Captive orcas definitely need more space than they have, as there are multiple issues that their current tanks have which could be harming their mental and physical health. But, as sea pens might interfere with the environment, and would put the orcas at risk from pollutants such as oil and radiation, other choices must be considered for them.Unfortunately, the current options are limited for Orcas living in captive environments. This petition is a proposal for an orca sanctuary outside of seaworld. Seeing as the creation of an ethical sanctuary for orcas is a very complicated solution, no solution is flawless and none have absolutely no downsides when it comes to safety, the environment or pollution. So, here is the solution which would definitely help the orcas exponentially and hopefully has less flaws than most plans. This solution would be to build a giant (kilometer long), saltwater lake in New Castle County, Delaware that would replicate the wild and make the orcas feel a little less claustrophobic. As you probably need more information on this project before making a decision to sign, here is a general overview of the proposal for you, and to all of the people being petitioned for this petition:

I know that the blue world project might have failed and that PETA and seaworld do seem to not want to compromise, but hopefully with this proposal they will both finally realize that the best way to help the orcas is a compromise.In my opinion, the best compromise would be the one to give the orcas the least stress as possible, and what would be a better choice to help the orcas than to create, huge, ocean like saltwater man made lakes, which would shield them from pollution while giving them the same space as sea pen. So, here is my plan to make this choice as realistic and ethical as possible:

 

Main plan overview:To build such a sanctuary, around 417 acres of land in Newcastle County Delaware or would have to be bought to create a sanctuary for Orcas. On this land, the sanctuary would be a string of man made saltwater lakes to increase comfort for the cetaceans. But, to allow for this sanctuary to be more cost effective, these lakes would be made an an existing valley on former farmland which would be expanded in all directions. To allow for acclimation to a larger environment for new arrivals a 600 by 500 by 60 (deepest point) foot lake would be built for animals newly brought from places such as Seaworld, and in this lake the whales would get used to the water quality and food of the sanctuary . After an animal seems ready to move on, they would be introduced to an enormous lake which would have two sections connected by a 140 foot wide connector (making the lake similarly shaped to the number 8). The two sections would be  a seriously enormous 3300 by 3300 by 100 foot section, which would be directly connected via the connector to a smaller but still large 1700 by 1400 by 75 foot section. To allow privacy for the orcas, there would be another inlet that would be 70 feet wide, 100 feet long and 36 feet deep that would reach a smaller lake (the orcas would probably use it as a nursery) which would be 800 by 600 by 60 feet long. Also, to keep animals safe from winter weather, a 350 by 170 by 50 foot indoor extension-lagoon of the 800 by 600 foot lake would be made in a large, gimnasium like building, with heaters to keep the whales healthy. To treat sick whales, a recovery lake which would be about 270 by 150 by 50 feet long would be made to allow sick whales to recover and a 60 by 40 by 20 foot medical lake would be made directly behind the recovery lake, as a place to put whales when they are being given medication. The recovery lake would be accessible from the acclimation tank and to the large main sanctuary. All lakes would be made naturalistic, yet would be filtered through a filtering center to keep the orcas healthy. Overall, the lakes would take up a whopping 324.42 acres, which would be a huge upgrade from the 1.15, 1.27 and 1.176 acres of the three Seaworld parks respectively (In order from Seaworld Orlando to Seaworld San Antonio, also unlike these lakes the whales in the parks don’t entirely have free reign over the entire orca tank), The 0.1 acres of the Miami Seaquarium, and the 0.5 acres of Marineland Antibes. Also, this facility would include other, unrelated things including a nature center housing rescued local animals, marine or not with a largest exhibit of around 16,000 gallons, a 42 acre parchment of fields with relocated hedgerows and forest, streaked by paths, a stream/canal that would be dug to branch off a local river or stream, a small wetland and an absolutely huge filtration center that would filter water using ways natural and not.

