California to end breeding of captive killer whales

The bill comes just months after SeaWorld announced an end to their killer whale breeding program and the end of theatrical shows featuring the whales in March. SeaWorld claims that since its remaining orcas have never lived in the wild, they could not survive in the open oceans.

Since the eye-opening documentary Blackfish was released in 2013, Seaworld’s visitor numbers have plunged as well as their shares dropping by 62 per cent. SeaWorld keeps its largest collection of captive orcas at its San Diego park, which was the center for many of its breeding efforts.

Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill Tuesday that bans the breeding and captivity of killer whales.

The new law codifies SeaWorld’s plans to discontinue its controversial orca practices and will hold the company legally accountable to follow through on its word. “The best, and safest, future for these whales is to let them live out their lives at SeaWorld in state-of-the-art habitats, and continue to receive the highest-quality care based on the latest advances in marine veterinary medicine, science and zoological best practices”, the statement, released on August 30, read. It also recounted the 2010 death of veteran SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau by a killer whale named Tilikum, a 12,000-pound bull.

The bill’s author, Democratic Assemblyman Richard Bloom from Santa Monica, did leave space in the legislation for educational institutions with plans of rereleasing orcas the option to capture whales for research and rehabilitation.

SeaWorld communications director David Koontz issued a statement asserting that the corporation did not have a position on the new law.

“People are increasingly turning away from animal entertainment as it is archaic and unjustified”, said Marilyn Kroplick, the president of In Defense of Animals.

Violators of the breeding provision would be punished with a fine of up to $100,000, according to the Associated Press.