Six Flags Marine World opens among protesters

You know, I am a tree huger to a certain degree (I'm married to a biologist, after all), but I don't get these kind of protests. Being held in captivity limits the animals' freedom, sure, but at the same time they're always fed and don't have to contend with predators.

Bigger picture, these kinds of parks (and especially zoos) help us learn more about the world we live in, serving as an educational tool for scientists and regular people alike.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Hey jeff we have something in common my wife is a marine biologist(does not work anymore though). I only have a problem with the park's that take there older animals out of there park's for baby animal's, they sell there older animals to canned hunt dealer's SFGadv is famous for that. I figure you take on an animal you take him for life not until he losses his appeal.

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Army rangers lead the way *** This post was edited by supermandl on 3/19/2001. ***

As an ecologist, environmentalist, and even a vegetarian, it is my feeling that most zoos have done more to promote endangered species conservation, and raising awareness of biodiversity issues then any animal rights activist ever has. No offense to anybody but it appears that many animal rights groups are well intentioned but usually misinformed and often lack basic ecological and biological training. I don't know how Six Flags treats their animals but if they are indeed neglected and mistreated, then the activists may have a case. It's been my experience, however, that the agenda of most animals rights activists is to shut down zoos completely.

I was at the opening of the park this weekend, and saw the protesters out there near the entrance. It's sad really, that they don't quite get that a lot of these animals are treated very well. It's our nature to focus on the bad stories more than the good, and it doesn't take much to get these groups up in arms over something. Someone yells mistreatment and you have several groups breathing down your neck. The animals look very well taken care of on the outside, so it's hard to judge. I think the park takes very good care of the animals from the contact I've had with park employees. I totally agree with you all on this subject, especially Jeff's comments. I used to work with animals in an Interpretive Naturalist field, teaching school kids about the environment of the San Francisco Bay Area, and I also feel that these kinds of places offer children the chance to really get to know how our actions affect the other species we share our planet with. Without the knowledge, there's no hope for saving a lot of animals that are currently endangered. Just my opinion. Peace. :)

This is insane, those animals are not in anything like a natural hibitat. Even if they are only shown off for a few hours a day, then cycled into a real pool, those tiny show-pools could not be kept at a reasonable temp. in the hot CA. heat. I do not oppose having a couple aquariums and zoos for serious rehabilitative and educational purposes, but there simply is nothing serious about Marine World. I'm also not convinced that the sound from roller-coasters can be easily shielded from them. Sound waves travel very well underground, then they woulg probably be amplified by the water. I am not an expert, so I can't judge Marine World's actions, but they were awful quick to dismiss In Defence's claims. I would have at least said that I would personaly look into their claims, and if I fond somethingwrong..... or someother B.S. lik that...

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The Northwest will Join the Best-in 2003!!!

Stuipd people. SFMW is doing no harm to the animals. Give me a freaky break. Those protesters are the ones with problems.

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Best Steel
1.) Millennium Force - CP
2.) Medusa - SFMW
3.) Dueling Dragons (Ice) - IOA
4.) Dueling Dragons (Fire) - IOA
5.) The Incredible Hulk - IOA

I have no idea how SFMW treats their animals but from what I've seen at Sea World and other places, I think the animals are in fine shape. Their lifespans are much longer because they can get care for diseases, they get fed healthy food, and they do not have to contend with predators like Jeff said. I don't think I would mind it. Eat, sleep, swim around, maybe do a show or two every day :)

SFMW is known around the world as one of the only in not the only theme park/marine research center in america. they would not take this lightly and they can use this for publicity. im not trying to sound like i dont care about the animals in fact i usually spend more time there then i do on the rides. you can usually tell when an animal is being abused and these animals seem very normal and calm around people. the protesters are trying to win a case that they are wrong about because if SFMW was abusing their animals we would know by now. V2 opens memorial day weekend.

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are you ready to go vertical?...V2 SFMW 2001 ... *** This post was edited by hypersonic on 3/19/2001. ***