Tilikum, the free-living orca who was captured in 1983 and forced to endure three decades in pools at various theme parks (and was the subject of the film Blackfish), finally was released from his captivity last week, via his passing. May he rest in peace.
Because of efforts like Blackfish, more and more attention is being focused on the plight of captive animals, and thanks to a major Rolling Stone feature published last week, many more people are now aware of the scourge of dog factory farming—aka puppy mills—in America.
That feature offers real reason for hope, as do so many other signs of changing times. In fact, just this week Billy Graham’s son—and leader of his major evangelical empire—announced he’s now a vegan.
Paul Shapiro
Vice President of Policy
The Humane Society of the United States
Follow at twitter.com/pshapiro
P.S. Video of the week: Baby orcas where they belong.