Animals and Humans

Animals and humans either directly or indirectly interact with each other every day. Both of us are part of this world and will come in contact somehow sooner or later. Most of the interactions are harmless. Pets, farm animals, birdwatching, veterinary medicine, and hunting/fishing are just some of the myriad forms of interactions between animals and humans. Most people have only casual interactions with animals, but for those that work with animals, it goes beyond a simple interaction. It's a calling. When one has that calling, he or she will do anything to to heed that call. Working with animals takes a lot of time, hard work, dedication, sweat, and at times can be dangerous.

With all the talk surrounding this week's tragic incident at Sea World, many people were talking about it and, in the human way, made assumptions and incorrect statements about Tilikum and the incident. Yes, it is a tragedy and a shock that this young woman lost her life, but no, the Orca (Orcinus orca) is not a vicious, bloodthirsty creature. There has never been an attack on a human from these beautiful dolphins (It is the largest dolphin in the world). Compare that to some land creatures such as the Lion (Panthera leo) where there have been several documented "man-eaters" that have, through unusual circumstances, started relying on humans as their food source.

Any time someone works closely with animals, domestic or wild, there is a chance that something bad will occur. The chance increases greatly as the size of the animal increases. Working with these large dolphins (and with any animal) is, I am sure, very rewarding and pleasing, but one must always be on the watch to make sure everything goes right. When incidences like this happen, we must always look to the human side first because we are the one's with the most reasoning skills and the ones that are charged by God to look after His creation. When we take it for granted and are not careful, then the possibility of a tragedy can occur and ends up with tragic results for human, animal, or both.

I am not casting blame on any of the parties involved in this incident anymore than I cast blame in the Steve Irwin incident or the Roy Horn attack. I am just saying that there will always be just such tragic events because of the inherent danger in working with animals (especially large, wild animals) and the fact that the Prince of peace has not yet set up His earthly kingdom. Won't that be a wonderful day!! We can walk with the Lion and swim with the Orca and not worry about anymore such tragedies.