SeaWorld, which has spent the past three years defending its very existence after the release of the documentary Blackfish, announced yet another major change to the way the amusement parks work. The company said today that it will stop the breeding of orcas, better known as killer whales.
SeaWorld announced that the current generation of orcas will be the last. They will continue to not capture wild orcas, which they have not done in almost 40 years. All of the current orcas at SeaWorld parks were born at the parks or in human care. However, this doesn’t mean that SeaWorld will suddenly release the orcas they currently have.
“These majestic orcas will not be released into the ocean, nor confined to sea cages,” the company said. “They could not survive in oceans to compete for food, be exposed to unfamiliar diseases or to have to deal with environmental concerns – including pollution and other man-made threats.”
The company said that the orcas will “live long and healthy lives under love and care of our dedicated veterinary and other trained specialists where they can inspire this and future generations to be conservationists around the world through natural presentations that are fun, exciting and will educate guests about the plight of orcas in the wild.”
SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby also wrote an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times, further explaining the decision. Although shows with orcas will end, the animals will still “receive the highest-quality care, based on the latest advances in marine veterinary medicine, science and zoological best practices,” Manby said.
The company, which has parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego, has been on the defensive since Blackfish’s release in 2013. The documentary focused on the park’s care of its animals, including the famous killer whales that act as its primary logo. They have implemented several changes to combat the criticism.