coasterbill 346 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 I know my usual role on this board is to be a sarcastic pain in the a** and/or your resident walking / talking Knoebels commercial but I feel like I need to say something here. I know I'm kind of preaching to the choir and I know I may lose some cool points but seeing animals in distress breaks my heart. People? Whatever... when some worldwide disaster hits you're lucky to get a $10 Red Cross text from me but animals are a different story. This whole thing is just such a shame. I think it's great that these Blackfish people are so interested in helping animals but they need to direct their passion in the right place. Sea World does more to help these animals than anyone and most of it flies under the radar. Right now there's a serious problem on the west coast with Sea Lions washing ashore. Sea World has rescued and rehabilitated over 200 of these animals just in the last 2 months. When these animals get stranded these localities don't call Peta, they don't call the fake activists from Blackfish, they call Sea World and they do that because they're the best in the business. Ever since our first visit to SeaWorld we fell and love with the place... my girlfriend especially. Now she's even started talking to some of the trainers and is trying to convince me to get married at Sea World. She drinks the Sea World Kool Aid more than I drink the Knoebels Kool Aid (and I'm about to drown on Knoebels Kool Aid). Like seriously... that dumb Turtle Trek movie has caused her to become a complete tree hugger. She drives a Prius BECAUSE of Sea World (yeah, she's one of THOSE people), she freaks out about recycling, she donates to animal charities even though we take the standard deduction and there's no tax benefit, she's a complete fan girl... it's kind of ridiculous, lol. Anyway her conversations with the trainers just paint pictures of people crying, trainers clocking out after work and going right back to the tank to spend time with Tilikum and just an outpouring of love for this whale. These people are amazing people. They love Tilikum like he's one of their own children. This entire thing is heartbreaking but it's just affirming the fact that this is a wonderful organization with amazing people that deserves our support. The tears in that video are real tears. By the sounds of things many of these people are almost inconsolable. Sea World and Busch Gardens have a conservation fund that accepts donations to help them continue to do the amazing work that they do. Until recently they did it with very little PR and are just now starting to inform the masses of it with shows like Wildlife Docs as a necessary response to all of the bad press they've been getting. Even though they're now making this more public it doesn't even scratch the surface of the great work they do. I think it would be great to see some support from the community in honor of Tilikum. There's not much anyone can do to help, but at least it's a small way to help them continue their amazing work and hopefully one day find a cure for these types of infections that impact both wild and captive whales. I know I just lost cool points but I feel awful for these people and for Tilikum. This is an amazing organization. Link to post Share on other sites
SharkTums 143 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 ^Very well said. It's pathetic that people believe Sea World is some evil corporation that is going into the oceans and grabbing animals away from their families. Sea World does so much more for animals than PETA on a daily basis. Link to post Share on other sites
Jcoaster 0 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 ^Very well said. It's pathetic that people believe Sea World is some evil corporation that is going into the oceans and grabbing animals away from their families. Sea World does so much more for animals than PETA on a daily basis. PETA is typical leftist finger pointing farce. "You should do this and or that." While they collect money and do nothing. Okay political rant off. Link to post Share on other sites
CoasterDirected 0 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 No, PETA does stuff, just not really anything good How exactly is mass euthanizing of shelter animals you are so for exactly the right thing? Link to post Share on other sites
Cyrbuzz 0 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 The Peturds and Blacktards are too busy smelling their own BS that they can't even form a rational thought or actually listen to people who know the truth and are the real experts in animal care and well being. Link to post Share on other sites
