Seawolrd to end Live Orca Shows

[Niamh.]

Great news!

SeaWorld Have Announced That They Are Ending Live Orca Shows

http://www.iflscience.com/sites/www.iflscience.com/files/styles/ifls_large/public/blog/%5Bnid%5D/shutterstock_325425254.jpg?itok=DvxolnBi



Finally, it’s a move we have all been waiting impatiently for: SeaWorld San Diego is to pull the plug on its orca show.

Announced online Monday in a document posted by the company, SeaWorld has said that as of next year, its killer whale performances will be phased out.

But unfortunately, that does not mean an end to orcas in captivity: These acts will be replaced with some kind of educational experience involving the animals, albeit supposedly in a more true-to-life setting. As before, SeaWorld claims that the intention is to inform and inspire, not treat the intelligent mammals as circus animals.

The decision follows a series of blows to the organization. SeaWorld quickly fell out of favor after the release of a harrowing documentary film called Blackfish, which exposed the dark truth of the supposedly conservation-centered industry. Although there were many who argued that the documentary was inaccurate and misleading, the message spoke to people and there was a large amount of public backlash. Just six months after a publication demonstrated that orcas in captivity do not live as long as their wild counterparts, the state of California banned the captive breeding of these animals in October of this year.

As part of this long-overdue ruling, SeaWorld San Diego was given the green light for a $100 million (£65 million) expansion to its killer whale tanks, although the company said they would still battle the California Coastal Commission’s decision. Now it seems they have finally backed down, and instead will invest a chunk of this money on developing a resort in the park in collaboration with Evans Hotels.

While this is fantastic news, the fight is certainly not over yet. Other states still permit the captive breeding of orcas, so until this practice is stamped out completely, we can expect to see the exploitation of these animals for entertainment purposes.

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/seaworld-finally-ending-killer-whale-shows0

[Jamie89]

It was only a matter of time. I still haven't seen Blackfish but I keep meaning to watch it.

[Niamh.]

It was only a matter of time. I still haven't seen Blackfish but I keep meaning to watch it.

It's really good but sad. This is a good step but they're still keeping the orcas captive and using them in displays

[Livia]

Good. About time. It's barbaric. I understand in future the captive ones will be held in a much more natural environment.... hopefully one day humans will realise that animals are not here purely for our entertainment.

[Cal.]

Great news :clap1:

There was a picture that was really upsetting that showed the size of the car park compared to the size of the orca tanks. I'd love them to expand the tanks but really they belong in the wild.

[Niamh.]

Great news :clap1:

There was a picture that was really upsetting that showed the size of the car park compared to the size of the orca tanks. I'd love them to expand the tanks but really they belong in the wild.

Yeah, I wonder would they even be able to survive in the wild again though after so many years in captivity? They've made it illegal in some states to breed them though so hopefully that will phase it out altogether

[kirklancaster]

I agree with all these posts. Perhaps it might lead to revisions in all animals being kept in captivity.

[Kizzy]

Great news, not sure what succeeded where Blackfish failed but it's fantastic to hear.

[Niamh.]

Great news, not sure what succeeded where Blackfish failed but it's fantastic to hear.

Seems like it was alot to do with Blackfish

[user104658]

Seems like it was alot to do with Blackfish

Yeah they've seen profits drop by bigger and bigger margins each year since it was released, and I think it just sparked a lot of activism around the subject. I'd like to think that they've had a change of heart and realised how cruel it was... however, I think it's more the case that they've had to finally conceed that people are not going to pay to see it any more and so it's just not a viable part of the business.

I doubt the whales that have been in captivity since they were young / born in captivity could survive in the wild... which is a bit concerning... I can't see them investing huge amounts on bigger habitats for them if it's only a "phasing out" process. Whales captured as adults would probably be best just released. They might not make it but I'd say a chance at freedom - if they've known freedom before - would be better than life in captivity :shrug:.

[Glenn.]

They would never survive in the wild now which is sad. There is nothing stopping them from moving the orcas into a suitable envrionment though. I think something was said at the end of Blackfish that they should be moved to an ocean enclosure.

Great news though. I actually visit Seaworld when I go to Florida but refuse to watch the whale and dolphin shows.

[Niamh.]

