SeaWorld to end Orca stunt shows in San Diego by 2017

In the company’s press release that highlighted several key points of the presentation, the new “Sea Rescue” roller coaster was briefly mentioned.

SeaWorld is closing the curtain on killer whale shows at its San Diego park next year.

“It’s possible, but I think the ruled and regulations in California are more onerous and play a large role in this decision making than perhaps here in the state of Florida”, said Snaith.

Manby added: “We hope that experiencing animals in our parks moves our guests to a deeper understanding of the plight of all animals – and an increasingly threatened natural environment – and inspires those guests to help conserve the world we share”.

Visitor numbers have fallen dramatically since documentary Blackfish was released in 2013, which showed the harrowing reality of an orca’s life at SeaWorld.

SeaWorld has been scored recently for its allegedly exploitative treatment of animals, particularly killer whales.

“The decision by SeaWorld to phase out killer whale shows in San Diego is a welcome step along the path towards ending the captivity of these magnificent creatures”, said Schiff.

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.

He said: ‘They [visitors] want the orca experience to be activities the whales do in the wild.

This change is set to be made by 2017, and comes after a very public backlash against SeaWorld’s practices of keeping the mammals in unnatural and cruel captivity.

An end to SeaWorld’s tawdry circus-style shows is inevitable and necessary, but it’s captivity that denies these far-ranging orcas everything that is natural and important to them.

In response, SeaWorld issued a statement saying that, “While efforts to phase out whales in human care may strike an emotional chord, SeaWorld and other science-based organizations are part of the solution, not the problem”.

During Monday’s conference call, Manby said SeaWorld Orlando was “underfunded”, announcing 2016 will be the first of five years in which the Orlando park would open a new attraction.