[Niamh.]

Great news!

SeaWorld Have Announced That They Are Ending Live Orca Shows





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...r-whale-shows0

[Jamie89]

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

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Jamie89

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

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.]

Originally Posted by Who Is She?

Great news

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.]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

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]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

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 .

[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.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

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 .

Yeah I think so too

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Quasar

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.

[Jake.]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

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

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]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

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.]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

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...

Spoiler:

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by 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...

Spoiler:

wow :/

[Cherie]

Awful