Image: Los Angeles Times


BY JESSICA GOODWIN

Five killer whales are suing SeaWorld- that is, with a little help from their friends at PETA. PETA believes the Orcas- who perform at various SeaWorld parks, are being held as slaves in violation of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The case is certainly making waves-- It’s the first time the 13th Amendment has been argued on behalf non-humans. The filing seeks to have the whales released to their natural habitats or seaside sanctuaries.
PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk lays out her argument for why SeaWorld’s Killer Whales should be classified as slaves, saying...

"All five of these orcas were violently seized from the ocean and taken from their families as babies. They are denied freedom and everything else that is natural and important to them while kept in small concrete tanks and reduced to performing stupid tricks, the 13th Amendment prohibits slavery, and these orcas are, by definition, slaves."

PETA members are not the only ones who believe their case is ethically sound.  
The New American reports a Harvard Law professor considers the lawsuit to be a promising catalyst for a national discussion on animal rights; he writes-

“People may well look back at this lawsuit and see in it a perceptive glimpse into a future of greater compassion for species other than our own."

The case has sparked a flood of controversy. According to the Telegraph, SeaWorld San Diego shot back with its own statement- declaring PETA’s efforts to-

"..Extend the Thirteenth Amendment's solemn protections beyond human beings is baseless and in many ways offensive."

A former SeaWorld employee is also baffled by PETA’s case. He says SeaWorld takes terrific care of all their animals. Speaking to CNN, he says it’s a slippery slope.

“What’s next? If animals have the same rights as people- if a killer whale kills a seal in the wild are we going to bring them up on murder charges?”

But beyond the nature of the suit, The San Diego Union-Tribune wonders how this makes things better for the whales.

“Most people will think PETA’s filing a federal lawsuit saying the orcas are tantamount to slaves is silly. Will these efforts help in such areas as improving conditions at crowded factory farms?

But The Colbert Report seems to think that the orcas are having a whale of a time- jokingly commenting, “How many slaves get to spend all day at a waterpark?” He goes on to take a sarcastic swipe at SeaWorld.

“Whales aren’t people. No court will say otherwise- however corporations like SeaWorld are people. Supreme Court says so, and as people- we have to treat corporations with care and respect and not cage them with the ethical treatment of animals. We must let SeaWorld live they way God intended a marine amusement park complex to live in its natural state.”