On the issue of the environment/what to do before construction: Before the construction of the sanctuary, we would first need to find a suitable farm in New Castle County, Delaware of about 415 acres, yet could be smaller or larger acre wise depending on the length and width of the farm in question. Or, several adjacent properties could be bought that together would add up to 415 or more acres. Preferably this farm (or farms) would be near a local stream or have one running through it and would be close to the Delaware River. To start this off, here is a list of potential farms that could be bought for this cause: http://www.loopnet.com/for-sale/newcastle-ok/multiple-property-types/?sk=f927ef3682a89c164173e71f7bbeeecc&e=u

. But, before development, we will seek approval of the county for this project, and will gain all permits necessary for this project.Then, when the location is found and  bought, we would find an approximately 47 acre portion of the farm to leave off, preferably already made up of forest and hedgerows and this area would be set aside for a while of any developments.But, to allow for money to be made, a parcel of land which would have a side 10 acres would be set aside for a future hotel (which would not be owned by the sanctuary). Just after buying, workers would ransack the barn and the silos, and all belongings and parts left behind would either be sold, or repurposed to be used for the sanctuary. If any animals remain, or if any silos still have grain, they would be sold, with animals being sold to (farm animal) sanctuaries, and grain being sold to grocery stores.  Also, an area of the farm would be determined to become the location of the lakes,the parking lot, the nature center and the cleaning plant. Then, the remainder of the property would be checked for animals, and all animals found in an area which would be determined to become the lakes, the parking lot, the nature center or the cleaning plant would be relocated the the 47 acres set aside in the name of protecting the ecosystem there and making sure that animals aren’t at risk, and all hedgerows, wild grasses and trees would be relocated to the 47 acres set aside.After this only crops would remain on these lands not set aside. Also, all crops in the area set aside would be sold to grocery stores, to allow for a more natural setting to happen within the 47 acres. Then, the area set to be bulldozed to create the sanctuary (the areas determined to become the nature center,the parking lot, the lakes and the water cleaning facility) would be fenced off with temporary fences from other parts of the property to prevent animals from entering these areas. After being fenced off, the areas set to be developed would be completely cleared of crops, with all crops being sold to grocery stores to help fund the sanctuary.

After the bulldozing, the lands would be ready to be developed.

 

Developing the land/creating the sanctuary: Once the land for the lakes,parking lot, cleaning facility and nature center would be stripped bare of plants, the actual construction would begin. The Nature center would be built partly above and partly underground, with lots of space for rescued animals, and several classrooms and offices on the top floor and the parking lot would be built to be made of two layers, three underground and one above. An elevator would be made to bring people back to the first floor. Each level of the parking lot would have an acreage of 15 acres, meaning that even though only 15 acres of the landscape was being used, 60 acres worth of parking space would be crammed into that area. But these two would just be the easier parts. To allow for the filtering facility to have a constant supply of water, a canal coming from a stream or river on or near the property would be diverted towards and through the 47 acres set aside for wilderness, and within those acres, and yet very close to the area which would be determined to become the filtering station an approximately 5 acre wetland would be created, complete with plants from local wetlands and a deepest water depth of 10 feet deep. After this wetland, two canals would be dug from this wetland to the filtering station, which would be around 500 feet away from the wetland. After reaching an area directly next to the filtering machine the two streams would briefly connect, and would enter the plant. But, this wouldn’t be the only water entering the facility, the original plumbing of the people living in the farm would be diverted to this filtration center, and so would the irrigation systems. Also, if possible we could redirect the sewage systems of the surrounding area so that it could enter the filtration center, as even though that may sound gross, the filtration systems of the filtration center could probably handle much worse than the bacteria coming from a sewer. Then, all added water would go through a long filtration system which would involve filtering and decontamination machines, as well as a large vat where machines would add a substance called instant ocean (same substance that the georgia aquarium uses to help with turning water into saltwater. In a way, this would be just like the systems of the georgia aquarium, just at an exponentially bigger scale. The building itself would be a grandiose 6 acres in size, and would be made of miles of pipes and wire, as well as millions of yards of concrete. This filtration system would require hundreds of workers to build and maintain, and would also hold the offices of the leadership of the facility. Once the process was finished, the newly salted water would go out through a pipe which would be higher than the water level, allowing the water to flow in like a waterfall. But, the lakes themselves would be the biggest challenge. But, even though for the deepest depths (60, 75 and 100 feet deep) we might need dynamite to dig that far, as this would be probably made in a valley minimal digging would be done. But, lots of machines would have to be used to build this sanctuary. Also, to protect whales from inclement weather when inclement weather was imminent, the nature center would have a balcony that would reach forward by 500 feet and would be 320 feet wide from a side of the nature center that would face the lake.This balcony would be on the top floor of the nature center, to allow for visitors to have a view of the whole lake. But, on the lowest floor of the Nature center, on the side of the building facing the 3300 by 3300 by 100 foot lake (also same side as the balcony) would be a viewing window. But, unlike most viewing windows, its top would be just a couple inches below the water level, and for practicality reasons, its bottom would be 15 feet below the surface, meaning that more than ⅘ of the depth of the lake would be below the viewing panel. This window would serve to show a good view of the orcas within the sanctuary. To make sure that the orcas are safe during winter, there would be several “heating mounds” made which would basically be disguised strong heaters which would shoot upward jets of hot air to create “breathing holes” to allow for orcas to breath. But, as a final touch, sand,rocks, kelp, and oysters would be added to the bottoms of these lakes to make the feel more naturalistic. Also, with the nature center, every living quarter for rescued animals would be made to look naturalistic. Alongside this, small sandy beaches would border the lakes in some areas. Then, The 10 acre parcel of land set aside would be sold to a hotel company like Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott, so that visitors could more easily come to the sanctuary, to give the sanctuary more profits. Also, the parking lot would be either connected by a small road to an existing road, or would be right next to an existing road to allow for cars to enter. Meanwhile, any land not part of any of the developments would be filled with native flora, and would probably attract local animals to come after the project would be finished. Then, a small medical building would be made next to the medical pool, and its roof would extend to cover this medical lake to keep sick animals away from bad weather. This building would house medical staff and medical equipment to help sick whales. Finally, raised paths would be made to surround the lakes, yet these paths would be made so that people couldn’t enter the lakes, and would stick to the paths. Finally, the canal would be opened to allow water through and the lakes would be filled. The facility would be ready for guests and orcas.

