The 2013 documentary “Blackfish” shone a disturbing light and sparked controversy over orcas in captivity at SeaWorld.
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The company made their announcement during its investors and analysts day on Monday, November 9, 2015.
The Orlando-based company announced that it would soon replace its Shamu, also known as the killer whale show, with an attraction that will feature the animals in a more natural setting.
SeaWorld is phasing out its famous – and controversial – killer whale shows at its San Diego marine park. For additional video content, click the “video” tab at the top of this page.
SeaWorld is also facing a battery of legal and legislative challenges, including class-action lawsuits by former visitors who claim that the park misrepresented how they treat their killer whales and what life is truly like for them in captivity.
Still, SeaWorld reportedly “vows” to fight this ruling in order to expand the killer whales’ containers.
Manby explained that the new orca show will focus on more natural whale movements. This means that they are more interested in orcas that behave naturally. “They jump in the wild, they splash in the wild”.
According to Slate, SeaWorld’s planned orca experience is little more than a revamped Shamu show.
The company said that the show will include conservation messaging and tips.
The company has sought to counter negative publicity surrounding Blackfish with a public relations blitz aimed at drawing attention to SeaWorld’s role in marine mammal research and its rescue and rehabilitation of animals in the wild.
The film focused on the death of a trainer who was dragged and drowned by an aggressive bull whale.
The news came days after SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. reported its third-quarter earnings missed Wall Street expectations. After protests from animal rights activists, Sea World is planning to shut down and stop its theatrical shows with the killer whale. He indicated to investors that the company might shelve the San Diego project.
The state Coastal Commission voted unanimously in October to permit the expansion, but only on condition that captive breeding of the whales ceased, along with the transfer or sale of new whales to the park. “Much more needs to be done, however, and I would urge the company to curtail the breeding of their orcas and partner in the creation of ocean sanctuaries”.
“We start everything by listening to our guests and evolving our shows to what we’re hearing, and so far that’s what we’ve been hearing in California, they want experiences that are more natural and experiences that look more natural in the environment”, said Chief Executive Officer, Joel Manby.
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The way I see it, ending the orca shows as they now exist in San Diego may actually contribute to SeaWorld’s steady decline in attendance.
