Sydney Branning

Adam Padgett
ENGL 102
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Annotated Bibliography
Inquiry: Are Orcas too intellectually advanced to be confided in man-made enclosures, and if so
is it ethically wrong to confine these creatures considering new scientific evidence?
Proposed thesis: Considering new scientific evidence and advancements in our understanding of
Orcas, it is morally wrong to confine this species to captivity
"Captivity." WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society,
2015. Web. 15 Feb. 2016. <http://us.whales.org/wdc-in-action/captivity>.
This article written by a non-profit organization aimed at informing the public about
dolphins and whales highlights the main reasons why captivity is wrong. The central
claim is that whales and dolphins are highly intelligent creatures who cannot behave
naturally when in confinement. This article sites the major evidence behind their
statistical claims, and scientific information. It can be deemed a credible source, but it is
important to note the bias the author behind this article has. This article is clearly written
for an organization that favors the betterment of treatment of whales and dolphins, so its
hardly a surprise that they are anti-captivity. WDCs core belief is that all whales and
dolphins have the right to exist as nature intends, not as humans decide. With
that knowledge, it is unjust to write off this as an incredible source. It doesnt tarnish the
true information given, but as a researcher its important to know that the facts they
present could possibly be one-sided and further research is needed to understand the
subject entirely. This source is suitable for my project. It gives really good information on

the life of a captive Orca and provides a lot of evidence that can be used to make a strong,
logical argument for my paper.

Grimm, David. "Are Dolphins Too Smart for Captivity?" Published by AAAS SOCIETY/CORBIS
Are Dolphins Too (n.d.): n. pag. Www.sciencemag.org. AAAS, 29 Apr. 2011. Web. 07
Feb. 2016.
The central claim in this article published by the American Association for the
Advancement of Science is an argument depicting both sides of the captivity
dilemma. This article is written about dolphins as a whole, which include the misnamed
killer whale, which is in fact the largest dolphin and not a whale It states facts about
the dangers and detrimental affects of captivity on orca whales including an
interesting fact on mortality, numbers for orca whales are even more dramatic: 6.2% to
7% mortality rates in captivity versus 2.3% in the wild. This article written in 2011 for
Science Magazine can be deemed a credible source. Its important to note that the main
purpose behind the article is to sell copies of the magazine, but I believe this article to be
a credible source thats information matches widely with the scientific community and
other sources I have verified with, and the author did an excellent job at remaining
impassive and arguing both sides.. ScienceMag shined an interesting light on my
argument by examining both sides of the captivity argument. Many claim that the
research being done to the marine mammals in captivity can be lifesaving and taking this
away would be harmful to the wild species. I think this is important to address in my
paper, and rebutting this with information given to me from this and other sources will be
a pivotal standpoint in my argument. This article sites the scientist conducting the

research, their findings, and an analysis of this from both pro-captivity and anti-captivity
stand points. Its pertinent to my argument because it displays the level of intelligence that
has been founded in dolphins such as tool use and cultural traditions, which goes handin-hand with my argument that captivity in itself isnt inherently evil, but it is morally
wrong when the captive creature at hand possesses a level of intelligence that would
make captivity unsuitable, unbearably boring and unfulfilling, and a painful experience.

Marine Animal Exhibits: Chlorinated Prisons. PETA N.p, n.d. Web. 7 Feb 2016
The central claim for this article is that marine exhibits are unsuitable conditions for
Orcas. I was originally wary to use PETA as a source because of their extremist views on
animal rights, but the article presents useful facts for my argument. It highlights the main
claim of my paper that zoos and parks are part of an industry built on the mistreatment
and suffering of social, intelligent beings who are denied everything natural and valued to
them. It focuses in on families that have been torn apart which plays a critical part in
making this argument one of morals and ethics. It also adds to the moral dilemma of this
question by furthering the point that these animals must adapt to an alien world that is
unnatural and uninviting. The main reason that I chose to use this article in my research is
its statically stated facts about the consequences of captivity. It demonstrates the
shortened life spans faced by Orcas in captivity, and the health problems that they are
prone to. I believe that using these numbers, along side other factual information presents
a strong argument.
This source is credible, it directly references where they got the information and facts, but
it is also important to identify their reason to write this piece of literature. They are a non-

profit organization dedicated to treating animals ethically, but by doing so they can
appear to have more of a biased agenda rather than just presenting facts. I believe this
article does a good job in remaining mainly factual and not one-sided, though the same
cannot always be said for other articles published by PETA. I believe their name tarnishes
their work sometimes, but as a researcher Ive concluded that this presents a factual
argument, not un-credible information deemed to force the reader into their one-sided
belief on a particular argument.

