SeaWorld San Diego reported earlier this week that it will phase out killer whale shows at the California park by 2017. With the conclusion of the traditional whale shows, the park will introduce a new orca experience focused on the whales in their natural environments.
The change in direction for the flagship location marks a major shift for the company – a response to the increasing public demand for positive change for the animals within the park. The decision, compounded by the California Coastal Commission’s recent ban of captive breeding of the park’s killer whales, will greatly reduce the availability of orca shows in the U.S.
“SeaWorld’s announcement today that it will end its infamous orca show in San Diego is an important first step for the company; performances using orcas and other marine mammals are highly cruel and contrary to these animals’ natural behaviors,” said World Animal Protection Canadian Executive Director Josey Kitson. “However, we urge SeaWorld to phase out the captivity and breeding of marine mammals completely at all of its venues and to contribute to genuine ocean sanctuaries. As SeaWorld has acknowledged today, the welfare of marine animals is increasingly crucial to the consumer tourist public, which does not want to see wildlife exploited for entertainment. The experience of captive marine mammals is a far cry from their natural lives in the wild, causing extreme suffering and stress for these intelligent creatures."
We can applaud the Ontario government for recently passing a bill to ban orcas and to improve the welfare of marine mammals in captivity This was a huge step forward for animals.
Across the world, animals are being held captive and suffering tremendously for the purpose of tourist entertainment. Learn more about the simple steps you can take to protect animals in your travel and help keep wild animals in the wild, where they belong.
