Summary: SeaWorld made a bold stand by announcing today the end of their orca shows and breeding practices at all three parks.
In an announcement today, SeaWorld said it will stop breeding captive orcas and phase out the killer whale shows. The 57-year-old company has used their Orca shows as a highlight of their three theme parks.
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SeaWorld currently has 24 orcas but they will be the last generation. The shows will be replaced with “natural orca encounters.” The park has been experiencing increased criticism from animal welfare groups, especially since the 2013 release of the documentary Blackfish. The focus on the film was on the orca Tilikum, which killed trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
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The park will start with phasing out the San Diego orca shows by next year with the San Antonio and Orlando shows to be phased out by 2019. They also plan to partner with the Humane Society of the United States to strengthen conservation efforts. SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby said, “As society’s understanding of orcas continues to change, SeaWorld is changing with it. By making this the last generation of orcas in our care and reimagining how guests will encounter these beautiful animals, we are fulfilling our mission of providing visitors to our parks with experiences that matter.”
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This announcement will settle the legal dispute between SeaWorld and the California Coastal Commission over a plan to expand the orca enclosure on the condition they stop breeding the orcas. SeaWorld was challenging the requirement.
Source: http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/17/11252948/seaworld-ends-orca-breeding-program
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