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Orcas during a show at the Shamu Up Close attraction at SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 7, 2014.
ORLANDO, Fla.Killer whales in SeaWorld parks die early. But killer whales in the wild live as long as humans. At least, this is what an activist claims in the middle of Blacksh, the popular, and critical, documentary about SeaWorlds killer whale program. The claim isnt challenged in the lm. It is used to convince the audience that killer whales, or orcas, suer when forced to live in man-made pools. Yet SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. says its killer whales have life spans similar to those of wild orcas. The company says it provides a healthy and stimulating home for the 29 orcas it owns at four marine parks. Its captive collection is the largest on the planet. The truth is not nearly as simple as either side claims. The fact is that scientists dont know for sure how long killer whales live.
both sides of only choosing research that helps their own argument. Both sides skew the numbers, said John Hargrove, a former SeaWorld killer whale trainer. He said he wants to see an end to orcas in marine parks. But he is also critical of what he calls the loud fringe of animal rights groups. This is a debate, but you have to debate with facts, added Hargrove. He appears on screen in Blacksh. Researchers have studied only a small percentage of the worlds wild killer whales. That is one of the biggest diculties in understanding the whales life spans. Only a handful of populations in the northeastern Pacic Ocean have been observed by scientists long enough to reach strong conclusions. Killer whales are found around the globe, from Iceland to Sri Lanka to Antarctica. There are at least nine genetically distinct ecotypes, said Brad Hanson. He is a Seattle scientist with the National Marine Fisheries Service. In other words, salmon-eating orcas in the Pacic Northwest might have dierent lifespans than mammal-eating orcas in the Antarctic Ocean, also called the Southern Ocean.
Quiz
1. What motive did the makers of the movie Blacksh probably have? (a) to convince the audience that SeaWorld needs more scientists (b) to persuade the audience that SeaWorld has too many killer whales (c) to persuade viewers that SeaWorld isnt the best place for killer whales (d) to convince viewers that SeaWorld is not as nice as the Pacic Northwest 2. What, according to the article, is one of the most signicant roadblocks to understanding how long whales live? (a) Movies like Blacksh focus on only one side of the debate. (b) SeaWorlds whales are far younger than the oldest wild killer whales. (c) Experts have only looked at a little of the total amount of the planets wild orcas. (d) SeaWorld is an entertainment company, and researchers work for animal rights groups. 3. Select the paragraph from the rst section that has another word for a killer whale? 4. Read the following paragraph. Both sides skew the numbers, said John Hargrove, a former SeaWorld killer whale trainer. He said he wants to see an end to orcas in marine parks. But he is also critical of what he calls the loud fringe of animal rights groups. What is the best meaning of fringe as used in the paragraph above? (a) a section of a group with loud voices (b) a section of a group with extreme views (c) a section of a group that does not follow rules (d) a section of a group that cares most about ocean animals
Answer Key
1. What motive did the makers of the movie Blacksh probably have? (a) to convince the audience that SeaWorld needs more scientists (b) to persuade the audience that SeaWorld has too many killer whales (c) to persuade viewers that SeaWorld isnt the best place for killer whales (d) to convince viewers that SeaWorld is not as nice as the Pacic Northwest 2. What, according to the article, is one of the most signicant roadblocks to understanding how long whales live? (a) Movies like Blacksh focus on only one side of the debate. (b) SeaWorlds whales are far younger than the oldest wild killer whales. (c) Experts have only looked at a little of the total amount of the planets wild orcas. (d) SeaWorld is an entertainment company, and researchers work for animal rights groups. 3. Select the paragraph from the rst section that has another word for a killer whale? 2 The claim isnt challenged in the lm. It is used to convince the audience that killer whales, or orcas, suer when forced to live in man-made pools. 4. Read the following paragraph. Both sides skew the numbers, said John Hargrove, a former SeaWorld killer whale trainer. He said he wants to see an end to orcas in marine parks. But he is also critical of what he calls the loud fringe of animal rights groups. What is the best meaning of fringe as used in the paragraph above? (a) a section of a group with loud voices (b) a section of a group with extreme views (c) a section of a group that does not follow rules (d) a section of a group that cares most about ocean animals