All of the parks have faced public scrutiny since the release of the 2013 documentary “Blackfish”, which questions SeaWorld’s treatment of the Orcas.
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“The company has initiated production on a new orca presentation for its San Diego park”.
SeaWorld said days later that it meant to challenge that decision.
He also added that the shift is “not universal across our properties”. They want the San Diego whale experience to be what the animal would do in the wild.
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Friday that he plans to introduce a bill that would prohibit the breeding of captive orcas, end the capture of wild orcas and stop the import and export of the killer whales. Trainers would ride the whales in the giant pool before getting out and signaling for the orca to slap its tail in the water to splash spectators in a “splash zone”.
“The evidence is very strong that the psychological and physical harm done to these magnificent animals far outweighs any benefits reaped from their display”, Schiff said. “It’s going to be focused more on the natural setting, natural environment and natural behaviors of the whale”.
“This move is like no longer whipping lions in a circus act but keeping them locked inside cages for life or no longer beating dogs but never letting them out of crates”, he said.
The company reported revenue growth in its third quarter, but it also had to readjust its earnings projections following closures at three of its parks, as well as “increased costs from legal matters and associated reputation initiatives”. The plan comes amid efforts at the state and federal level to end captive breeding of orcas, which would effectively bring an end to the park’s theatrical shows. SeaWorld has hired a law firm to fight that ruling.
The announcement came through the company’s website in anticipation of a webcast in which SeaWorld Entertainment CEO Joel Manby and other executives will reveal their plans for the company’s 11 parks.
The show’s end will coincide with the opening of SeaWorld’s $100m (£66m) expansion and renovation project, dubbed Blue World.
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We can only hope that this new attraction will explain and embrace the natural habitats and behaviours of sea creatures, rather than forcing them to perform tricks, and that the public keeps the pressure on the parks in Orlando and San Antonio.
