SeaWorld admits it sent worker infiltrate animal rights group

SeaWorld San Diego worker Paul McComb was suspended a year ago after he was accused of posing as an activist by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Well, as it turns out…they were right.

The company’s stock price and park attendance has suffered since the 2013 documentary “Blackfish” suggested that the treatment of SeaWorld’s killer whales in captivity provoked violent behavior and led the whales to lash out against trainers, killing at least one.

Manby did not disclose who authorized the infiltration, how long they had been doing it, or how many operatives they sent into the many activist groups protesting inhumane animal-husbandry practices at various SeaWorld locations.

“Following the completion of an investigation conducted by independent outside counsel, the board has directed that the company’s management team end a practice in which certain employees posed as animal rights activists”, the company said Wednesday on its blog. “As always, the security and well-being of our employees, customers and animals remain at the forefront of our business practices”.

Animals rights groups have accused the company for years of mistreating the marine animals.

Whilst undercover, McComb had urged other protesters to “burn it [SeaWorld] to the ground” and used Facebook and Twitter to incite other activists to “get a little aggressive” and “drain the new tanks at #SeaWorld”. Manby said Thursday that McComb was back at work at the company, though in a different department.

Manby says the theme park company also retained a global risk management firm to ensure best practices.

A company spokeswoman said PETA would not comment past the statement it has already issued.

The San Diego park told a local publication that it is on track to open in the late spring of 2017. “The tawdry orca sideshows and despicable spying tactics are sinking SeaWorld’s ship”, she added.

In the wake of “Blackfish”, the company launched a new “Ask SeaWorld” campaign to convince the public that its killer whales are treated well. In the fourth quarter, revenue rose 1% to $267.9 million, compared with the fourth quarter of 2015, and the company lost $11 million, compared with a $25.4 million loss a year earlier.