Philrad71 0 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 I know my usual role on this board is to be a sarcastic pain in the a** and/or your resident walking / talking Knoebels commercial but I feel like I need to say something here. I know I'm kind of preaching to the choir and I know I may lose some cool points but seeing animals in distress breaks my heart. People? Whatever... when some worldwide disaster hits you're lucky to get a $10 Red Cross text from me but animals are a different story. This whole thing is just such a shame. I think it's great that these Blackfish people are so interested in helping animals but they need to direct their passion in the right place. Sea World does more to help these animals than anyone and most of it flies under the radar. Right now there's a serious problem on the west coast with Sea Lions washing ashore. Sea World has rescued and rehabilitated over 200 of these animals just in the last 2 months. When these animals get stranded these localities don't call Peta, they don't call the fake activists from Blackfish, they call Sea World and they do that because they're the best in the business. Ever since our first visit to SeaWorld we fell and love with the place... my girlfriend especially. Now she's even started talking to some of the trainers and is trying to convince me to get married at Sea World. She drinks the Sea World Kool Aid more than I drink the Knoebels Kool Aid (and I'm about to drown on Knoebels Kool Aid). Like seriously... that dumb Turtle Trek movie has caused her to become a complete tree hugger. She drives a Prius BECAUSE of Sea World (yeah, she's one of THOSE people), she freaks out about recycling, she donates to animal charities even though we take the standard deduction and there's no tax benefit, she's a complete fan girl... it's kind of ridiculous, lol. Anyway her conversations with the trainers just paint pictures of people crying, trainers clocking out after work and going right back to the tank to spend time with Tilikum and just an outpouring of love for this whale. These people are amazing people. They love Tilikum like he's one of their own children. This entire thing is heartbreaking but it's just affirming the fact that this is a wonderful organization with amazing people that deserves our support. The tears in that video are real tears. By the sounds of things many of these people are almost inconsolable. Sea World and Busch Gardens have a conservation fund that accepts donations to help them continue to do the amazing work that they do. Until recently they did it with very little PR and are just now starting to inform the masses of it with shows like Wildlife Docs as a necessary response to all of the bad press they've been getting. Even though they're now making this more public it doesn't even scratch the surface of the great work they do. I think it would be great to see some support from the community in honor of Tilikum. There's not much anyone can do to help, but at least it's a small way to help them continue their amazing work and hopefully one day find a cure for these types of infections that impact both wild and captive whales. I know I just lost cool points but I feel awful for these people and for Tilikum. This is an amazing organization. I agree...well said - no loss of cool points from me. I'm not a violent person in the least, but sometimes I feel like I could just slap some of the PETA and Blackfish people and tell them to wake the eff up. Some of these extremists literally make me want to vomit. Link to post Share on other sites
TBpony414 0 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Very, very sad news. It was nice of them to present such an honest and heart-felt video about Tilikum, his keepers and his care. Seeing them love on him and play got me a little choked up. I can't believe how large he is! A very close friend of mine worked at The National Zoo for over 2 decades. She was a sea lion keeper but also worked frequently with the bobcats and river otters. The stories she tells me about those animals and how they actually DO become like members of your family are true. There was one old sea lion who was very sick like Tilikum and it was clear that after a very long battle she wasn't going to make it. My friend and another keeper stayed the night with her in her small wading pool holding her until she passed away in the middle of the night. To hear her tell the story will bring even the most cold-hearted businessmen to tears! I can't imagine how it must feel for Sea World to be facing this with such a wonderful whale. I'm curious, does anyone know if Sea World would at some point choose to euthanize him? Or are they strictly treating and letting nature take its course either way? I'm not sure on their stance with that sort of thing. I'm pro euth if at a certain point there's no way to manage pain/quality of life. But, to each their own. Link to post Share on other sites
Genx24 0 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 It's already begun. Saw some airhead on my twitter who probably didn't bother reading SeaWorld's press release calling them "pure evil" for allowing the whale to get sick. Nevermind the fact that this whale would already be dead if it were in the wild. Link to post Share on other sites
DorneyKid14 4 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Someone i follow on twitter had a screenshot of the article and said "F*** you @Seaworld" with the pissed off face. I wanted to say something but I kept it in. Link to post Share on other sites
RAWKIN_coaster38 20 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 This is heartbreaking. Tilli is a breautiful animal and well-loved by everyone at Seaworld. It's a shame that once again the activists are using something heartbreaking at Seaworld to further their agenda. Link to post Share on other sites
JordyC 0 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Mako is completed! Source: Mako Madness Link to post Share on other sites