 

Final touches and the opening: After the end of construction, all fences preventing animals and people from entering construction zones would be taken down with the end of construction. Then, All of Seaworld’s orcas would be bought at a high price and would be relocated to the facility. But, in this facility there would be no birth control, as since this would also serve as a backup population just in case the wild orcas died off in some catastrophe. Also, Orcas would be bought from other chains too, Lolita and the orcas of Marineland France (There are laws in Canada not allowing the sale of Orcas, so sadly there will be no way to get Kiska into a sanctuary) are some of the most likely candidates. Also, this facility would accept in rescued local animals, and would probably also rescue animals themselves. Also, this facility would be a non profit facility, and it would be managed by a person like you who is willing to spend their time helping animals, and to manage orcas while keeping them happy. Most employees would be locals who would be willing for a job other than farming. Also, as it would be some time since the 47 acres were set aside, they would be checked for squatters and trespassers. Then, the entire property would be fenced off to keep trespassers out, making the parking lot the only way to enter the sanctuary. But, for opening the name of this sanctuary would be “The Delaware orca sanctuary”. For opening to happen, the parking lot would be opened, and the employees would make last checks on all of the systems. Once open, the sanctuary would be a driving force for the community, and would do things from rescuing Orcas & Local animals, hosting community events and becoming the main economic driver of the local community. 

 

Rescuing animals: Once the facility would be complete and the first orcas brought, the sanctuary would start efforts to rescue orcas and local animals in need. For local animals, they would bring in marine and terrestrial animals from the state that would require rehabilitation. For the terrestrial animals, they would be kept at the nature center until declared fit for release. Once declared fit for release, they would be either released into the 47 acre sized “nature area” if they were from biomes presented within that area (countryside, forest and wetland ecosystems), but if not, they would be released close to where they were found. Marine animals that wouldn’t fit in the nature center (with the nature center’s largest tank being 16,000 gallons), would be either sent to another location if they were freshwater or lived in warmer water temperatures than the lake (which would be at least partly chilled for orcas), but if not they would be outfitted with a tracker and placed into the lakes, and would be recovered once they seemed ready to be released. But non releasable animals would stay their entire lives at the facility, or would be moved to larger locations if they outgrew it (if they were terrestrial or freshwater and were large animals). But, for Orcas, if releasable they would be placed in the same lakes as all of the other orcas at the sanctuary until they would seem ready, and at that time they would be released while if unreleasable they would simply be given a medical check and placed into the sanctuary with the other orcas.

