Could this shut down SeaWorld's Orca breeding for good?

Updated
This Bill Could Shut Down SeaWorld's Orca Breeding For Good
This Bill Could Shut Down SeaWorld's Orca Breeding For Good


SeaWorld may be about to take another hit after a politician proposed shutting down Orca breeding. The theme park has been at the centre of plenty of controversy for a number of years now, but this may change everything.

California law-maker, Adam Schiff, announced a new bill that would ban the importing or breeding of Orcas for display.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Schiff said: "The evidence is very strong that the psychological and physical harm done to these magnificent animals far outweighs any benefits reaped from their display."

See also: SeaWorld accused of drugging killer whales and painting over injuries

The Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act has been backed with support from animal rights groups and representatives of both political parties in the USA.

Although it's still early days for the Orca Act, SeaWorld has been in trouble for a while.

The 2013 documentary, Blackfish, jumpstarted all of this. The film focusses specifically on how captivity can cause aggression in Orcas and it tells the story of a SeaWorld trainer who was killed while interacting with a whale.

See also: Beluga whale on loan to Seaworld dies in fight with other whales

According to Peta Kids, there have been more than 100 cases where Orcas have become aggressive towards their trainers. This may not come as a surprise to those that know that the majority of trainers and performers working at SeaWorld are not in fact animal experts.

Ever since Blackfish was released, visitor numbers at SeaWorld have steadily dropped. SeaWorld stock was also affected, falling 50% in 2014 and they also posted another disappointing quarterly earnings report earlier this month.

The decline lead to SeaWorld CEO, Jim Atchison, stepping down in January. Two months later he was replaced in his role by Joel Manby, the former president of the company that owns Dollywood.

According to the Guardian, SeaWorld has spent a staggering $15 million on campaigns for both television and social media in an attempt to improve their reputation.

Last month the California Coastal Commission banned the breeding killer whales in captivity. A legislation that SeaWorld says it will be fighting.

SeaWorld executives have complained that this will lead to a 'slow extinction' of the animals, the LA Times​ reports, while animal rights campaigners have hailed the decision as a small victory.



SeaWorld Profits Continue to Freefall
SeaWorld Profits Continue to Freefall


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