Jcoaster 0 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Mako is completed! [attachment=0]12028914_1702160686696209_8372031766302920445_o.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=1]12814747_1702160730029538_7541715750191304604_n.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=2]1781208_1702160706696207_3643395104418466727_o.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=3]1924128_1702160753362869_8845284258148528337_n.jpg[/attachment] Source: Mako Madness beautiful Link to post Share on other sites
Genx24 0 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Looks incredible. I really enjoyed SeaWorld when I visited last November; glad there's a reason for me to return the next time I'm back in Orlando. Link to post Share on other sites
DoinItForTheFame 3 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 That last photo is beautiful. Link to post Share on other sites
RAWKIN_coaster38 20 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Looks amazing. Can you see it from the freeway? Link to post Share on other sites
ragerunner2 0 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 This a great addition to Sea World. Can't wait to give this a ride. Link to post Share on other sites
snoflake15 0 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 This is making me hopeful it will be ready for my visit in May. Link to post Share on other sites
Cyrbuzz 0 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 That turn around looks dang near an inversion. This is one eye catching coaster and really compliments Sea Worlds already great skyline. Kudos to Sea World for adding a great addition to an already great park. Also a shout out to Tillikum and hoping he has a quick recovery from his illness. Link to post Share on other sites
Vonni 0 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 ^ Right! It reminds me a lot of the turn around inversion on Gatekeeper! Link to post Share on other sites
Jcoaster 0 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 That turn around looks dang near an inversion. This is one eye catching coaster and really compliments Sea Worlds already great skyline. Kudos to Sea World for adding a great addition to an already great park. Also a shout out to Tillikum and hoping he has a quick recovery from his illness. Im waiting for the day when they actually do make it an inversion. Link to post Share on other sites
jedimaster1227 86 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 (edited) Driving around the park yesterday night gave me a great view of the completed ride... Mako is one gorgeous coaster--one that I'm hoping will deliver as much for the ride experience as it does for the visual experience. Edited March 14, 2016 by jedimaster1227 Link to post Share on other sites
jedimaster1227 86 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Today I had the chance to stop in for a quick visit to see the latest progress on Mako, which if you haven't heard just completed installation of the last track segment! Work continues on installing the ride's brakes, nets and theming the surrounding areas. The ride station is gaining new detail by the day and it looks like the ride could start testing within the next few weeks. I see you Mako! The turnaround is now visible from the entrance of the Kraken plaza. These hills look like they will provide some great floater air. The ride's final turnaround was successfully installed at the end of last week. Looks fantastic! The colors really stand out when lined up next to Kraken. Installation of the Sharks Realm marquee is nearly complete. Another look at the shipwreck-inspired sign. Another shark in the pavement has appeared near the Sharks Realm sign. Mako now towers within view of Shark Encounter. The last portion of the ride swoops over the guest pathway with some really gorgeous looking maneuvers. Installation of the ride's netting over all guest areas continues now that track installation is complete. The turn towards the water's edge looks like there will be plenty of landscaping work to do. This will be a great view for non-riders. Beautiful! Quite the difference in size... I can't wait to see trains flying through this turn. The ride looks really incredible with the netting supports. I love this angle! The building flyby looks great too. The path crossover near the Nautilus Theater... Close calls at the end of the ride. In other news, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin will soon debut a non-rider ride line for guests that want to bypass the ride experience and go straight to the animal exhibit at the end. Link to post Share on other sites
markysharky17 0 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I hope this coaster has more of a Fury 325 feel then a Diamondback feel. Some of these B&M hypers have really strong layouts. This one can hopefully be up there with the better ones! Link to post Share on other sites
Nwstone 0 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 So when do you guys think mako will open? Link to post Share on other sites
djcoastermark 0 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 This looks like a great coaster. Airtime, speed ,close encounters, I am looking forward to riding. great pics! Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now