 

 

Orca policy: For this sanctuary, there would be a very “hands off” approach to the Orcas living there. Even when they would have just arrived into the 650 by 500 foot “acclimation lake”, they would simply receive needed check ups, and be taught how to eat live fish by employees. Only if an illness was found would they temporarily move them to the “medical tank” (which in fact would also have a gate allowing for acclimating orcas to enter if needed too. Then, after they orcas seemed ready, they would be introduced to the main 3300 by 3300 by 100 foot lake. Once in the main lake, they would be allowed full access to every lake besides for the recovery lake, the medical lake and the acclimation lake. Also, from then on the only things which the orca in question would get would be enrichment, live fish (albeit indirectly) and medicine (only when needed). Also, at this facility, there would be no birth control for orcas, yet also no artificial insemination, no transfers of orcas from the sanctuary to another location , and absolutely no separation of mothers and calves. Also, even if two orcas are aggressive to one another, there would be no need to forcefully separate them, as because the lakes themselves would take up a space larger than the size of epcot, they would be probably able to simply move away from each other, just as in the wild. Also, no guest or employee would be allowed to touch the orcas unless for medical purposes (meaning that only medical staff would be allowed to touch them), and all acts of cruelty towards the orcas or their space (like throwing rocks at them, yelling at them, beating them, or any other type of physical harm) would end up in either being fired or sent to leave without refund depending if you were an employee or a guest. 

 

On the issue of funding: Because this entire project would take millions of dollars to make, about 307 million to be exact (my basic cost analysis, where I got the number: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MonnxW7azIMjtr51O-yODJwJ6nxr5U6DU5XqhXQfyiY/edit#gid=313129086 we will need to get more creative on the way we earn funding for this. But, the good thing is, that since this would be a farm that we would be buying, there would be lots of things to sell. Everything from the grain within a silo, crops, lamps, Tractors, Farm animals, The machines used to milk cows, any milk remaining, beds (if not taken), bookshelves, any stored food, any bags of soil left behind (like, who brings those with them!), electric wiring, air conditioners, and even the barn and home of the farmer itself could be sold for a good price. Also, we need good sponsors. For instance PETA,ALDF,Care2 ,Greenpeace and Merlin Entertainment all are very wealthy enterprises who would definitely want to see seaworld’s orcas placed into a sanctuary of the like. But, the most effective way to get funding would be to sway lots of independent investors to this cause, as lots of them could easily fund the project. For more information, I have financial charts right here (If you need to know, I did several hours of reaserch to get the numbers, and for some of them I lookes for average numbers, for instance the farm’s price (5% was added to the normal price there), and also the amount of costs to be paid to contractors where I checked the number of payments for 750 construction workers over 5 years. Lastly, For some of them I made educated guesses based on smaller sized versions of them if there were no direct ways to find the exact cost): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MonnxW7azIMjtr51O-yODJwJ6nxr5U6DU5XqhXQfyiY/edit#gid=313129086

 

 

 

To PETA,ALDF, HSUS, Merlin Entertainment and Greenpeace: Look, even though I have been seeming to be a bit of a competitor to your plans of making a sea pen, this idea should be more like an opportunity for you. The reason is, that all I really intend to do, is make a large sanctuary, which would be over 100 times larger than the largest tank at Seaworld, to give the whales happy, wholesome lives for the rest of their days. Isn’t that also exactly what you intend with your designs for a sanctuary? So, my proposition to you is that instead of making rival sanctuaries through this “race to the whales” that’s been basically going on between us, we can all work together. And, as I have the same intentions as you, and plan to make a sanctuary of about the same size, perhaps slightly larger than the one you intend to make, it would be great for all of us, and for the whales if you instead of making sanctuaries that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to maintain, will pay less than that to fund this idea into motion. All I really ask for is for PETA to give a years worth of donations (around 50,000,000 dollars), Greenpeace and Care2 to give small parts of their wealth, and Merlin to pay a sum of 80,000,000 dollars. Also, I ask for HSUS to pay a sum of 90,000,000 dollars, as a way of redemption to the eyes of the public, and to use 1 1/5 of a years fundraising efforts, as so far it seems as if that money is basically wasted as the public seems to view you as a fraud. Finally, for ALDF, All I ask for you is 2 million dollars for this project, as this project will be able to satisfy your clients when it comes to giving orcas more ethical welfare. Also, after about 5 years of opening, we will give you back up to 25% of what you gave to help us as a thank you for finally giving the whales a great home. Details on these proposed sponsorships are here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MonnxW7azIMjtr51O-yODJwJ6nxr5U6DU5XqhXQfyiY/edit#gid=313129086

