Seaworld (a US theme park in Orlando) has finally caved to pressure and promised to cease its breading program of Orcas (killer whales). This has been credited to the public outcry sparked by the 2013 documentary Blackfish. After the movie aired, attendance rates at the theme park plummeted and the share price dropped by 11%.

Many environmental groups have applauded Seaworld’s decision and its donation of $US50 million dollars for the purposes of ending commercial whaling and seal hunting. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), however, simply see it as a rebranding and would prefer to see the animals released.

Unfortunately, due to being raised in captivity, the existing Orcas would not survive being returned to the wild and so they will have to live out their days in the tanks. The ‘theatrical’ shows will cease and be replaced with a more respectful “natural orca encounters”.

For the full story see:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-18/blackfish-documentary-credited-with-seaworld-orca-decision/7256978

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/17/us/seaworld-last-generation-of-orcas/index.html

This entry is filed under ar.