“The new show, “…will be focused on … the natural behavior of the whales”, Manby said. Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Oscar-nominated documentary (available on Netflix) was inspired by the February 2010 killing of a SeaWorld trainer by an orca during a performance in Orlando.
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The recent wave of the public’s anti-SeaWorld sentiment has mostly stemmed from the documentary Blackfish, which is critical of the park keeping the whales in captivity.
“California consumers have strongly indicated that the theatrical production of our shows is the market they want to see less of”.
The new orca show also means that SeaWorld will at least temporarily drop a $100 million plan to almost double the number of killer whale tanks at the part, the Union Tribune said. Manby said Monday that the company had no other choice because the ruling set a “bad precedent” for not only SeaWorld but all zoos, aquariums and other animal parks.
The announcement is contained in a company document posted online in advance of a webcast Monday in which SeaWorld Entertainment CEO Joel Manby and other senior executives will unveil their vision for the company and its collection of 11 parks.
Vice-President of Communications at SeaWorld Fred Jacobs told the BBC that the changes reflect “input received” in San Diego.
Schiff announced a bill on Friday to phase out the use of those killer whales in captivity and prohibit the capture and breeding of future animals.
SeaWorld has announced it will end orca shows at its theme park in San Diego.
At this time, only SeaWorld’s San Diego theme park is ending its “Shamu” shows.
The new attraction will also entail conservation messages and tips for the guests so that they could have a few learning to take home.
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Then, earlier in October, the California Coastal Commission approved the company’s plans to expand its orca habitat under the condition that it will no longer breed captive killer whales. Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling for the release of all captive orcas into “sea sanctuaries”. As criticism for the orca show has only grown louder over the last couple of years, negatively affecting ticket sales, Manby explained that the park needs to reverse that trend.
