BLACKFISH

Matt BrehmTaylor GeyerGabe FloresBrandon HassenMichele Harman

Introduction: BLACKFISH (2013)

About the documentary:

• Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite.

• Premiered at 2013 Sundance Film Festival

• Focuses on the story of Tilikum, an Orca held by

SeaWorld

• Controversy over the captivity of killer whales

• Covers Tilikum and his involvement of in the

deaths of three individuals and the

consequences of holding killer whales in

captivity.

Introduction: SeaWorld

About SeaWorld:• Opened in 1964,• Originally planned as a restaurant • Drew in more than 400k visitors in the first year.

Locations:• Orlando, Florida• San Antonio, Texas• San Diego, CA

Attractions:• Water park thrills.• nature and animals • Unique up-close encounters with animals• Mix of educational and innovative entertainment

MAJOR ETHICAL ISSUES

• Dishonesty

•Employee Safety

• Animal Treatment

MAJOR ETHICAL ISSUES: DISHONESTY

Deflection of Blame

Providing Inaccurate

Information

Sales Musical Performances

MAJOR ETHICAL ISSUES: EMPLOYEE SAFETY

• Safety Training & Procedures

• Issues with Training

• Citations issued by OSHA

1991 Keltie Byrne

2010 Dawn Brancheau

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?

MAJOR ETHICAL ISSUES: ANIMAL TREATMENT

• Shortened lifespan in captivity • Breeding aggressive genes • Confining animals to small spaces • Food deprivation for training • Putting Tilikum in with aggressive orcas• Segregating the animals, causing psychological and emotional stress

IMPORTANCE

Dishonesty Training Animal Treatment

Social

Cultural

Economic

Legal

Moral

STAKEHOLDERS

Animals, Employees, Owners

Shareholders, Managers, Lawyers

Customers, Suppliers

Local Community

Government Regulators, Media, Activist Groups

RECOMMENDED COURSE OF ACTION

• Branding

• Education

• Partnerships

IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPLICATIONS

• Financial Implications

• Organizational Changes

• Consequences of implementing recommendations

Questions?