After the documentary’s release in 2013, several entertainers pulled out of planned performances at SeaWorld parks amid criticism from animal rights activists, and Southwest Airlines ended its 25-year marketing partnership with the theme park company. ‘We are also phasing out our theatrical orca whale shows’.
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This announcement is part of a joint effort between SeaWorld and the Humane Society of the United States. “Society is changing and we’re changing with it”, the company said. The company is committing to educating its more than 20 million annual visitors on animal welfare and conservation issues through interpretative programs at the parks and expanded advocacy for wild whales, seals, and other marine creatures.
The company made changes to the orca show after Brancheau’s death, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration still cited the park for safety concerns and prohibited employees from performing in the water with orcas. Specifically, SeaWorld plans to advocate for an end to commercial whaling and sealing and to fight shark finning throughout the world. Now, they are among the most beloved marine mammals on the planet thanks, in part, to the inspirational encounters we’ve provided to more than 400 million guests.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter, and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. Our existing show pools and viewing areas will be redesigned into a more naturalistic setting and we will continue to present the whales at scheduled times before a guest audience.
For as long as they live, the orcas at SeaWorld will stay in our parks. Those include pollution, disease and other man-made threats.
SeaWorld announced Thursday it will end its killer whale breeding programs and take what it called a “new direction” amid changing social attitudes. They’ll continue to receive the highest-quality care, based on the latest advances in marine veterinary medicine, science and zoological best practices.
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SeaWorld’s treatment of the animal has been a point of controversy, ever since the debut of the documentary Blackfish. The stock price of the publicly-traded company has dropped by more than half in the past three years. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than 27,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
