SeaWorld wants to greatly expand the tanks its uses to hold killer whales in San Diego, but animal rights activists fear the plan would pave the way for breeding the animals in captivity – something they say is cruel no matter the size of the tanks.
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The panel’s decision raised an array of questions, including whether the company would proceed with the project or raise a legal challenge, possibly on whether the commission overstepped its authority.
“The only appropriate expansion of a tank at SeaWorld would probably have to be 100 miles long, because that’s how much wild orcas swim a day the wild”, said Michael Harris, a board member at the Orca Conservancy, a nonprofit group in Washington state.
But the commission’s approval came under the condition that SeaWorld end captive breeding, artificial insemination and the sale, trade and transfer of any animal in captivity.
Officials at CCC are provisionally in favour of the project providing SeaWorld puts in place a scheme to limit expansion of its population of 11 killer whales at the San Diego park.
SeaWorld’s plans are estimated to cost $100m (£65m) and include the building of two orca pools that together would represent an increase in water volume of almost 3.8m gallons (14.4m litres).
SeaWorld has faced heated criticism and declining business since the 2013 documentary “Blackfish” presented a dim view of how the company treated orcas.
But SeaWorld veterinarian Hendrik Nollens disputed what he called “outlandish accusations” from critics of the park. “We have nothing but the whales’ best interest at heart”.
However, the commission claims it has also received tens of thousands of letters and post cards and most of those were in support of the plan. SeaWorld issued a statement following the vote.
Under the proposal, SeaWorld would demolish portions of a 1995 facility that included a 1.7-million gallon pool and replace it with a 5.2-million gallon tank and 450,000-gallon pool.
SeaWorld says its animals have normal breeding interactions in the healthy environment provided by the park, and not allowing its killer whales to breed would be inhumane.
Gorman said she believes that SeaWorld should use the money meant for the expansion to phase out the captivity of their orcas and start rehabilitating and retiring the animals to sea sanctuaries.
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Orlando, Florida-based SeaWorld says the orca population at the San Diego facility would not significantly increase if the project is approved and opens in 2018.
