Sarasota News Leader April 19, 2013 Page 77 ed. "I started researching it, trying to under- in the animal entertainment industry, it's very stand what had happened there, and the more hard to get a job once you leave, if you say I peeled back the onion the more I found and anything," she pointed out. the more shocked I became." She went on to admit that she was still nerHall then asked the former SeaWorld trainers vous and hesitant when she finally voiced her to explain how they became involved in the opinions about six months after Brancheau's production. The first to answer, Ventre, of- death. "Even though I was 17 or 18 years out fered a response that could have represented [of the industry], there was still part of me his entire group: "I think we're kind of here by that felt like I was betraying my colleagues default, because most of the people that still by talking." work in the marine park industry were unwillJett, an outspoken critic of SeaWorld and othing to come out and say anything." er sea parks, said trainers have doubted the Berg said many current sea park employees industry for decades. "This conversation acwho feel critical of the industry are unwilling tually began when Jeff [Ventre] and I worked or afraid to voice their opinions. "When you're together at Shamu Stadium 20 years ago," he Blackfish Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite.