SeaWorld ending killer whale shows in San Diego

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.

On Monday, it was unclear if SeaWorld was planning similar changes at its Texas or Florida parks.

According to NBC San Diego, the killer whale shows at SeaWorld will be phased out of the park as early as next year.

SeaWorld has dismissed the documentary as inaccurate and misleading, pointing out that it has not captured a whale in the wild for 35 years. “I really see a company that’s focused on protecting wild animals in wild places”, said the owner of a company that puts wild animals in tiny pools. Just look at WholeFoods…

Manby said the decision was not driven by growing opposition to orca captivity.

The parks plan to implement this through increased rescue efforts, education and preservation, said executives in the webcast.

SeaWorld has faced criticism and declining attendance rates over revelations about its treatment of killer whales, also known as orcas.

Manby also said the company may changes its plans for a $100 million expansion of its tanks for its killer whales, which was endorsed by the California Coastal Commission last month on the condition it agree to stop breeding orcas, among other restrictions.

“An end to SeaWorld’s tawdry circus-style shows is inevitable and necessary”, PETA Foundation Director of Animal Law Jared Goodman told the Union-Tribune, “but it’s captivity that denies these far-ranging orcas everything that is natural and important to them”.

SeaWorld has always been criticized over the captivity of the orcas, which critics describe as cruel.

Last Thursday, Manby told investors on a conference call that the San Diego location would add new attractions to boost its flagging attendance, but few observers anticipated such a surprising announcement.

He said that the move was part of a strategy that seeks to reverse falling visitor numbers at the company’s 11 parks across the US. “If they are truly stopping the orca shows and the breeding, then this has been one helluva day”. “If that is not included in this retooling, then it’s not enough”.