SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — San Diego SeaWorld has announced its decision to end killer whale shows by the end of next year.
These majestic and adorable whales put on quite a show, but many have come to believe orca — or killer whale — performances are not in the best interests of either the whales or their human trainers.
On November 10, 2015, SeaWorld's chief executive Joel Manby, said San Diego's "theatrical killer whale experience" will end in late 2016. The company says it will replace the famous "Shamu Show" with a new orca experience that will be focused on the "natural environment" of the whales.
The 2013 documentary, Blackfish, might have had a lot more to do with SeaWorld's decision than they'd care to admit. Focusing on the 12,000 pound bull orca Tilikum, the film showed his capture in 1983 off the coast of Iceland, explored his possible harassment by fellow captive orcas, and documented the circumstances that led to Tilikum's involvement in the death of three humans.
When released, SeaWorld was highly displeased with the film, calling it "inaccurate," "misleading," and "distorted," but Blackfish seems to have changed a lot of minds about keeping orcas in captivity.
SeaWorld is not planning on releasing any of its captive creatures and will stop the shows only at its San Diego Park — which saw visitor numbers drop 17% last year.
Killer whale theatrical performances will continue at SeaWorld Parks in San Antonio and Orlando.
What do you think? Is it time to end making whales jump around for our amusement? Or is this issue not quite so black and white? Is SeaWorld genuinely changing? Or is this just a P.C. PR move to placate animal-huggers in California?
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