Free Tilikum

It makes me sad when I see 'Free Tilikum' posted everywhere.

Before people start over reacting, because I understand this is a sensitive topic for some people, I just want to state that this is not an opinion on captivity. Because I'm confident people can't resist themselves, comments will be disabled.
Opening comments because it's just making people comment on my front page anyway. I knew people couldn't help themselves  
So I will encourage conversation. But any rude/insulting/stupid comments will be removed. Any "Well he shouldn't be in captivity in the first place D: < " or similar, will also be removed. It does not change the facts.

I feel that most people genuinely don't understand all the facts and think the answer is simple and straight forward: Free Tilikum. How can this be wrong? Isn't it logical?

Unfortunately, regarding Tilikum (as well as 13 other orcas in SeaWorlds current collection), freedom = Death.

So what does it ultimately come down to? What truly makes Tilikum non-releasable?

Teeth.

When an orcas tooth is fractured, it exposes a soft pulp which can become a focus for infection. To prevent infection, SeaWorld perform a pulpotomy in which they drill a hole into the tooth to remove the soft tissue. [1]

Once a tooth is drilled, it must be 'flushed out' multiple times a day with antiseptic solution to manage local and systematic infection. Without ongoing human intervention, these animals will likely die from infection.[2]

SeaWorld’s vice president of veterinary services, Dr. Chris Dold confirmed in 2011, 14 of 20 orcas at SeaWorld (at the time) require antiseptic flushes of their drilled teeth. [3] [3a]


If you have watched the film 'Blackfish', you would be aware of Jeff Ventre and John Jett. They have both publicly agreed that releasing Tilikum (and every other orca who has teeth drilled) is not an option, because of the likeliness of them dying without ongoing human intervention. [4] [4a]
Even orca researcher Ingrid Visser has stated on her website that once pulp is exposed, it must be drilled to prevent sepsis and death. [5]

So, regardless of if you think Tilikum should stay where he is, or be retired in a seapen, we can all agree that 'freedom' would ultimately be a death sentence and is not an option.

All of these orcas have drilled teeth:
SW Florida:
Tilikum. Kayla. Nalani. Malia. Makaio.

SW California:
Orkid. Nakai. Keet. Ikaika. Shouka.

SW Texas:
Unna. Tuar.

Loro Parque.
Skyla. Keto. Tekoa.

Reference
[1] timzimmermann.com/2011/01/24/t…

[2] www.decodedscience.com/damaged…

[3] theorcaproject.wordpress.com/2…
articles.orlandosentinel.com/2…

[4] www.decodedscience.com/damaged…


[5] www.freemorgan.org/