainer Dawn Brancheau at the Orlando theme park. She was considered one of the most talented trailers at the park and there are still unanswered questions about why the whale attacked.
In a statement to ABC News, SeaWorld responded to Blackfish’s claims. “Instead of a fair and balanced treatment of a complex subject, the film is inaccurate and misleading and, regrettably, exploits a tragedy that remains a source of deep pain for Dawn Brancheau's family, friends and colleagues,” the statement read.
SeaWorld said that it is a respected institution and important for society. “SeaWorld is one of the world's most respected zoological institutions, that SeaWorld rescues, rehabilitates and returns to the wild hundreds of wild animals every year, and that SeaWorld commits millions of dollars annually to conservation and scientific research.”
According to Variety, SeaWorld representatives declined to be interviewed for the documentary.
The shark that killed Brancheau, Tilikum, has been linked to three of the four reported deaths involving killer whales. The federal agency OSHA investigated SeaWorld and required the park to have barriers between killer whales and trainers, but SeaWorld appealed that decision. Tilikum is still performing in Orlando.
Blackfish opens in New York and Los Angeles today.
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