Watch: Marine Biologist Claims SeaWorld Killer Whale Too 'Depressed' To Take Care Of Calf
SAN DIEGO (CBS Sacramento) - As SeaWorld fights against a California ban on breeding killer whales, there's a new claim about the mistreatment of animals at its parks.
A former SeaWorld trainer says captive Orcas are showing signs of boredom and depression.
John Hargrove took video from the San Diego park which, he says, proves the animals are suffering in captivity.
One clip shows a female Orca that Hargrove claims is too depressed to nurse its own offpring.
He says the baby whale was so desperate to be nursed that it bruised its mother's belly.
"If you can imagine a crying baby needing something from the mother but the mother's so depressed she's incapable of taking care of her calf," said John.
A SeaWorld statement denies the claims made on the video: "They have confused a fully weaned killer whale with a nursing baby. The video shows Makani, an almost 3-year-old killer whale weighing 2,130 pounds, and his mom Kasatka. Makani is fully weaned and eats about 65 pounds of fish a day."
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
