I have been a long time Southwest advocate as a consumer and for the past several years also as a travel consultant.
In my younger years, I dreamed of being a Shamu trainer at Sea World and went to college a few years towards that goal. Life took turns which diverted my goal, but I was a HUGE Sea World fan. I went any chance I could to see the marine mammal shows.
Fast forward to 2005 and 2006 when my travels took me to Kaikoura New Zealand and Vancouver Island. In Kaikoura, I swam with wild dolphins with Dolphin Encounter. No touching, riding, kissing the dolphins. Swim in the wild open water, talk to via your snorkel, interact with eyes and viewing only - best day of my life and began my realization that captive swim with dolphins programs are cruel and inhumane. Have you read Ric O'Barry's book Behind the Dolphin Smile?
In 2006, I spent 4 days whale watching and kayaking around the Inside Passage with pods of orca in the wild. Again strictly observing - no swimming, touching, interfering with their feeding and transit in the area. Babies were tail slapping, adults were spy hopping and breaching. One day was a super pod day with several resident pods in the same area - incredible. I learned so much about these amazing animals and how terribly cruel and inhumane it is to have these giant beautiful animals in tiny tanks, eating dead fish, with unnatural encounters and forced tricks for human entertainment and corporate profit. I honestly believe that Southwest believes in treating people and the community better.
Since 2006, I have never returned nor want to return to Sea World. Trade show events have been held at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and Vancouver Aquarium. I can not help but cry seeing dolphins and beluga whales in tanks even at these aquariums which are far more conservation and rescue focused than Sea World.
Please educate yourselves. See these animals in their natural environment with their real families. Read books, watch documentaries such as Lolita Slave to Entertainment, The Cove, and Blackfish.
I am so fortunate that my life turned away from a career at Sea World, or I could easily have ended up like heroes such as Samantha Berg, Dean Gomersall, and more who used to work at Sea World and are trying to pay forward their education in the way animals are treated.
With the personalities of Southwest staff, 2 bags free, and a wide selection of non stop flights between cities I visit, I am very sad to no longer want to do business with your air carrier or book clients on your airline and with your vacation packages due to this announcement that you support corporate profit of Sea World over the treatment of the animals.
Majority of the animals were kidnapped from their families, against their will, to be slaves for corporate profits and human entertainment. This is not right.
For social issues, your company appears liberal being LGBT friendly and supporting Gay Pride events. Be the bigger business by changing your position and being on the right side of history by speaking out for the rights of the captive animals who deserve to be free to live in the wild in nature with their families.
I know your airline is capable of far better than your position in this blog post, but until I see a reverse on this course of action, I will not support your business.
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