Yeah they've seen profits drop by bigger and bigger margins each year since it was released, and I think it just sparked a lot of activism around the subject. I'd like to think that they've had a change of heart and realised how cruel it was... however, I think it's more the case that they've had to finally conceed that people are not going to pay to see it any more and so it's just not a viable part of the business.

I doubt the whales that have been in captivity since they were young / born in captivity could survive in the wild... which is a bit concerning... I can't see them investing huge amounts on bigger habitats for them if it's only a "phasing out" process. Whales captured as adults would probably be best just released. They might not make it but I'd say a chance at freedom - if they've known freedom before - would be better than life in captivity :shrug:.

Yeah I think so too

[Niamh.]

They would never survive in the wild now which is sad. There is nothing stopping them from moving the orcas into a suitable envrionment though. I think something was said at the end of Blackfish that they should be moved to an ocean enclosure.

Great news though. I actually visit Seaworld when I go to Florida but refuse to watch the whale and dolphin shows.

an ocean enclosure would be fantastic for them

[Glenn.]

I also read on FB today about Seaworld's plans for its parks for the next few years. It basically said that the parks will evolve to meet todays demands. They're adding more rides and coasters. Hopefully all of the shows will be made exctinct. Sounds like they want to focus on more of the Theme Park aspect of the parks.

[Marsh.]

I can't wait to see the human shows with them leaping out of the water and balancing balls on their nose. :flutter:

[Jake.]

I can't wait to see the human shows with them leaping out of the water and balancing balls on their nose. :flutter:

Jay does this if you pet him nicely and throw him a kipper

[Crimson Dynamo]

Good news

Now hopefully Michelle McManus and Rik Waller will also be allowed to return to the ocean whence they came?

[Kizzy]

Seems like it was alot to do with Blackfish

Yes, looking again maybe it has it wasn't instantaneous but as said if it's made the public rail against and affect profits then I guess they'll be professing it's the an orca 'real life' experience.
Which of course it isn't.

[Niamh.]

Yes, looking again maybe it has it wasn't instantaneous but as said if it's made the public rail against and affect profits then I guess they'll be professing it's the an orca 'real life' experience.
Which of course it isn't.

No not at all but if they make that law where they can't breed them in captivity all through the states then hopefully it will eventually die out.

[Tom4784]

Finally, Not going to be happy until the Orcas are released though, the Seaworld habitats are awful and cruel.

[Kazanne]

Not before time either,it's cruel and unnatural for such magnificent animals to be imprisoned like this,set them all free,well those that could survive ,I hope they look after the ones who couldn't in a more humane way.

[Samm]

Good, now it's time to shut the whole place down next

[Ammi]

..I don't think that they showed this in Blackfish or that it was mentioned../if it was, then I missed it but I saw this pic on Imgur earlier...when the tanks are being cleaned out, the orcas are put into plastic bags....and it can't be a quick job to clean out the tanks either....


..I'll spoiler it anyway...

http://i.imgur.com/P4nObYw.jpg

[Niamh.]

..I don't think that they showed this in Blackfish or that it was mentioned../if it was, then I missed it but I saw this pic on Imgur earlier...when the tanks are being cleaned out, the orcas are put into plastic bags....and it can't be a quick job to clean out the tanks either....


..I'll spoiler it anyway...

http://i.imgur.com/P4nObYw.jpg

wow :/

[Cherie]

Awful :omgno:

[lostalex]

i thought Michael Jackson free'd Willy in like 1993 or something. :colour:

_dE4YrrAAGk

[Reg_Holdsworth_Fan]

It's quite sad actually because I've been to SeaWorld many times and their orca shows are magnificent!!!

These orcas are unbelievably talented and they can do many things that humans can't even do!!

I don't even understand why people say it's classed as "animal abuse", I don't think it is at all. It's all because of that stupid "film" BLACKFISH (yes, i watched it and i absolutely HATED it!) people are going mad and calling it "abuse".

:flower:

[Samm]

It's quite sad actually because I've been to SeaWorld many times and their orca shows are magnificent!!!

These orcas are unbelievably talented and they can do many things that humans can't even do!!

I don't even understand why people say it's classed as "animal abuse", I don't think it is at all. It's all because of that stupid "film" BLACKFISH (yes, i watched it and i absolutely HATED it!) people are going mad and calling it "abuse".

:flower:

It is abuse, they get put into a tank what is about the same size as a bath tub for them, and they are forced away from there family, some get attacked by other orcas as well.

