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California lawmaker plans law to end killer whale captivity
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) introduced federal legislation Friday that would prohibit breeding, capturing, and importing or exporting orcas for the purposes of public display. The company said it has not captured a whale in the wild in 35 years and it does not intend to do so. “We would essentially phase out the captive orcas that are now in these water parks”, taking aim at Seaworld which has been under instense scrutiny ever since the release of the popular documentary Blackfish.
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“The evidence is very strong that the psychological and physical harm done to these magnificent animals far outweighs any benefits reaped from their display”, commented Schiff in a statement. In response, SeaWorld believes that their whales are still thriving in the parks and the parks foster better understanding of the animals.
In a statement of their own, Seaworld said “While efforts to phase out whales in human care may strike an emotional chord, SeaWorld and other science-based organizations are part of the solution, not the problem”, CNBC reported.
The bill comes a month after the California Coastal Commission ruled that SeaWorld could only expand its killer whale tanks at its San Diego park if it agreed to stop breeding. In response, SeaWorld says that they will challenge this ruling in court. In 2014, California assemblymember Richard Bloom sent shock waves through the marine-mammal industry with his proposed Orca Welfare and Safety Act, aimed at ending orca performances and captive breeding programs, after which Schiff modeled his bill.
But SeaWorld was not happy with the decision – as usual.
“[Orcas] are simply too large, too wide-ranging, too socially complex, and too intelligent to thrive in any-sized concrete enclosure”, said Animal Welfare Institute marine mammal scientist Dr. Naomi Rose in a press release. “Orcas do not belong in captivity”. Schiff also believes that keeping the animals in captivity is a cruel act. They praised the legislation for seeking to end what they referred to as a “marine prison” for killer whales.
A critically acclaimed 2015 film called Blackfish alleged that SeaWorld subjected killer whales to mistreatment and exposed trainers to extreme danger and highlights the 2010 death of trainer Dawn Brancheau, who was killed by a SeaWorld orca named Tilikum.
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On Monday, SeaWorld Entertainment CEO Joel Manby is expected to announce plans for a new attraction created to boost attendance – possibly using a few of the $100 million the park planned to spend on the expanded orca tanks.