Releasing captive orcas into the wild is not as simple as opening a gate. While the idea of returning these magnificent creatures to their natural environment tugs at the heartstrings, the reality is fraught with challenges and potentially fatal consequences. The primary reasons captive orcas can’t be simply released include: lack of essential survival skills, social integration difficulties, potential for disease transmission, psychological and physiological adaptations to captivity, and ethical considerations regarding their well-being. These factors intertwine to create a situation where release, while seemingly humane, could ultimately be more detrimental than remaining in human care, even with its acknowledged limitations.

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The alternative is... they starve to death, after cannibalizing each other?

[–] quetzaldilla@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Are you a marine biologist?

I'm not. I'm just quoting a website where marine biologist are weighing in on the subject.

So unless you are one, then maybe let's consider it's more complex than we think it is?

You ever try doing that with a subject you're not super knowledgeable about?

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I posed what I said as a question for a reason.

... To indicate uncertainty.

Sorry if you're used to only being asked rhetorical questions, but sometimes people still ask genuine, earnest questions... when they are not speaking from authority, do not fully grasp all the complexities and potential options and their trade-offs, and is seeking an actual answer.

[–] quetzaldilla@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Questions are fine.

There's not much to go off the way you composed your comment, and given that much of the discussion that followed from others was disingenuous, are you surprised I assumed more of the same?

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 2 months ago

The original post in this particular comment chain seems to me to be to reasonable questions, again seeming to me to be asked by someone not attempting to pose as any kind of expert.

You then replied with some more information.

I asked my own genuine question.

You responded with hostility and accusations.

...

Yes, yes I am surprised by your behavior, normally people don't make a whole bunch of assumptions and act hostile toward people based on things they have not said nor really even implied.

[–] FrenchBiology@ani.social 7 points 2 months ago

ethical considerations regarding their well-being

As compared to their current situation?

[–] FundMECFSResearch@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 months ago

The main problem of course is that Orcas are social animals and that the Orca released into the wild would need to find a pod (group/family) willing to accept it and teach it their ways.