So yes it is abuse :flower:

[Reg_Holdsworth_Fan]

It is abuse, they get put into a tank what is about the same size as a bath tub for them, and they are forced away from there family, some get attacked by other orcas as well.

So yes it is abuse :flower:

You seriously believe those myths from that stupid piece of propaganda BLACKFISH???

As I mentioned earlier, I've been to SeaWorld Orlando in person and they are so talented and skillful it's beyond belief.

People over-exaggerate these days it's so unreal, SeaWorld have been contributing greatly to animal conservation and they look after they're animals really carefully as I know many people who work there.

PETA can go fook themselves with all their vegan crap!!!

:flower:

[Samm]

You seriously believe those myths from that stupid piece of propaganda BLACKFISH???

As I mentioned earlier, I've been to SeaWorld Orlando in person and they are so talented and skillful it's beyond belief.

People over-exaggerate these days it's so unreal, SeaWorld have been contributing greatly to animal conservation and they look after they're animals really carefully as I know many people who work there.

PETA can go fook themselves with all their vegan crap!!!

:flower:

Yes I do believe it. You've only been to SeaWorld as a viewer you don't work there and the workers are obviously going to say they treat the animals well.

and I'm not a vegan or a veggi :flower:

[Reg_Holdsworth_Fan]

Yes I do believe it.
You've been fooled by their anti-SeaWorld propaganda, congratulations!!

You've only been to SeaWorld as a viewer you don't work there and the workers are obviously going to say they treat the animals well.
Yes, but I know people that work there and they say they love the animals and the animals love them and they never lie to me, they always say that the animals love them aswell.

and I'm not a vegan or a veggi :flower:
I wasn't referring to you, I was referring to those PETA scumbags who are more politically correct than the UK media.

:flower:

[Cal.]

You can claim to love an animal whilst still mistreating it. Unless you're there behind the scenes and are an expert on killer whale behaviour then I suggest you stop acting like you know everything on the matter when you CLEARLY do not. Also I think it's honestly hilarious that you call an animal charity scumbags, it shows a lot about your personality and character. What a joke you have made yourself out to be.

[Cal.]

'Political correctness is unnecessary in 2015'

You are unnecessary in 2015.

[Reg_Holdsworth_Fan]

'Political correctness is unnecessary in 2015'

You are unnecessary in 2015.

Freedom of Speech is necessary in 2015. There you go.

You can claim to love an animal whilst still mistreating it. Unless you're there behind the scenes and are an expert on killer whale behaviour then I suggest you stop acting like you know everything on the matter when you CLEARLY do not. Also I think it's honestly hilarious that you call an animal charity scumbags, it shows a lot about your personality and character. What a joke you have made yourself out to be.

I find your post quite insulting and harmful. I KNOW people who work at these organisations and they never lie to me as they are experts.

At least those whales are being looked after properly and aren't being poached or hunted by some idiots. I'd rather see animals in captivity than being poached or hunted.

PETA are scumbags and they always have been. They're just a bunch of vegan tree-huggers who think that even touching an animal is wrong.

:dog: :flower:

[user104658]

Steve-O is going to kick your arse Reg-Holdsworth-troll. We already know he's willing to go to jail for his whale brethren.

[DemolitionRed]

Freedom of Speech is necessary in 2015. There you go.



I find your post quite insulting and harmful. I KNOW people who work at these organisations and they never lie to me as they are experts.

At least those whales are being looked after properly and aren't being poached or hunted by some idiots. I'd rather see animals in captivity than being poached or hunted.

PETA are scumbags and they always have been. They're just a bunch of vegan tree-huggers who think that even touching an animal is wrong.

:dog: :flower:

I think their care workers honestly do believe they are being kind and I'm sure they do love the animals they care for but the truth is, its not kind to incarcerate animals that normally swim up to a hundred miles a day into small four walled tanks.

Dolphins are another example. A wild dolphin can live up to 90 years but captive dolphins have a life expectancy of around ten.

Both whales and dolphins rely on sonar for navigation but because their sonar signals bounce and echo off enclosed walls, it confuses these animals up to the point of some becoming insane.

Another thing is, they live and breath in chlorinated water which can affect their eyes, their breathing holes and their skin. All captive sea life that swim around in chlorinated water have a continual problem from skin ulcers.