SeaWorld announced Thursday that the orcas they house will be the last generation to be bred at the amusement park. They will continue to house and care for them, but they will no longer put on a show. This has sparked many conversations among a lot of people.

Whether you agree with the removal of the orcas from SeaWorld or you are upset to see them go, the magnificence of these creatures is astounding. I went to SeaWorld when I was a little kid and experienced a whole new world (yes, I'm quoting Jasmine). I was able to see a creature I would have never been able to see in real life, up close and personal. It inspired me and made me love the ocean even more. Killer whales were not the most loved creatures back in the day. People actually hunted them, but SeaWorld introduced these animals into their park to give people a chance to experience their beauty.

I would personally like to thank all of the orcas at SeaWorld for being an amazing part of my childhood and continuing to impact me. I was completely speechless at the sight of them. Thank you for inspiring me to learn more about the creatures of the ocean, and, most importantly, all creatures of the earth. I have taken so many classes that focused on animals and have learned so much more than I could imagine. Thank you for making me want to take care of the oceans and the creatures in them. I now think twice before dumping something down the drain.

Thank you for inspiring my best friend to become a marine biologist and live her dream of studying marine life. She is completely ecstatic to be spending her life dedicated to the ocean. Thank you for showing me the love between a human and an animal. It shows a true, unconditional, loving relationship. Thank you for showing me not to judge anything by a name, because a name means only so little. This goes for animals, books, and even people. You have inspired me to be a teacher that focuses on the beauty of a creature rather than just the statistics. I cannot wait to show my students the beautiful marine life in our oceans. I believe these orcas have taught me a lot more than the executives at SeaWorld thought they would when they added them to the park.

There is so much negativity surrounding this issue that takes away from the real magnificence of the orca's introduction at SeaWorld. Through SeaWorld, millions of people were able to learn more about this mysterious creature. SeaWorld gave us an appreciation of this incredible mammal that changed our entire view of it and helped us to save them. We are no longer taught to fear these animals, rather, we are taught to love them.