Markwell, Kevin. "Chapter 8: Killer Whales, Theme Parks and Controversy: An Exploration of
the Evidence." Animals and Tourism: Understanding Diverse Relationships Front Cover.
N.p.: Channel View Publications, 2015. 128-145. Print.

In Kevin Markwells book Chapter 8, pages 128-145 explore the controversy behind
theme parks and killer whales aka. Orcas. Markwell chapter on Orcas does exactly what
the title suggests: explores the evidence. Markwell goes into depth about certain statistics
and policies regarding Orcas in captivity. This book can be deemed extremely credible, it
lists every source of the evidence, statistics, quotes, and facts provided. Markwell gives
valuable information about the health problems faced by orcas in captivity such as
mosquitos that would never infect an orca in their natural habitat. Markwell did an
amplitude of research into this subject, with sources that are as recent as possible, as well
as documents that are obscure and dated. I believe this source is valuable to my topic
because Markwell presents an interesting side to the argument. His book is originally
written about the economics of theme parks and understanding animals and tourisms
relationships, so this chapter isnt written from a strong activist of animal rights like

many of my other sources. Markwells analysis of the evidence presented from procaptivity and anti-captivity groups displays a mastery of the subject and a deep
understanding that comes from countless amounts of research.

Mooney, Jerye. "Captive Cetaceans: A Handbook for Campaigners." Captive Cetaceans: A

Handbook for Campaigners (n.d.): n. pag. Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society, Mar.
1998. Web.
The main claim of this handbook is that captivity is morally wrong for cetaceans
(dolphins and whales). The main point of this document is to create a well researched and
credited guide so people can use this information and spread it to let others know that
captivity for marine mammals is wrongful, which is the sole purpose behind my research
paper: gather information, present facts, make an argument. It highlights that confining
cetaceans (dolphins) is different than terrestrial species because of our inability to
provide appropriate conditions to accommodate the physiological, social and
environmental needs of a wholly aquatic species This handbook written by the Whale
and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) lists various reasons captivity is wrong, then
goes into great depth to provide why that is. This document, though lengthy, has such
valued information in it. It contains organized and factual information with sources about
the key points to my argument that Orca captivity is wrong. This article can be deemed
credible because it sites sources, doesnt give misinformation, and was written to create
awareness, and describes this with a powerful quote, Facts presented with conviction
will create awareness, awareness leads to informed questioning, and questioning leads to
commitment to act.. The authors and editors behind this document are well informed on
this subject and offer professional opinions on captivity.

Rose, N. A. 2014. Killer Controversy: Why Orcas Should No Longer Be Kept in Captivity.
Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, D.C. 16 pp.
This documents main claim is that Orcas should no longer be kept in captivity due to a
slew of reasons that all individually make a case, but when combined flood the reader
with an overwhelming sense that captivity for Orcas is wrongful. This document was
prepared by Naomi Rose who holds a Ph.D and is an avid researcher in marine mammals.
This source can be deemed credible in its information and statistics stated, it gives the
source of the original information presented. The bias of this author is minimally
displayed in this academic text but its important to note that this was published for an
organization that widely favors animal rights, so it is to no surprise that they are on the
side that favors the Orcas well-being. The author does an excellent job of not just stating
her opinion on the subject, but by giving facts, presenting the argument and allowing the
reader to make an informed decision on the subject. She plays into not just the emotional
side of the reader but also fear. She uses an interesting technique by showing that not
only is captivity wrong for the Orcas by using pathos, it is also dangerous to the handlers
and trainers of the Orcas. She presents the many instances that have resulted in the loss of
human life due to Orcas being in captivity-all while not painting the Orca to be a ruthless
killer we should fear, but rather a creature so frustrated and unhappy it lashes out at those
in contact with it. This technique uses logos, or logic, to compel the reader to truly think
about captivity for not just Orcas, but also humans safety.