 

To Independent investors: As you can probably see, even though this plan may be highly expensive with a projected cost of 307 million dollars, it also has a very large chance to be quite profitable. With its location being relatively close to the DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas, and with the fact that it would show live orcas in a very pleasant environment would be basically guaranteed to bring visitors  to the area, and could cause great economic growth for the surrounding area, with it probably gaining more money than its projected cost within 15 years. Also, the majority of that 307 million dollars will be paid by other sponsors, except for 64 million dollars which no potential major sponsor would pay for. So, all I want you to do is pay a small part of the 64 million dollars, and for you to try to convince other investors to do the same. Eventually the goal would be reached. But, I would recommend you to only start when the sponsors start to pay money into this project.

 

 

 

To Seaworld: Even though this project might seem to be a threat to your business, we truly have nothing against you, and will not harm your business with this project. In fact, think of it as more of a relief, as your orcas are mostly just an attraction for protest at this point, and as long as you have them your business will go down. Also, as to my understanding you already have plans to be without orcas (as both of you to my understanding ended your breeding programs), so it would simply be like starting your plans just a little bit earlier. Also, we will pay money for each and every one of the orcas in your custody, specifically 1 million per orca (shows price on spreadsheet) once the facility is built, so you will have good money for this project. And besides, what do you want more, extra funds to make great things or a liability that costs you lots of money through protesters keeping people out of your parks.

 

To Marineland Antibes: Look, I know that you might want to hang onto the orcas. I know that you still believe that the orcas still generate money for you. But, you have to acknowledge that at this point the orcas are costing you more money than giving now, especially now when your government made a law to ban breeding and to make you expand. But, here I can help you. Instead of paying millions of dollars to expand, why not send your orcas to this proposed sanctuary, and we will pay about 4 million dollars for them. Wouldn’t it be a great change for you to give away orcas that will cost you money in exchange for these four million dollars?

 

To Miami Seaquarium/Palace entertainment: Look, even though I might seem to be just like the millions of activists who have been protesting you for almost 40 years now, but I do not seek to destroy you. In fact, all I really seek to do is to take away a liability of yours named “Lolita” who has been attracting more protesters than visitors to you in recent days. Just think about it, you will be able to avoid being prosecuted for the small size of Lolita’s tank, and Lolita will live in a very pleasant sanctuary, exponentially larger than your current tank, with 30 other killer whales who would finally give her the company she deserves for the rest of her days. And besides, once this sanctuary is complete and sponsors would give us our funds, we will pay up to 1 million dollars to buy her from you. Think about it, 1 million dollars in exchange for a whale who has caused you more trouble than she’s worth. I await to see your choice.

 

Reasoning for the placing of this plan:Some reasoning for the placing of this plan is that because of pollution we will need to place the whales somewhere safe, and because the pollution of current activities could end up polluting the water near a sea pen and killing off the whales.. Also, if it is placed relatively close to the capital, it would become a reason to place reasonable infrastructure on the east coast, and help people along with the whales. Finally and most importantly, it would be placed there because to turn a profit by being close to I-95 and to keep the place funded, yet to keep the whales away from pollution, and in an environment that would suit them. Also, it would be put there because travelers on I-95 would easily be able to stop there for a while, getting lots of income off of them. And because it would be an environment about as cold as the environment off the coast of california, which could suit the whales better than their previous home at seaworld.

 

Hopefully you will consider this option and its benefits if you are a receiver of the petition, and to all who are reading this, here is a link back to the petition so that you can write constructive criticism on this proposal if you don’t like something about it, or so that you can sign this petition if you liked it:

https://www.change.org/p/people-for-the-ethical-treatment-of-animals-peta-and-seaworld-help-seaworld-s-orcas

 

Please, show compassion to the orcas and other animals at seaworld by signing this petition, as it is the only way for the orcas to finally gain what they deserve and not have to sit in their current concrete tanks for the rest of their lives.